Congratulations on your baby! If you are new to the parish, or if the priest would like to get you know better, the pastor may ask to meet with both parents and obtain information from you for the Baptism.
DEDICATE CHILD TO MARY
At the end of the baptism, it is customary for many to dedicate their child to the Virgin Mary, asking Our Lady to watch over and protect the child and help the child to obtain heaven. The dedication is also a way in which the Virgin Mary will help the child to come to know their vocation in life whether that is coming to know the person to marry or to be a religious sister or a priest.
The priest will dedicate the child to Mary for the couple, just a Jesus was dedicated in the Temple, by Simeon the priest.
SCHEDULE BAPTISM
Call the parish office to schedule the baptism. A form will need to be filled out which will ask questions like date and city of birth, names of godparents, etc.
We provide the candle and baptismal garment for you. The garment is handmade by a parishioner.
You will provide the baptismal clothing for the baptism.
Catholics must have fully initiated Catholic as godparents; that is Godparents in a Catholic baptism needs to be a practicing Catholic and also needs to have received the three sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. A Godparent cannot be expected to mentor a Godchild if the Godparent himself/herself hasn’t received all of the sacraments of initiation.
Though not recommended, a person who is not Catholic but is a member of a Christian Church with a valid baptism and who has received that valid Baptism in their own church can act as a Christian Witness for the child. In that case, the other sponsor needs to be a fully initiated practicing Catholic.
