. . .All Authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

-Matthew 28:18-19

Baptism is the sacrament of faith. Through Baptism we are born to new life, for it is by its sanctifying grace we are freed from sin, incorporated into the Church, and sealed to Christ. It is the basis of the whole Christian life, and the door through which we gain entry to the other Sacraments. Christian initiation is three-fold, accomplished by Baptism, our spiritual rebirth; Confirmation, our strengthening with the gifts of the Holy Spirit; and the Eucharist, our body and soul’s intimate communion with the Body and Blood of Christ.

Although Canon law states that infants are to be baptized shortly after birth, any age is the right age; no one should be reluctant to contact the church to schedule a baptism because his or her child is now a toddler, or even in elementary school. Once a person reaches the age of discernment, generally by seven, parents and godparents no longer speak for the child. At this point, he or she can profess personal faith and should be enrolled in the parish CCD program. If your unbaptized child’s developmental stage is similar to that of a second grader preparing for First Communion, you may contact the parish office and ask about preparation for Baptism in conjunction with First Communion. Older children and teens will be instructed through the RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children) and receive all three Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

Because infant baptism depends on the faith of the Church and not of the child, it is expected that godparents be confirmed and practicing Catholics and Catholic parents not only consent to the Baptism, but intend to raise that child in the Catholic faith by word and example. Specific information about the baptism of children is available on the website under “forms.” Adults wishing to be baptized should attend parish RCIA classes. To learn more, contact the pastor or Director of Education.

Although certain temporal consequences of sin remain and we retain the sinful inclinations against which we struggle, aided by the grace of the Sacrament of Confession, the baptized have been purified, justified and sanctified. They have “put on Christ” and from that day forward the life they live is not theirs alone, but his. Incorporated into Christ by baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of Salvation. Given once for all, Baptism cannot be repeated.

-The Catechism of the Catholic Church, pp1272.