Baptism
"We were buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so too may we live a new life." (Romans 6:4)
In the Sacrament of Baptism, original sin and all personal sins, as well as punishment for those sins, are forgiven and we become members of the Body of Christ sharing in His divinity and eternal life. Along with Communion and Confirmation, it is one of the Sacraments of Initiation that gives access to the full sacramental life of the Church.
During the rite, the priest or deacon pours water over the head of the person to be baptized while saying the Trinitarian formula (i.e., “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”) and anoints the person’s forehead with holy oil to show that the candidate now shares in everlasting life and participates in God’s glory as a member of His body. The newly baptized receives a white garment and a candle lit from the paschal candle to indicate the newly baptized Christian carries the light of Christ into the world.
The usual minister of the sacrament is a priest or deacon but any person can baptize someone in an emergency.
Infant Baptisms
Through your child’s Sacrament of Baptism, you, the child’s parent(s), affirm that you will raise your child in the practice of the Catholic faith. Infant Baptisms generally take place on the second and fourth weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of the Month.
- The parent(s) call the parish office at 609-645-7313 to schedule the Baptism and complete the registration form.
- The Pastor will call the family to set a meeting before the Baptism. At the meeting, our pastor will discuss details, review the Baptism Registration Form and help you to prepare for your child’s reception of the Sacrament of Baptism.
Requirements:
- The parent(s) must registered in the parish.
- The parent(s) must bring their child’s birth certificate to the Parish Office
- There must be a Godparent; although two Godparents – one male and one female – is preferable.
- At least one Godparent must be Catholic. (An unbaptized person cannot serve as a Godparent as they cannot give witness to the Catholic faith. A non-Catholic Christian can be a Christian witness.) The Catholic Godparent must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation, and, if married, must be married validly in the Catholic Church.
- The Godparent(s) must be at least 14 years old.
- The Catholic Godparent must obtain a Godparent Sponsorship Eligibility Form from his/her own parish. (Click here for a sample copy.)
- A Baptismal offering is greatly appreciated. The parents of the person being baptized are asked to make a donation to the church before or at the time of the Baptism in the name of the new member. These contributions help to defray the operational costs of maintaining the parish and allow the parish to continue doing good works.
Adult Baptisms
- For adult Baptisms, please contact the parish office at 609-645-7313.