A Sacrament

Baptism is a Sacrament. In our Catholic Faith, the Sacraments have a tremendous importance. We believe that Jesus Christ instituted the seven Sacraments as the means by which He would share His life with us.

 

The technical term for the divine life of Jesus Christ dwelling in us is “sanctifying grace.” The Sacraments are actions (or “outward signs”) through which we are actually and really united to Jesus Christ, and through which He shares His life with us. Baptism must always be the first Sacrament one receives, and so is the gateway to the whole life of grace.

 

Your duties

As great a gift as Baptism is, it is only the first moment of the Christian life. Consider this parallel: a child who has been given the gift of (natural) life must continue to be fed in order to survive. Likewise, a child who has been baptized must be brought up in the practice of the Faith in order for the life of Jesus that has been received to survive and flourish.

 

Baptism assumes a well-founded hope that you will bring your child up in the practice of the Faith. This means that when you ask to have a child baptized, you should be resolved to:

 

• teach your child to pray

• teach your child by word and example to lead a virtuous life

• attend Mass on Sundays, making this a part of your child’s life

• teach your child the Catholic faith.

 

At least one parent should be willing to make this commitment. Ideally, of course, both parents would be fully committed to this effort.

 

Role of a sponsor/godparent

A sponsor/godparent is asked to make a commitment to help the parents raise their child in the practice of the Catholic Faith.

This can best be done by:

 

• giving good example in living the Faith

• encouraging the child in virtue and religious practice

• praying for the child.

 

Sponsors/Godparents do not take on any specific responsibility to provide physical care for the child in the case of the death or disability of the parents.

 

Requirements for sponsors

Since a godparent is “sponsoring” a child for membership in the Catholic Church, he or she must be a practicing Catholic who has received the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation). A sponsor should normally be at least 16 years of age, as a confirmed person would usually be.

An essential aspect of being a practicing Catholic is living in accord with the Catholic understanding of marriage. Therefore, if a sponsor/godparent is married he or she must be in a validly recognized Catholic marriage. If a sponsor/godparent is not married, he or she must not be living with his or her significant other.

Sponsors may be asked to provide a recent copy of their baptismal certificate to serve as proof of receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Marriage, if applicable. Sponsors who are members of another parish are additionally asked to provide proof of membership via a signed letter by the pastor accompanied by a parish seal.

 

Only one sponsor is required. There may be (and usually are) two sponsors; in this case, there must be one male and one female. 

Since one must be a full member of the Catholic Church to sponsor another person to be received into the communion of the Catholic Church, only Catholics can be sponsors/godparents. However, if a child being baptized has only one sponsor/godparent, a non-catholic Christian may serve as an additional witness of the Baptism and be recorded as such.

 

Baptismal preparation

At Divine Mercy Parish, parents of children to be baptized are asked to attend a baptismal preparation session. Call or email Fr. Miguel to schedule the session.

​

The ceremony

Because Sunday is the day of the Lord’s Resurrection, it is the preferred day for Baptism. At Divine Mercy Parish, Baptisms generally take place immediately after the 10:30 AM Sunday or Saturday Vigil Mass. If weekends are not an option, a Baptism could we celebrated during the weekday.

 

It is customary (but not obligatory) that the child to be baptized wears white garments for the ceremony. Everything else required for the ceremony is supplied by the parish.

 

Everyone is welcome to attend the Mass and the Baptism. If you have non-catholic relatives or friends who would prefer not to attend the Mass, they are most welcome to come after Mass for the Baptism.