Baptism

Baptism is the beginning of life in Christ and the doorway into the Church. When a child is baptized, parents, godparents, and the whole parish community promise to help that child grow in faith, love, and friendship with Jesus.

If you are preparing to have your child baptized, we are grateful to walk with you. Your parish will help you prepare for the celebration, understand the promises made at Baptism, and find support as your family continues growing in faith.

For Parents

To begin, contact the parish where you currently participate or where you hope to have your child baptized. Baptism for infants and young children generally includes newborns through age six.

• Ideally, babies are to be baptized within the first weeks after birth.

• Connecting with the parish at least four months before or after the birth of the child allows time for the necessary information gathering, formation, and preparation for the celebration.

• If you hope to have your child baptized at a parish other than where you live, you will be asked to obtain a letter from the parish in your local geography permitting clergy at the non-resident parish to celebrate the baptism.

Choosing Godparents

Godparents have a beautiful and important role. They support parents as the first teachers of the faith and help nurture the child’s relationship with God and the Church.

Church law requires one fully initiated, practicing Catholic as a godparent for baptism, though it allows a maximum of two, one male and one female. Each godparent is someone who is:

• at least 16 years old,

• fully initiated in the Catholic Church through receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, 

• striving to be a faithful witness to Jesus Christ, especially by participating in Mass regularly,

• in a valid marriage recognized by the Catholic Church or a single person who is not cohabiting, and

• ready and able to accept the responsibilities of a godparent.

Non-Catholics may serve as witnesses to a baptism but may not be officially recorded as godparents.

Bishop Ruggieri’s Podcast: The Gift of Baptism (Catechism Series Part 22) - Auspice Maria Ep 52 | Diocese of Portland.