Important:  If your child is 7 years old, he or she must take the catechesis for the children’s program (RCIC).  Parents, do not need to take the Baptism class and you don’t need to register your child here for Baptism.

Please visit Faith Formation for more details

Prayer for Baptism

We have been called by the Lord to be a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people he has acquired for himself. Let us ask him to show his mercy to these children, who are to receive the graces of Baptism, to their parents and godparents, and to all the baptized everywhere.

“Through Baptism may these children become God’s own beloved sons and daughters.”
-Rite of Baptism for Children, 47 

The Sacrament of Baptism

“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.
Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons (and daughters) of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission…”
-Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1213)

Please watch Fr. Mike Schmitz’s video reflection on Baptism

https://www.facebook.com/AscensionPress/videos/10155930976720832

“For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents’ help is important. So too is the role of the godparent, who must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized on the road of Christian life.”
-CCC 1255

Qualifications and Role of a Catholic Godparent

Question asked of godparents: Are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian (Catholic) parents?

Step 1:

Only one godfather or one godmother or one of each (Canon 873)

Step 2:

To help the baptized person to lead a Catholic Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it (Canon 872).

• A mature Catholic who will establish a lifelong faith relationship and be willing to walk with the child on their faith journey.
• A Catholic role model (coach) for the child.

Step 3:

A Catholic who is at least 16 years old (Canon 874, §1, 2º) and has received the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads an active life of faith.

• Be a practicing Catholic who attends Mass and receives the Sacraments regularly.
• Knows, understands and participates in the Catholic Church community.

Step 4:

If the godparent is married, the marriage must be valid and recognized as a marriage in the Catholic Church. (Canon 874, §1, 3°)

Step 5:

The godparent cannot be the father or mother of the one to be baptized (Canon 874, §1, 5º).

Step 6:

Only with a Catholic godparent can a baptized, non-Catholic person serve as a Christian Witness of the Baptism (Canon 874, §2).

• A Catholic who lacks the requirements to be a Godparent of a Catholic who is now practicing a non-Catholic faith cannot serve as a Christian witness.

Step 7:

A godparent who is not a parishioner at Mother Seton must have their home parish provide a letter confirming active participation.

Step 8:

Questions:
English or Spanish: Juliana Ordonez 301.444.3496 or email:reled@mothersetonparish.org