Baptism

Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. (John 3:5)

The sacrament of baptism ushers us into the divine life, cleanses us from sin, and initiates us as members of the Christian community. It is the foundation for the sacramental life.

At baptism, the presider prays over the water:
Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit. (Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A)

Freed from Sin

Baptism frees us from the bondage of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Today, the sacrament of baptism is often performed on infants, shortly after birth. Adult baptisms take place at the Easter Vigil through the restored Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Adults or children who have been baptized in a valid Christian church are not baptized again in the Catholic church. As we say in the Nicene Creed, “I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”

The Catechism teaches:
"The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ" (CCC 1279).

Baptismal Symbols

  • Water – The waters of baptism recall Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal as we begin a new life in Christ. We are washed clean of sin.
  • Oil – At baptism we are anointed into the life of Christ as “priest, prophet and king.” A cross is traced on the candidate’s forehead as a reminder that we are inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
  • Light – The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal or Easter candle that stands in the church as a sign of Christ’s light in the world. At baptism, we receive the light of Christ and are called forth to share this light with the world.
  • White garment – The white garment that is placed upon us at baptism is a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection. Likewise, the white garment or pall that is placed over the coffin at the time of death recalls our baptismal promises and reminds us that we are destined for eternal life.
While in ordinary circumstances, sacraments in the Catholic Church are administered validly by a member of the ordained clergy, in an emergency situation, the sacrament of baptism can be administered by anyone.

In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pour water on the candidates head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).

Baptisms at our parish

Requirements for Baptisms at Saint Paul R.C. Church:

  • Be a registered member of our parish, or have a letter of delegation from your parish giving us authority to baptize your child.
  • To register a child for Baptism - call our parish secretary for an appointment. 
  • Provide a copy of the child's birth certificate
  • If the child is 7 years of age or older, the child must go through the Rite of Christian Initiation (see Religious Education)
  • Select a godparent who meets all the requirements and can provide a "Letter of Eligibility" from their pastor testifying that they meet all the requirements.
  • A minimum of $25 donation is requested.
  • Once each of the above has been achieved, then a date can be set for the baptism.

Godparents & Letters of Eligibility:

Godparents are called to lead the child to God, by their own example, and to teach the faith, to correct when the child goes astray, and to pray continually for the child's salvation. It is a great honor to be chosen as a godparent, but one should not accept this role lightly because it is a great responsibility.


To care for the child's soul and to ensure the child has a good guide to lead them to our Lord, the Catholic Church has imposed various requirements for those to serve as godparents:

  • Must be an Active Catholic participating in Sunday Mass every week.
  • Must regularly contribute to the parish to support its mission.
  • If living with a partner, must be married together through the Catholic Church.
  • Must be at least 16 years old.
  • Must have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation).
  • Must not be in serious sin.
  • If you have children, one should raise them in the Catholic faith (Baptized and if age 7 or older should be in Catholic School or in a parish religious education program)


In addition, our parish requires that anyone from our parish seeking to be a godparent must be a registered member for at least three months and should be using envelopes to consistently support our parish family.