Baptism by Age Group

Baptism of Infants

Before your child is baptised, diocesan guidelines advise that parents should attend a pre-baptism course as part of a baptism preparation course. Please see below for more information.

Baptism of Older Children

• Children presented for baptism or seeking baptism between the ages of 7 and 14 are regarded as children of catechetical age. They should be prepared for the sacrament following the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Children, part of the RCIA.
• Children under the age of seven, presented for baptism by their parents, should be baptised following the usual preparation appropriate for infants – see Baptism of Infants above.
• Young people from the age of 14 should be prepared for the sacrament following the normal adult RCIA process.

Baptism of Adults

The norm for adults seeking baptism is to follow the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults in their local parish and to be baptised at the Easter Vigil when it is discerned they are ready, following the scrutinies of the RCIA.

Baptism Registration Form

Please contact the parish office for a baptism application — or fill it in online. The information submitted will be used to enter your baby’s details in the church register, which is a permanent record of baptism. A baptism certificate with the details from the register will be sent to you on the day of the ceremony. 

Baptism Preparation Course

Parents of children to be baptised are expected to attend a baptism preparation. The course is very relaxed. Non-Catholics are also most welcome, and there are no exams or tests! It is also a perfect opportunity to meet other parents in the parish. Places are for those whose children are to be baptised in the parish only and places for attendees must be pre-booked via the parish office. If you would like to attend, please contact the parish office as soon as possible so that a place can be booked for you.

Godparents/Sponsors

According to Canon Law

Canon Law is the body of laws and regulations that govern the Catholic Church and all its members.

• Can. 872: In so far as possible, a person to be baptised is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptised person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfil faithfully the obligations inherent in it.
• Can. 873: One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient; but there may be two, one of each sex.
• Can. 874 §1: To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person MUST:: be designated by the one to be baptised, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function
  have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
• be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken; not labour under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared;
• not be the father or mother of the one to be baptised.

Can we have Non-Catholic Godparents?

See the above requirements of Canon Law regarding godparents. A godparent MUST be a Confirmed Catholic, who has received the Blessed Eucharist and who is a practising Catholic. You need at least ONE Catholic godparent. Any other person of another religion will still play an important role in the life of your child but is recognised and recorded in the Baptism Register and on the Baptism certificate as a Christian ‘Witness’ and not a Godparent.

Further information

Naming Ceremony

On the Sunday usually before the baptism your child will be named and anointed with the oil of catechumens at one of the Sunday Masses (that you normally attend). This is the first part of the Rite of Baptism. You will need to arrange with the parish office which Mass you will be attending. It is nice if the godparents can attend this but it is not compulsory for them since they may live at a great distance etc.

On the day of the Baptism

Please ensure that you are seated at least 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony. We provide a baptism candle for your child but you are also welcome to provide your own if you have a special one. The candle is lit from the Paschal (Easter) candle, symbolic of the light of Christ, to shine forth in the life of the baptised.

What the child should wear

It is important that you bring a white garment with you (a baby shawl or white blanket will suffice), which is placed over the child at the appropriate moment in the ceremony. The white garment symbolises that your Child has ‘put on Christ’. It is symbolic of new life in Christ, to be worn throughout our lives.

Church Offering

It is customary to make an offering to the church on these occasions although there is no charge to receive a sacrament. A donation envelope will be available should you wish to make a contribution.