Baptism

Important: Please call the Director of Adult & Family Ministry for information on baptismal preparation and baptism dates.

Baptism Overview
Baptism of Those Over 7 Years of Age
Baptism of Infants
   Parents
   Sponsors (Godparents)
   Christian Witness
Additional Information

Overview
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 daughters and sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.

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Baptism of Those over 7 Years of Age
All unbaptized people over seven years of age enter the Church through the “Restored Rite”, known as the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). Contact the Director of Adult & Family Ministry for details.

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Baptism of Infants
Baptism of infants is celebrated during Sunday liturgies, the day of Christ's resurrection. Parents must attend a baptism preparation class prior to scheduling their child’s baptism. Contact the Director of Adult & Family Ministry for details.

The Church does not celebrate the sacrament of baptism during Lent or from the beginning of Advent until after the first of the calendar year.

Parents
The Catholic parent(s) of a child to be baptized must be registered, practicing member(s) of St. Francis Borgia Parish; or have the written permission of the pastor of the home parish in which they are registered.

Sponsors (Godparents)
Sponsors should be carefully chosen as they will be examples of faith to the children they sponsor for entrance into the Christian community. There may be one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each. Sponsors must be confirmed Catholics, sixteen or older, who are registered members of a Catholic parish.

Christian Witness
In addition to the sponsor(s) the parents also may choose to have a Christian Witness from another Christian tradition.

A Christian Witness must be a baptized, practicing Christian in his or her own tradition. Persons who are not baptized, practicing Christians (defined as registered members of a church) may not act as Christian witnesses.

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Additional Information
For information on any aspect of baptism for children or adults, contact the Director of Adult and Family Ministry at 377-1070, ext. 241 or send an e-mail.

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