Baptism

For a child to be baptized in the Catholic Faith, there must be a basis for hope that the child will be raised in the Catholic faith. In practice, this means that at least one parent is Catholic. Like many dioceses in the United States, our Diocese requires parents to participate in Baptism preparation before the baptism of their children.

Register for and participate in a baptism preparation session. Provide written proof of attendance if this session was attended at any other parish.

Please call the Rectory Office to schedule a Baptism Session at 283-2715 x 200.

Required Forms click here: "Your Child's Baptism"

Be registered participating members of our parish or provide a letter of permission from your pastor of the Catholic Church in which you are registered.

Our baptism session is designed to help you reflect spiritually on being new parents and recognize that baptism is the beginning of a lifelong commitment. We will discuss the theology of the sacrament of baptism, as well as practical aspects of the ceremony itself. It is a great way to meet other parents in the parish and to answer any questions you may have.

Please call the Rectory Office to schedule a Baptism Session at 283-2715 x 200.

Please call the Rectory Office to schedule a Baptism Session at 283-2715 x 200.

St. Vincent de Paul welcomes every parent to bring your child forward for baptism, no matter what your circumstances may be; however, an effort to raise the union to a valid status should be considered.

• Registered members of a parish.
• Must be a practicing Roman Catholic, i.e., one who attends Mass and receives the Sacraments regularly. Also, has received all three Sacraments of Initiation themselves (baptism, Eucharist, confirmation)
• The reason a Godparent must be a practicing Roman Catholic is that a Godparent is expected to pay special attention to the efforts of the person who is being baptized to live a Christian life in keeping with the teachings of the Roman Catholic faith. Godparents or sponsors are also expected to assist the parents (of the child) in their Christian duty as parents, by offering them support through good example living and practicing the faith, encouragement and prayer.

• Choose baptismal Godparent who is practicing their faith.
• Choose Godparent who will take an active role in the faith formation of the child.
• The church requires at least one Godparent who is a practicing, confirmed Catholic age 16 or older.
• People who are not baptized Christians cannot be Godparents or Christian Witnesses for baptism, since they themselves are not baptized.
• In some cases there may be a non-Catholic witness in addition to one Catholic Godparent, but this must be someone who is baptized in a non-Catholic Christian community and not someone who has left the Catholic Church.
• Baptized non-Catholic practicing Christians may not be Godparents; however, they may be Christian witnesses for your child. Keep in mind that you must have one Godparent along with one Christian Witness. One must be a practicing Catholic.
• Parents of the child cannot be Godparents.
• Choose people who are married under the guides of the Church.
• Divorced individuals may be Godparents however, if they have remarried without an annulment from the Church they may not be Godparents.

No fee is required, but many parents choose to make a donation at the time of the child's baptism.

A white garment is an ancient sign of the newly baptized Christian's new life in Christ. Your child's baptismal garment need not be a traditional baptismal or christening gown; it can be any clothing that is mainly white.

After the baptism, a baptism certificate will be mailed to the parent(s). Please keep in a safe place; certificates are needed for verification for reception of other sacraments.

There is no age limit, but infants are generally baptized between one and six months old.