Baptism
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Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),4 and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
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Why Baptism?
Baptism is a gift from God to humanity. Baptism initiates us into the family of God and cleanses us of sin. We do not need to earn this gift.
Baptism makes one a member of the body of Christ and incorporates one into the Church, sharing in its mission. The principal effects of Baptism are purification from sins and a new birth in the Holy Spirit.
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- How is Baptism Performed?
- Why Do We Baptize Babies?
- How Do I Get My Child Baptized?
- How Do I Get Baptized as an Adult?
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives us the most important reasons why we must baptize infants:
Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called. The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant baptism. The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer baptism shortly after birth (CCC 1250).
The Lord explicitly “called infants” to himself in Luke 18:15-17:
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciple saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Source: Catholic Answers (see full article)
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The Catholic Church baptizes all ages — from infant through adulthood.
Baptism is the first of three Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church, the other two being Confirmation and Eucharist. Through Baptism we are incorporated into the body of Christ.
We ask that you meet with the Priest to learn more and schedule the sacrament. Get started by contacting our pastor!
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The Catholic Church baptizes all ages — from infant through adulthood.
If you were already baptized in another church using water and the Trinitarian Formula, the Church considers this a valid baptism with no need to repeat. In the Catholic Church, Baptism serves as the first sacrament one receives when entering the Catholic Faith. It is a sacrament of initiation (which you can only receive one time), meaning once you received it, you officially enter into the body of Christ — the Catholic Church. The recipient receives justifying and sanctifying grace when baptized, and the Holy Spirit begins to dwell within them.
The next step — whether you have been baptized already or whether you have not been baptized — is to learn more about the Catholic Faith through our RCIA Program.
Get Started by Contacting our pastor!
