Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), 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.”

This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to “plunge” or “immerse”; the “plunge” into the water symbolizes the catechumen’s burial into Christ’s death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as “a new creature.”

This sacrament is also called “the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one “can enter the kingdom of God.”

“This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding… ” Having received in Baptism the Word, “the true light that enlightens every man,” the person baptized has been “enlightened,” he becomes a “son of light,” indeed, he becomes “light” himself:

Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift… We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God’s Lordship.

Cathechism of the Catholic Church #1213-1216

To schedule your child’s baptism

please call the Office at (305) 759-4531

or submit your application below

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.
Cathechism of the Catholic Church #1250

Baptism Requirements

• Complete and submit registration form below
• Birth certificate
• You may have 1 or 2 Godparents
  • One of the Godparents must be Catholic. If the second Godparent is not Catholic, then he/she will be listed as a “Christian Witness”.
    
  • If you would like 2 Godparents, one must be a male and the other one a female.
  • If the Godparents live out of town, they can take the class at their parish and have a letter sent to The Cathedral of Saint Mary from their parish stating that the class was completed.

Godparent Requirements

According to Canon Law 874

§1. To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:

1. be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish-priest or the minister; to be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it;
2. be not less than 16 years of age…;
3. 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;
4. not labor under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared;
5. not be either the father or the mother of the person to be baptised.

§2. A baptised person who belongs to a non-catholic ecclesial community may be admitted only in company with a catholic sponsor, and then simply as a witness to the baptism.

You will receive a call from a Baptism team member

You will be required to attend a Sunday Mass (TBD) followed by a Baptism class (for parents, godparents, and child)

Are you an adult or young adult
seeking to be baptized?

Join RCIA today!

“RCIA” stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the process by which an adult person can receive any or all of the initial sacraments Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion. RCIA is also the way for someone to enter and be initiated into the Catholic Church.