The baptism does not need to be performed by a priest; any baptized Christian (even a non-Catholic) can perform a valid baptism. Baptism is not denied if the parents are unmarried or not married in the Roman Catholic Church. By carefully choosing a church, the godparents or sponsors, and a celebration venue, you can easily plan a baptism for every person from a baby to an adult. Respect the person’s decision if she chooses to not be a godparent or sponsor. 6. Baptism becomes our commitment to grow in this new life and to strive to acquire spiritual maturity. Give your guests a favor by which to remember the day. You must have at least one sponsor, but usually infants get one of each gender and often from each side of the family. It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Current canonical law requires the Trinitarian formula and water for validity. Local schools may also be available to hire. The child must have at least one godparent, although most will have two, and the parents may be required to attend a couple of preparation sessions with a priest beforehand in order for him to be satisfied that they’re aware of their responsibilities for the child’s religious education. Please note. Baptism is the sacrament of faith which has the Risen Christ as its source, and it is the offer of salvation for all people. Last Updated: January 9, 2021 Inform guests of any gift policy you may have. Some people do not use any post-baptism celebration at all. Things Needed to Prove to refute Infant Baptism. Show. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. However, in the Catholic Church, adults can also have one or two godparents. We celebrate baptism with images of Christ, candles, white garments and gifts for all those who participate. Let your guests know if children may attend and if you’ve included supervisors or activities for young guests. Schedule the date at least four weeks in advance. The pastor of the church where the baptism will take place can advise you on what is appropriate for a celebration. It depends on what church you go to, and the baptism date. Christ the King & Holy Spirit Churches | 3010 E Chandler Ave, Evansville, IN 47714. Infant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children.In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism, or pedobaptism, from the Greek pais meaning "child". Other familiar symbols include the baptismal font, scriptural readings and prayers, and godparents. Price: $155.00. However, there may be reason to postpone Baptism if parents are not practicing the Faith, or have no intention of living a Catholic life in harmony with the Gospel. The Sanctifying Role of the Church (Code of Canon Law, c. 842, 849; Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213, 1263, 1265, 1267-1270). 1214 This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite … Are you living in a parish other than the one in which you wish to have your child baptized? Baptism, according to Mary Collins, OSB, is always about relationships. You can also ask a friend or family member to take pictures of the day. Send your invitations by post so the formality of the baptism is clear. On the grounds that there has been a development of doctrine in the Church, the author of Doors to the Sacred affirms that, Contemporary theology and religious education texts now speak of Baptism as incorporating a person into the life of Christ which is continued in t… This depends upon the church and method of baptism. Ask if there are any classes, examinations, or training you require before you can be baptized. When should I have my child baptized? If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Meet with local transportation companies and ask about buses or limousines. Consider factors such as how the congregation’s style and beliefs fit in with yours, as well as if the size can accommodate the number of people you want to attend. Include RSVP cards so you can get a head count on the ceremony and for any celebration you are hosting, especially if you are serving food. • Parents must provide the Child’s certified birth certificate. Make several possible godparent or sponsor choices in case your first choice declines. Parents are encouraged to baptize their child within the first … Find a church at least a few months in advance so you can get to know the congregation and it can get to know you. 1. Meet with a photographer if you want professional photos. Every person being baptized must have a sponsor, traditionally called a godparent. They cannot be a parent or grandparent or under 16. Consider hiring a separate supervisor or babysitter for child guests. For example, you can write “no gifts, please” on the invitation if you just want people to enjoy the ceremony and celebration. By using our site, you agree to our. You’ll also need to choose friends or family members to be godparents for the person being baptized. Ask friends or family members to help you out if you need it. Discuss incorporating the traditions with your clergy member, who can help you plan where best to use them. Make sure to ask the church and venue if and what type of decorations they allow. 1. In the Middle … Discuss these with the clergy to see if they are possible at the church. Decide how many people you want to attend, including if it is adult-only or something for children as well. It is administered by washing with natural water and at the same time invoking the Most Holy Trinity. Buy decorations at party supply stores. You are required to take your Baptismal Preparation in the parish in which you reside and then receive a testimonial letter from your Parish Priest to have your child baptized in another parish. If you want to be honest, politely explain that you don't have the financial resources to attend such an event. In fact, when the life of the person being baptized is in danger, even a non-baptized person who does not himself believe in Christ can perform a valid baptism, so long as he does so with the proper intent. If you are not registered parishioners, please consider becoming involved in the prayer and celebration of the Sunday Eucharistic community. This includes the date, time and any other arrangements for the special day. Churches, especially prominent ones get booked fast, so it’s best to call … I thought it might be helpful for folks into this stuff. The child is baptized in the faith of their parents, godparents and of the Church. Learn more... A baptism, which is also called a christening, is an important time in the life of any person entering the Christian faith. D.  Other Information (Catechism of the Catholic Church 857). Requirements for Baptism • Parents must be members of a Catholic Parish. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Ask the prospective godparents or sponsors if they are willing to act in this capacity. Magnets or a small box of candies with the date are options you may want to consider. Is a party still appropriate if we failed to baptize my son as an infant and are now baptizing him as a 1.5 year old toddler? WHAT IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED? This can allow everyone to enjoy the service and celebration without worrying about children causing trouble. Made in Italy 24k Gold Plated Baptism Set. Even better, chose those who will be good examples to your child. A baptized person who belongs to another Christian community may be admitted only as a “Christian witness” (not a godparent) provided that there is at least one Roman Catholic godparent who fulfills the above criteria. Make sure the number of guests you want to invite can fit into the church and any party venue. Ask any questions you may have that arise from the conversation. Basic Guidelines and Information for Infant (to include young children) Baptism (Code of Canon Law, cc. "It helps me to be more prepared for an upcoming event for my baby. Coordinate dates with loved ones if you absolutely want them to attend, especially godparents or sponsors. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. A. The matter of a sacrament is the physical signs that are used. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Furthermore, the invitation to connect with one’s own proper parish first is founded on the hope that the faith-life of the family and of the one(s) to be baptized will be lived in community and not in isolation. Make a list of any expectations and wishes you have for the baptism. You will need a baptism tank, a towel, water, a change of clothes, and a tarp to protect the ground from getting wet. For tips on how to arrange a meal to celebrate the baptism, read on! You can always send along a gift of your choosing even if declining. In order to respect your request for the baptism of your child, you are invited to follow closely the stages of preparation offered below: While baptismal preparation varies from parish to parish, you will be invited to participate in some manner of faith formation prior to the baptism of your child. Your marital status will be clarified during the baptismal preparation process. Have contingency plans if anything should fall through such as the church or clergy member. This may take the form of a meeting(s) with the pastor, pastoral assistant, or participation in a baptismal preparation session for parents. For example, if you decide to include children, you may want child supervisors or activities to keep them busy. References. I have kids who are 20, 14 and 10 years old who need be baptized. They must be in good standing with the Church. For a Catholic christening to take place, at least one parent must be a practising Catholic. In most cases, godparents provide spiritual support and nurturing to a child, while a sponsor can guide a child or an adult being baptized. Give guests different options for food such as vegetarian, meat, or fish selections. If your status is not in harmony with the Roman Catholic understanding of sacramental marriage, please inquire as to how we may help you enter into proper sacramental marriage or, if need be, seek a declaration of nullity by the Church. You'll need that Baptismal Certificate for just about everything in the life to come-CCD registration, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and heaven forefend, Annulment. GODPARENTS: A person may only have one or two godparents (also called sponsors); if two are chosen, they must be male and female. • Parents must attend a Baptismal class and Godparents /Sponsors are encouraged to also attend. For example, the Catholic Church requires education in the Catholic faith before being baptized as an adult. Youth Protection Policies, Procedures and Best Practices Form, Guidelines for Baptism in the Roman Catholic Church. You may want to choose a special christening gown or say a specific prayer. To plan a baptism, you’ll need to decide on the details of your service and how to include friends and family members. Consider factors such as your relationships to the godparents or sponsors and their potential commitment to guiding the person in the faith or even being there if something should happen to the parents. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Plan-a-Baptism-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Plan-a-Baptism-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Plan-a-Baptism-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid664986-v4-728px-Plan-a-Baptism-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"