St. Nicholas
Roman Catholic Church
Baptism
Our Catechism Teaches:
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."
By nature, we are born from Adam as children of wrath, but by
Baptism we are regenerated in Christ, children of mercy. For He
gave power to men to be made the sons of God, to them that believe
in his name, who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
Baptism of Infants
It is the ancient practice of the Church to baptize infants. This should be done as soon as is possible. 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. Parents are therefore encouraged to seek Baptism for their children and are asked to contact the parish office to make arrangements. Parents will be asked to participate in a "pre- baptismal" instruction session to prepare to have their child baptized.
Baptisms are typically scheduled for any Saturday or Sunday of the year, except during the season of Lent. Baptism may also be celebrated during one of the Sunday or weekday Masses.
Baptism after the Age of Reason (Over 7 years of Age)
For those who reach the "age of reason", generally considered seven years of age, there will be required further instruction of the person to be baptized. Once a person reaches age 7, they are to be fully initiated into the Church, that is, to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion with Baptism. For Adults, the preparation and instruction needed is considered part of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). For children, there is a modified version, and it is expected that the child will continue with religious education.
Sponsors (Godparents)
For Baptism, a sponsor, commonly called a godparent is chosen. For infants there may be two godparents, in which case one man and one woman are to be accepted. Godparents are to take a real role in imparting the faith to their godchild. First and foremost, they are to present a good example of what it means to be good practicing Catholic.
St. Augustine says: I most especially admonish you, men and women, who have acquired godchildren through Baptism, to consider that you stood as sureties before God, for those whom you received at the sacred font. Indeed, it preeminently becomes those, who undertakes any office, to be indefatigable in the discharge of its duties; and he who promised to be the teacher and guardian of another should never desert him whom he once received under his care and protection as long as he knows the latter to stand in need of either.
Speaking of this same duty of sponsors, St. Augustine sums up in a few words the lessons of instruction which they are bound to impart to their spiritual children. They ought, he says, to admonish them to observe chastity, love justice, cling to charity; and above all they should teach them the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the rudiments of the Christian religion.
Church law states:
To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:
Please click on the link for the Baptismal Form, complete the form, save, and email it as an attachment to stnick11@ptd.net. We will be happy to contact you.
Baptismal Form
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."
By nature, we are born from Adam as children of wrath, but by
Baptism we are regenerated in Christ, children of mercy. For He
gave power to men to be made the sons of God, to them that believe
in his name, who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
Baptism of Infants
It is the ancient practice of the Church to baptize infants. This should be done as soon as is possible. 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. Parents are therefore encouraged to seek Baptism for their children and are asked to contact the parish office to make arrangements. Parents will be asked to participate in a "pre- baptismal" instruction session to prepare to have their child baptized.
Baptisms are typically scheduled for any Saturday or Sunday of the year, except during the season of Lent. Baptism may also be celebrated during one of the Sunday or weekday Masses.
Baptism after the Age of Reason (Over 7 years of Age)
For those who reach the "age of reason", generally considered seven years of age, there will be required further instruction of the person to be baptized. Once a person reaches age 7, they are to be fully initiated into the Church, that is, to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion with Baptism. For Adults, the preparation and instruction needed is considered part of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). For children, there is a modified version, and it is expected that the child will continue with religious education.
Sponsors (Godparents)
For Baptism, a sponsor, commonly called a godparent is chosen. For infants there may be two godparents, in which case one man and one woman are to be accepted. Godparents are to take a real role in imparting the faith to their godchild. First and foremost, they are to present a good example of what it means to be good practicing Catholic.
St. Augustine says: I most especially admonish you, men and women, who have acquired godchildren through Baptism, to consider that you stood as sureties before God, for those whom you received at the sacred font. Indeed, it preeminently becomes those, who undertakes any office, to be indefatigable in the discharge of its duties; and he who promised to be the teacher and guardian of another should never desert him whom he once received under his care and protection as long as he knows the latter to stand in need of either.
Speaking of this same duty of sponsors, St. Augustine sums up in a few words the lessons of instruction which they are bound to impart to their spiritual children. They ought, he says, to admonish them to observe chastity, love justice, cling to charity; and above all they should teach them the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the rudiments of the Christian religion.
Church law states:
To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:
- Be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
- Have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
- Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;
- Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
- Not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
Please click on the link for the Baptismal Form, complete the form, save, and email it as an attachment to stnick11@ptd.net. We will be happy to contact you.
Baptismal Form
