Holy Baptism

Given that God innately shares His essence and love, the Church celebrates the arrival of new life and advocates for infants to receive the sacrament of Baptism within the initial weeks after birth. When discussing Infant Baptism, the designation "infant" or "child" pertains to individuals who have not yet attained the age of discernment (typically around 7 years old) and consequently cannot articulate personal faith.

Canon 867

§1 Parents are obliged to see to it that infants are baptized with the first weeks after birth; as soon as possible after the birth, or even before, parents are to request the sacrament for their child and to be properly prepared.

§ 2 An infant in danger of death is to be baptized without delay.

Christian parents are entrusted with the responsibility of nurturing their child in the practice of the faith, aiming to safeguard this divine life from the influence of sin and foster its growth daily. Recognizing the pivotal role parents play in shaping the Christian upbringing of their children, they are to be adequately prepared for this task.

When requesting Baptism for their child, at least one parent or legal guardian should be a baptized Catholic, with the non-Catholic parent consenting to the child's Baptism in the Catholic faith. In situations where one custodial parent opposes Baptism, speak with us to explore future options for sacramental celebration. Baptism cannot proceed if one custodial parent objects.

It is preferable for parents seeking Baptism for their child to be members of Resurrection parish, and typically, infants are baptized in the parish church associated with their parents, unless circumstances suggest otherwise. However, all individuals approaching the parish for their children's Baptism will be treated with respect, regardless of their registration status or level of faith involvement. While encouragement for active participation in the parish may be offered, registration or financial contributions will not be prerequisites for sacramental preparation or reception.

Canon 868

§1. For an infant to be baptized licitly (in a way that is allowed by cannon law):

1/ the parents or at least one of them or the person who legitimately takes their place must consent;

2/ there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion; if such hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed according to the prescripts of particular law after the parents have been advised about the reason.

Godparents bear the responsibility of aiding parents in the crucial task of nurturing a child in the faith. They are expected to be steadfast believers, capable and willing to support the newly baptized individual on their journey through the Christian life. Each child may have both a godfather and a godmother. Together with the parents, godparents present the child for Baptism, assist them in living a Christian life consistent with their Baptismal faith, and help fulfill the associated obligations.

While only one godparent is required, they must be a fully initiated Catholic (having received Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist), at least 16 years old, and living a sacramental life in accordance with the faith and the responsibilities of the role. They cannot be the biological parent of the child to be baptized or under any canonical penalty. Additionally, a step-parent cannot serve as a godparent for their stepchild unless they meet all requirements. If married, the godparent should be married in the Catholic Church. There may be only one male or one female godparent, or one of each gender. Siblings of the child to be baptized may serve as godparents provided they fulfill all criteria.

If Father is unfamiliar with the godparent(s), we will request documentation from the godparent's parish community. Upon the parents' request, a baptized and believing Christian from another denomination may serve as a Christian witness alongside the Catholic godparent. However, a lapsed Catholic may not serve as a Christian witness.

Canon 872

Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.

Canon 873

There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.

Canon 874

§1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:

1/ 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;

2/ 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;

3/ 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;

4/ not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;

5/ not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

§2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.

Children who have reached the age of reason will be encouraged to participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults adapted for Children rather than the Rite of Baptism for Children. With suitable adjustments allowed by the ritual, these children should receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

The U.S. Bishops have identified the "age of discernment" to be around seven years old. Therefore, typically, children older than seven are to undergo initiation through the Christian Initiation of Children. Their formation should adhere to the general structure of the ordinary catechumenate to the extent possible, with adjustments permitted by the ritual.