Baptism
Baptism and Christian Initiation
By Baptism, we become members of the Church, the Body of Christ.
The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus. Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist. The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters. . . . Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin. However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God.
In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ's call to holiness. In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.
~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults | en español
Choosing Godparents
Godparents play a crucial role in the religious formation of your child.
According to Canon Law:
- One Godparent must be a confirmed practicing Catholic, minimum 16 years of age.
- A fully initiated Catholic who has received Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.
- A practicing Catholic who regularly attends Mass, goes to Reconciliation, and believes in the truths of the Catholic faith.
- The child's parents cannot be the Godparents.