GUIDELINES FOR BAPTISM

GUIDELINES FOR BAPTISM
Baptism is the door to life and the kingdom of God. Christ offered this first sacrament of the new law to all that they might have eternal life Baptism is the sacrament by which men and women are incorporated into the Church, built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit, into a holy nation and a royal priesthood. [General Introduction to Baptism No.3 & 4]
Baptism is the first step in a life long spiritual journey with Jesus Christ. When parents present their children to the church for baptism it is an opportunity for the parents to reaffirm their own commitment to Jesus Christ and the Church. Therefore, parents should be closely tied to their Catholic Faith, it's beliefs, laws and Sacramental life especially on the local parish level.
In preparation for the celebration of BAPTISM the following steps are to be observed:

a) Obtain and fill out the BAPTISM RECORD FORM.A copy of the child’s Certificate of Vital Record (State Birth Certificate) is also required when registering for the Baptism.
b) The parents and godparents must attend a PRE-BAPTISMAL CLASS Canon Law # 851 says: ”...the parents of an infant and likewise those who are to undertake the office of sponsor are to be properly instructed in the meaning of this sacrament and the obligations which are attached to it. ”
If godparents live out-of-town, they may attend a Pre-Baptismal Class in their parish.
c) The sponsors/ godparents are required to fill out and complete the BAPTISM GODPARENT FORM.
d) Return all completed forms to the Parish Office at least 3 weeks before the baptism date, include payment of $50 stipend to the church (check made payable to St Rose Church or cash),
Qualiﬁcations Of Sponsors/Godparents
Canon #873: ” Only one male or one female sponsor or one of each sex is to be employed.”
Canon #874: ”To be admitted to the role of sponsor, a person must:
a) be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the one who takes their place or, in their absence, by the pastor or minister and is to have the qualifications and intention of performing this role;
b) have completed the sixteenth year;
c) be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken."
d) If married or living together, they must be married by the Catholic Church (canon 670)

Can a non-Catholic be a sponsor?
Canon #874: ”A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may not be admitted except as a witness to baptism and together with a Catholic sponsor.”
St. Rose of Lima Church

820 Creston Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446

(805) 238-2218

Email: strose@saintrosechurch.org

BAPTISM RECORD
Please PRINT all information CLEARLY. This is the information that Will go into the permanent Baptismal records. This form needs to be turned in to the Parish Ofﬁce.
Full Name of Child:
Date of Birth:
MM slash DD slash YYYY
City of Birth:
Home Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Phone Number:
Email:
Fathers Name:
Religion:
Mothers Name:
Religion:
Mothers MAIDEN Name:
Parish Parent(s) are Registered in or attending:
If Parent(s) not registered at St Rose of Lima Church, has permission been given from their parish?
GODPARENT(S) (Note: We ask that each Godparent ﬁll out and return Baptismal Sponsor Form. Forms are available at the Parish Ofﬁce)
Godfather’s Name:
Religion:
Godmother’s Name:
Religion:
Additional Witness:
Religion:

Qualiﬁcations Of Sponsors/Godparents

St. Rose of Lima Church

BAPTISM RECORD

Batismal sponsor form