Baptism

 

Preparations:

  1. Any registered parishioners have the right to have their children baptized at OLMC. It is possible for non-registered parishioners to be baptized here, but there must be a grave reason to do so, together with the permission of the proper pastor of the person to be baptized.
    1. An infant in danger of death is to be baptized immediately.
    2. Anyone can do this, even a non-Catholic, provided it is done with the intention of the Church, and the proper form is used.
  3. The arrangements for the date of the baptism should be made after the baby is born, by contacting the parish secretary at sacraments@olmcfssp.org.
  4. The name of the infant to be baptized must not be foreign to a Christian mentality. A name of a saint or angel or virtue or mystery of the Faith must be chosen. For an exception to this, the parents must speak to the pastor.
  5. The faithful are free to choose any priest they desire for baptism.

Ceremony

  1. Only the 1962 Rite of Baptism is used at OLMC.
  2. There may be as many as three baptisms scheduled at one time but no more.
  3. The parish will supply the baptismal candle, but the family will supply the white garment.
  4. After the baptism, the Blessing of Women after Child-birth will be offered to the mother, but this is not required.
  5. After that blessing, a consecration of the infant to the Blessed Virgin can take place, though this is not required.

Time of the Baptism:

  1. The preferred time for the sacrament is immediately following the 8:30am Saturday Mass. Other times may be scheduled, but Saturday is the preferred day at OLMC.
  2. Other times may be chosen, but this must be arranged with the priest who has accepted to perform the baptism.

Sponsors:

  1. Only one male or one female sponsor or one of each sex is to be employed.
  2. Eligible sponsors:
    1. Will have completed their sixteenth year.
    2. Will have received Holy Communion and Confirmation
    3. Have not been bound by any canonical penalty.
    4. Are not the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
  3. If sponsors are not from this parish, then a letter from their pastor stating that they are in good standing at their parish, is required one week before the baptism.
  4. Non-Catholics may not be admitted as sponsors, though they may act as witnesses.

Other Considerations:

  1. The stipend for the priest is not required or determined. It is customary to give one to the priest, but the amount is left to the parents of the infant.
  2. If there is any doubt (after serious investigation) about whether or not an infant has been baptized, then the baptism is to be conferred conditionally.

In the case of illegitimate children, they can be baptized and, by the sacrament, receive all the rights and privileges of the faithful. Illegitimacy is a civil matter and not canonical.