As soon as is practical for the family. There is no age restriction on any person may be baptized at any age.

Baptisms are generally celebrated bimonthly, on Sundays. There are no baptisms during Lent. Dates will be discussed at the initial interview. In the case of emergency, baptism should not be delayed. If your child is gravely ill, please contact us: (519) 742-5061.

Call the office: 519-742-5061 – we’ll be happy to walk you through your next steps.

Blessed Sacrament does not require that parents be registered members of our community.

We welcome you to bring your child forward for baptism no matter your circumstances. All that is required is the commitment to raise your child in the Catholic faith.

If, however, you are giving thought to the possibility of marriage at this time, or wish to have your marriage convalidated in the church – making your marriage a sacramental one, and would like to speak with us about the possibilities, we would be happy to help.

Baptism is a celebration of a living relationship with God and with community (the parish). As such, the sacrament is normally celebrated in your worshiping community. Exceptions are made, however. To have your child baptized in a different parish: 1) seek permission from the parish’s pastor; 2) obtain a letter from the pastor of your home parish, granting permission to have your child baptized elsewhere; 3) attend Baptismal preparation program in your local parish (also to be confirmed in the pastor’s letter).

Baptism is not simply a rite of passage, it is a sharing in the life of Christ and is the first step of initiation into the Christian community. During the Rite, parents promise to raise their child in the practice of the faith. Seeking Baptism for your child presumes that you are now seeking to live your faith. If you are returning to the Church, welcome back, you’ve been missed.

At least one parent must be willing to guarantee that the child will be brought up in the practice of the Catholic Faith. A grandparent or legal guardian may also make this guarantee, provided the parent is supportive.

Children who are not yet in 2nd grade can receive baptism in the same manner as infants. Older children are invited into the RCIC program (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children), for initial instruction. All those who are older than 12 enter into the RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) to become formed in their faith before receiving the sacraments of initiation.

The role is religious, not legal. During the Baptism, godparents represent the Christian community into which the child is being initiated. The role continues as they support the parents’ efforts to raise their child in the Catholic faith, modeling life lived as a Catholic Christian.

It is customary to have two godparents, one male and one female. As the role of the godparent is to assist the child’s parents in passing on the Catholic faith, he/she must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic over the age of 16. A baptized non-Catholic can serve as as a Christian witness to the baptism, alongside of a Catholic godparent.

Only one godparent is necessary. If two are chosen, one is to be a man and the other a woman. Though a child can only have two godparents, if you wish to have additional persons bear witness at Baptism as Christian Witnesses, please discuss this with the priest at your initial meeting.

While parents cannot be godparents, as they have their own unique role in the child’s faith life, a brother and/or sister, meeting the requirements for godparents, may absolutely serve in this role.

Sacraments are by their very nature public and communal, they are never private actions. When a child is baptized, they are baptized in Christ and into community – and the whole Church celebrates and rejoices. Though the norm is to have a communal celebration, it is possible that in any given month your child may be the only one to be baptized at the regularly offered service.

While the Church does not charge for the sacramental celebration, a thank offering to the parish is greatly appreciated. A gratuity to the clergy is also customary, though not obligatory.

Yes. As parents you are the first teachers of God’s love. Attending the session together is a gift of love for your child. It will be an opportunity for your spouse to learn more about the sacrament of Baptism, celebrated in the Catholic tradition, and to ask questions – if desired.

If you’ve attended another baptismal preparation session at Blessed Sacrament within the past three years you may be exempt for this session. This can be determined at your initial visit.

Yes, but be mindful of the sanctity of the sacrament. Photos and/or videos should be discrete. Following the ceremony, you may take pictures with the priest, family members, etc.

Yes, with permission from the pastor.

If the godparent cannot be present in person, the parent may appoint another person to serve as a proxy at the baptism.