This sacrament washes away Original Sin and all our personal sins, claims us forever as beloved sons and daughters of Christ, and makes our souls fitting dwelling places for Almighty God. 

The celebration of this Sacrament begins with the priest or deacon welcoming the one to be baptized and claiming them for Christ by tracing the Sign of the Cross on their forehead. After proclaiming a passage from one of the Gospels, the priest or deacon then invites all those present, as well as the saints in Heaven, to pray for the one to be baptized, or in the case of an infant, the child's parents and godparents, to proclaim the Apostle's Creed and renounce Satan and all sin. 

After all of this, the Baptism itself is celebrated with a three-fold pouring of water over the head of the one to be baptized, accompanied by the invocation, "I baptize you, (Name), in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

The newly baptized is then given a candle, to signify the Light of Christ that is now dwelling within him or her, and a white garment, to signify that they are a new creation in Christ. Finally, they are anointed with the oil of sacred chrism, which signifies that they have been entrusted with a share in the mission of Christ, Who is Priest, Prophet, and King.

For scheduling an infant baptism, see How Do I schedule a Baptism. Here you will find an online form to complete  or a form to print, complete and bring to our parish office. We will then help you connet with one of our Baptism mentors, parents in our parish who will share their experience of raising a child in the faith, in the  hopes of offering some guidance and support on the role that parents and guardians will have in the sacramental life of the child to be baptized. 

Please click here for information on adult baptism.