Baptism, the first and fundamental sacrament is the gate to the other sacraments. Baptism is the purifying and sanctifying sacrament of rebirth and the means by which its recipients are incorporated into the Church in a bond of unity.  Baptism frees a person from original sin and makes that person a member of the Body of Christ, thus being the way to a new and spiritual life. It is administered by immersing the recipient in water or by pouring water on the person’s head while saying the following “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. One must be baptized before sharing in any of the other sacraments. Baptism is the foundation for all ministry and life in the church, and confers a commitment to follow Christ and spread his message throughout the world. Furthermore, in baptism, one is incorporated into the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and thus participates in the gift of resurrection and eternal life with Christ.  Baptisms are done by Priests or Deacons.
 
Infants can be baptized soon after birth up to age 7.  At the time of baptism, parents vow to practice their faith and provide a Catholic upbringing for the child. Adults who have never been baptized take part in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), and will typically be baptized at the Easter Vigil. The Catholic Church recognizes baptisms from other Christian denominations that baptize using water and the formula “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”. Thus, a person can only be baptized once.

See our guidelines and forms below.