Baptism

• Water – The waters of baptism recall Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal as we begin a new life in Christ. We are washed clean of sin.
• Oil – At baptism we are anointed into the life of Christ as “priest, prophet and king.” A cross is traced on the candidate’s forehead as a reminder that we are inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
• Light – The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal or Easter candle that stands in the church as a sign of Christ’s light in the world. At baptism, we receive the light of Christ and are called forth to share this light with the world.
• White garment – The white garment that is placed upon us at baptism is a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection. Likewise, the white garment or pall that is placed over the coffin at the time of death recalls our baptismal promises and reminds us that we are destined for eternal life.

While in ordinary circumstances, sacraments in the Catholic Church are administered validly by a member of the ordained clergy, in an emergency situation, the sacrament of baptism can be administered by anyone.

In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pour water on the candidates head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).

Parish Guidelines for the Baptism

Baptism of Infants (children below 7 years of age)

Children below the age of seven can be baptized at the request of their parent(s) or the person who legitimately takes their place. Parents who are registered members of a different parish, should present a letter of permission from their pastor to have their child baptized at our Parish. In order to schedule your child’s baptism, you must fill out the Baptism Registration Form available in the parish office as well as at www.stleocatholicchurch.org and submit a copy of their child's birth certificate. You are also required to watch first 3 episodes of Reborn available on Formed.org. Reborn presents the foundation of the Church’s teaching on Baptism, with a step-by-step explanation of the Rite itself, including its profound place in Scripture and Tradition. To log in, please:

1. go to www.formed.org;

2. above the box “submit code” put in our parish code b1e2d0 (this is case sensitive and the last character is a zero;

3. complete a user profile as prompted with your own user name and individual password;

A child to be baptized is to be given one or two godparents who together with the parents will present an infant for baptism. If there are two godparents, one must be male and one must be female. If the designated godparents are not registered members of St. Leo the Great Parish, they must obtain a Godparent Certificate from their own parish indicating that they are members in good standing and are eligible to act as godparents. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate as a godparent except together with a Catholic godparent and then only as a Christian witness of the baptism.

To be permitted to take on the function of godparent a person must:

1. be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;

2. have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the presiding priest has granted an exception for a just cause;

3. be a Catholic who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on; have all three sacraments and be practicing catholics;

4. not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;

5. not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

Baptisms are normally celebrated after the 11:30am Mass by one of the parish priests in English on the second Sundays of the month and in Spanish on the fourth Sunday of the month. Apart from a case of necessity, baptisms are not celebrated during the season of Lent and Holy Week. Photography is allowed as long as it does not interfere with the ceremony.

The parish will provide a baptismal candle. After the ceremony it will be yours to keep as a reminder of this joyous celebration. If you wish to make a donation, it may be placed in the poor box or mailed to the parish. Please indicate that the donation is made on the occasion of your child's baptism.

The baptism will be recorded in the permanent sacramental records of the parish based on the information you provide. Therefore please ascertain the accuracy of the facts and names. A baptism certificate will be given to you by the priest after the ceremony.

Baptism of Adults

Adults and children above the age of seven generally enter the Church by participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Rite of Christian Initiation of Children. These persons are baptized at the Easter Vigil.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) outlines the steps for the formation of catechumens, bringing their conversion to the faith to a greater maturity. It helps them respond more deeply to God's gracious initiative in their lives and prepares them for union with the Church community. This process is meant to form them into the fullness of the Christian life and to become disciples of Jesus, their teacher. This includes an initiation into the mystery of salvation, the practice of faith, hope, and love, and other virtues in a succession of liturgical rites.

Persons baptized into another Christian church and now seeking full communion with the Catholic Church are also welcomed to participate along with catechumens in the RCIA in the process of learning about the Catholic faith and being formed in that faith. They bring to the process of preparation their prior experience of Christian life and prayer. For a baptized Christian, reception into full communion with the Catholic Church involves reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) and then a Profession of Faith followed by the celebration of Confirmation and Eucharist.

For more information on RCIA and RCIC or to enroll in these programs, contact the Director of Religious Education.

Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. (John 3:5)