Baptism
Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. (John 3:5)
Freed from Sin
Baptismal Symbols
- 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.
Baptismal Requirements and Registration
- Parents must be registered parishioners of Corpus Christi and actively attending mass for at least three months prior to registering your baby for a baptism. If you need to register with us, you can do so by clicking here.
- If you are a parishioner with us and looking to baptize your child, please complete our Baptismal Registration Form.
- After completing a registration form, a member of our office will reach out to you soon. Please note that both parents and godparents are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation Class at Corpus Christi prior to their child being baptized (the expectation being if you have already attended one within the last three years.) If godparents cannot attend due to distance, there are online options available, which we will be happy to discuss with you.
For Godparents/Sponsors
Frequently Asked Questions About Godparents
What are the requirements to be a godparent?
A godparent should be a confirmed, Catholic Christian who is at least 16 years of age, faithfully practices and believes in the Catholic faith, and if married, is married within the Catholic Church.
How many godparents should there be?
Church law only requires you to have one godparent; however, it has been tradition to have two. If you choose only one godparent, you are free to choose a male or a female. However, if you wish to have two godparents, there must be one male and one female.
Can a non-Catholic serve as a godparent?
A baptized, non-Catholic may serve as an “official witness” to the baptism, only if there is a proper Catholic sponsor who fully meets all requirements of a godparent.
The non-Catholic who is selected as a witness should be an active and participating member of his/her church community.
During the baptism, a non-Catholic witness may perform all the parts of the ceremony that a godparent does. His or her name will be entered into the Sacrament Record Book as an “official witness”, together with the name of the godparent.
What is the difference between a godparent and a witness?
Canon (Church) Law describes a witness as “A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community.” A godparent is a confirmed, practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
What if a godparent cannot attend the baptism ceremony?
If a godparent cannot attend the baptism ceremony, a proxy can stand in the place of the missing godparent. The name of that person will be entered as “proxy” in the Sacramental Record Book, along with the name of the missing godparent.