Baptism

The Gateway to New Life

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

Baptism is the foundation of the whole Christian life. It is the porch through which we enter the home of God’s family. In this first sacrament, we are freed from the bondage of original sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, this is a rich reality where we become "a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1279).

When we bring our children to the font, we are doing more than celebrating their birth; we are claiming them for Christ. Through the pouring of water and the invocation of the Holy Trinity, they are incorporated into the Body of Christ, the Church, and made sharers in His mission as priest, prophet, and king.

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The Signs & Symbols

God uses simple, earthy elements to communicate His divine life. During the rite, you will see:

  • Water: Recalling Jesus’ own baptism in the Jordan, water is the ancient sign of life and cleansing. It washes us clean of sin and marks our rebirth.

  • Sacred Oil (Chrism): The anointing on the forehead creates an indelible mark, sealing the new Christian with the Holy Spirit.

  • The White Garment: A symbol of purity and victory, representing that the baptized person has "put on Christ" and risen with Him.

  • The Light: A candle lit from the great Paschal Candle, symbolizing that Christ has enlightened the neophyte, who is now called to be the "light of the world."

Receiving the Sacrament

We are delighted that you are seeking this beautiful sacrament for your child. Because Baptism is a pledge to raise a child in the faith, proper preparation is essential.

Here are some information to get you started. We have also placed an Inquiry Form here for your convenience.

Steps to Follow

  1. Parish Registration. Parents must be registered members of St. Anthony’s or Our Lady of Perpetual Help prior to beginning the process. If you are new to the parish, welcome home! Please register with us first.
  2. Contact the Office. Call the Parish Office at (210) 635-8539 to initiate the Baptism request.
  3. Attend Baptism. Preparation Both parents and sponsors (godparents) are required to attend a preparation class to fully understand their roles.

Documents to Gather

Before you can register for the preparation class, you must have these physical documents in hand. We cannot register you for the class without them.

  • Child’s Birth Certificate: An official copy of the birth certificate.
  • Sponsors’ Confirmation Certificates: We require proof that the chosen godparents are fully initiated Catholics. This means providing a certificate showing they have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

For Children Over Age 7

If your child is over the age of 7, they have reached the "age of reason." The Church requires that they receive age-appropriate formation.

  • Preparation: The child must attend Religious Education (CCD) classes for one full year prior to Baptism.
  • Celebration: These students will receive the Sacrament of Baptism at the beautiful Easter Vigil Mass.
 

Scheduling the Baptism

The date for the ceremony will be set only after the parents and sponsors have completed this class.

Register Early

You must register for this class at least two weeks in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Church baptizes infants because Baptism is a pure gift of God's grace that should not be denied to children. Just as parents make other important life decisions for their children, they also choose to give them the immense gift of becoming a child of God and a member of the Church. The practice is rooted in the early Church's tradition of baptizing entire "households," which included children (Acts 16:15, 33).

  • A godparent's role is to be a model of faith and to help the parents raise the child in the Catholic faith. They represent the Church community and promise to support the child's spiritual journey. Therefore, a godparent must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic in good standing (CCC, 1255).

  • No. Baptism imprints an indelible (permanent) spiritual mark on the soul, configuring us to Christ forever. This is why the sacrament is only received once (CCC, 1272).

  • A godparent serves as a model of the Catholic faith for the child. Therefore, the Church requires that a sponsor be a fully initiated Catholic (has received Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) who lives a life in harmony with the faith. This is why we require a Confirmation Certificate for all sponsors.

  • The Catholic Church acknowledges one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. If an adult or child has been validly baptized with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in another denomination, they are not baptized again. They would instead make a Profession of Faith.

  • God’s grace is not bound by walls. As the Catechism teaches, in case of necessity (such as a life-threatening emergency), anyone can baptize provided they have the intention of doing what the Church does. They simply pour water on the candidate’s head while saying: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284). If the person survives, they should later be presented to the parish for the rest of the rites.

Inquire About It

For all inquiries about Baptism and to register for a preparation class, please use this form.

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A Final Thought

"Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism... give to this water the grace of your Son." — Rite of Baptism

May this time of preparation be a blessing to your family as you get ready to welcome your child into the household of God.