Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism

The sacrament of baptism is the first of the seven sacraments.  Baptism is what makes us a member of the Body of Christ, it is what initiates us as Christians.  Being baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit confers grace upon the baptized.  As Christians we spend our life unfolding this baptismal grace in how we live and follow God in our life.  We are baptized in One God, yet three persons.  Baptism is the beginning of our Christian vocation that will call us to conform our life to Christ and live the sacramental life of the Church founded by Jesus himself.

Requirements for Baptism of Infants

For an infant to be baptized licitly, it is necessary that there is a well-founded hope that the child will be brought up in the Catholic faith. Therefore, there are requirements that both the parents and godparents must meet. 
 

• Parents - At least one parent must be a practicing Catholic, but both parents must be willing to raise the child in the Catholic faith. Since there must be a founded hope that the child will be raised in the faith it is of utmost importance that the parent(s) are activitely practicing their faith. This means they are attending mass weekly, receiving the sacraments, and be in or working toward full sacramental communion. Sometimes, a Catholic will not have married in the sacrament of matrimony.  If this is the case, we can assist you in making your marriage sacramental (con validation) and returning to full sacramental communion.  Please note, a Non-Catholic parent is not obligated to participate in the preparation or Rite of Baptism for their child but is welcome to do so. 
• Godparents - A godparent should be someone who will be part of the child’s life and is willing to accept the responsibility of supporting his/her godchild in learning and living the Catholic faith by way of example. Normally there is a godfather and a godmother. They need not be related or married but can be. However, you may also choose to have only one godparent.  The godparent(s) should be at least 16 years of age, baptized and have received First Communion and Confirmation. If a godparent is married they must also have been married in the Catholic Church or have had their marriage convalidated by the Church. He/she must be practicing their faith actively.  As long as one godparent meets these requirements, another person who is not a practicing Catholic, but is a baptized Christian may serve as a “Christian Witness”. Also, if you desire someone to be a godparent and they cannot be present, a proxy may stand-in for them.

The Catholic Church asks that the parents and godparents of the children that are preparing for the sacrament of baptism take a class so that they can better understand the sacrament and promises made on the day of baptism. Therefore, it is mandatory for both parents and godparents to attend and participate fully in the pre-baptismal class or provide a certificate of completion from a similar class in another parish within the last two years. 
 

Baptismal Preparation Process - Infants to Age 4 

Children who are four years of age and younger may be baptized at various times throughout the year, except during the season of Lent.  This type of baptism is referred to as "Infant Baptism."  The child not having reached the age of reason, is presented by the Catholic parent(s) for baptism and takes on the responsibility of raising the child in the Catholic faith.  The parent publicly renounces sin and professes their faith, as they will share their faith and love of God with their child.

If you would like your child baptized, please follow the steps below. 

• Step 1 - Complete the Baptism Registration Form
  • Online Baptism Registration Form
• Step 2 - Choose Your Baptism Date
  • Review the dates above and please contact Jesus Rodriguez to notify him of your chosen date. Please keep in mind that we do have a current cap of 10 children per baptism so it is best to have a second choice in mind just in case.
• Step 3 - Submit a copy of the Birth Certificate & $60/child payment 
  • Email Jesus Rodriguez a copy of the birth certificate. You can also drop off a copy of the birth certificate at the Parish Center which is open Monday through Thursday from 10am to 4pm. 
  • To pay the $60 fee for baptism you can pay in person by cash or check at the Parish Center or pay online via PayPal or Zelle. When paying online please be sure to include your child's name and baptism in the comment section. Once you receive your confirmation email of payment forward it to Jesus Rodriguez.
• Step 4 - Parents & Godparents Attend the Pre-Baptismal Class
  • The Catholic Church asks that the parents and godparents of the children that are preparing for the sacrament of baptism take a class so that they can better understand the sacrament and promises made on the day of baptism. Therefore, it is mandatory for both parents and godparents to attend and participate fully in the class.
  • Pre-Baptismal classes are always the Thursday prior to the scheduled baptism at 7pm. Classes are held at the parish auditorium which is located next to the main church building. Once the birth certificate and payment have been received parents will receive an email with more information regarding the class. 
• Step 5 - Celebrate the Baptism!  
  • On the day of your child's baptism the Parents, Godparents and Child must arrive by 8:40am to check in with the Deacon or Priest. On that day you'll need two special items; Baptismal Garment (all white)& Baptismal Candle. These items are used in the ritual of the baptism and symbolize our relationship to Christ. They are available at most Catholic stores or online. If you have any questions regarding these items please contact Jesus Rodriguez.
  • COVID Regulations - In accordance with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County guidelines all guest older than 2 years of age must wear a face mask at all times while indoors. Guests will not be allowed in without masks and the Church does not provide masks. 

 

Baptismal Preparation Process - Children & Adults

Once a person reaches the age of reason, it is very important they embrace their faith, knowledge, and love of God as their own as they prepare for their baptism.  They will present themselves and journey with others toward the Easter Vigil where these baptisms takeplace in the most important and biggest celebration of the year.  The Easter Vigil is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ and is especially marked with the waters of baptism. The preparation programs for this type of baptism are the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and adapted for children.  Click here to learn more about this process.
 
The Rite of Christian Initiation welcomes children ages 5 (in school) and older and adults inquiring about the Catholic faith.  In fact, the first segment of this process is for inquiry purposes only, so one need to make a commitment to become Catholic.  Come and ask questions, share with others that are learning about the faith.  Discern if God is calling you into to communion in His Church.