Baptism is the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door to the other sacraments: it frees a child from original sin, makes him or her a child of God and a member of Christ's Body, the Church, and marks the soul with a seal that can never be removed. The Church asks parents to have their infants baptized within the first weeks after birth, and to prepare themselves for it, because they and the godparents will speak for the child and promise to raise him or her in the faith. This guide walks through the ordinary parish practice in the United States.

What you need

• A call or visit to your parish office as soon as the child is born, or before
• One or two godparents who meet the Church's requirements (see the guide on choosing godparents)
• The child's birth certificate and, for the godparents, a letter or sponsor certificate from their own parish
• A white garment for the child and a baptismal candle (many parishes provide both; ask)

When to pray it

As soon as possible after birth. Canon 867 asks parents to see to it that their infants are baptized within the first weeks, and to approach the parish soon after the birth or even before it. Most parishes celebrate infant Baptisms on Sundays, either during Mass or in a separate celebration after it.

Steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Contact the parish early

   Call or visit your parish office as soon as you can, ideally during the pregnancy or in the first days after the birth. Ask when Baptisms are celebrated, what preparation the parish asks of parents and godparents, and what documents to bring. Baptism is ordinarily celebrated in the parish church of the parents (canon 857), so if you have moved, or have never registered, register now. If your child is ill or in danger, tell the parish at once: an infant in danger of death is to be baptized without any delay, and any person can do it (see the guide on emergency Baptism).

Tips

• Do not wait for the perfect date or the perfect party. The sacrament is the point; the celebration can follow whenever the family can gather.
• If one parent is not Catholic, the child may still be baptized. Canon 868 asks only that at least one parent (or the person lawfully standing in for them) consents, and that there be a founded hope the child will be raised Catholic.
• If you are not registered at a parish, this is the moment to register. Baptism is normally celebrated in the parents' own parish church.
• Bring the godparents to the preparation session if the parish invites them; their promises are as real as yours.

Related saints

• Saint John the Baptist