Baptism Preparation

Baptism Preparation

Thank you for choosing Jesus!

Welcome!

Congratulations on the birth of your child!

Baptism is the greatest gift you can give your child because it begins their relationship with Jesus!

Below, is Part 1 of a 2-part formation process, educating the parents and godparents on the sacrament, as well as preparing them for the responsibilities associated with Baptism. The video at the bottom of this page is both fun and informative. Part 2 will be an informative meeting with a member of our Baptism team. 

First, you can contact us at info@ccsbparish.org or call us at 617-244-0608. Please fill out as much info as possible on the below forms and watch the video. Preferably, watch the video together, and chat about it afterward with each other! 

If you have not yet registered at the parish, please register first.

Baptism FAQs

What is needed to celebrate baptism in our parish?

For a child to be baptized in the Catholic Church, there should be a basis for hope that the child will be raised in the Catholic faith. In practice, this generally means that at least one parent is Catholic. Like many dioceses in the United States, Boston requires parents to participate in Baptism preparation before the baptism of their children. We offer a Baptismal prep at Corpus Christi/St. Bernard parish that is a combination of videos to be watched at home and a meeting at the church usually the second week of the month. Each child brought forward for baptism must also have at least one godparent who is a confirmed, practicing Catholic age 16 or older.

At what age are children usually baptized?

There is no age limit, children can be baptized at any age, but infants are generally baptized between three and six months old.

When will we receive the baptism certificate?

On the day of the baptism, we will present you with a baptism certificate with the parents' names. If your child ever needs a copy of their baptism certificate later, perhaps for school registration or for marriage, you can contact the parish office.

Is there a fee?

We would never ask for a fee for so great a gift, but many parents or godparents choose to make a donation at the time of the child’s baptism. The gift is sometimes even made in the name of the child to signify their first gift to their Church. These generous donations help fund the baptism preparation and follow-up program and supplies involved. If you would like to make an offering you may bring it to the baptism or mail or drop it off in the parish office. This offering goes to assist the work of the parish.

What happens during baptism preparation?

The preparation is designed to help you reflect spiritually on being new parents and recognize that baptism is the beginning of a lifelong commitment. We will discuss the theology of the sacrament of baptism, as well as practical aspects of the ceremony itself. It is a great way to meet other parents in the parish and to answer any questions you may have.

What should the baby wear for the baptism?

A white garment is an ancient sign of the newly baptized Christian's new life in Christ. Your child's baptismal garment need not be a traditional baptismal or christening gown; it can be any clothing that is mainly white. Department stores such as Macy's and Kohl's sell traditional baptismal gowns.

What about single parents or parents who have not yet received the sacrament of marriage?

Corpus Christi/St. Bernard parish welcomes every parent to bring your child forward for baptism, no matter what your circumstances may be.

What are the requirements for godparents?

The Church states that one sponsor, male or female, is sufficient; but there may be two. The sponsor's role is to assist the person in Christian initiation. In the case of an infant baptism, the role is, together with the parents, to present the child for baptism and to help him or her to live a Christian life befitting the baptized. Selecting godparents should not be about popularity of family or friends but thoughtful consideration about who will be in your child’s life that has an active personal faith in God. The Godparent :

1. Should be mature enough to undertake this responsibility.

2. Should have received the 3 sacraments of initiation, namely Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

3. Must be 16 years of age or older.

4. Should know the fundamental truths of the Faith and be a practicing Catholic who attends Mass & receives the sacraments regularly.

5. Must be a member of the Catholic Church, canonically free to carry out this office.

6. Must not be the father or mother of the one baptized. We hope that parents choose godparents who will take an active role in the faith formation of their child.

• The godparent's name is entered into the parish record book as the "official" godparent or sponsor for baptism.
• If you choose more than two godparents, one or two may have their names entered into the book as "official" godparents, and the others can be "honorary" godparents.
• If you choose two godparents of the same sex, one can be the "official" godparent for the record book, and the other can be the "honorary" one.
• Baptized non-Catholic Christians may not be "official" godparents for the record book, but they may be Christian witnesses for your child.
• People who are not baptized Christians cannot be sponsors for baptism, since they themselves are not baptized. However, you may certainly invite non-Christian friends or relatives to attend the celebration and to have a special place in your child's life, sharing with your child their own faith traditions.

Godparents by Proxy

If the godparent cannot be present in person, he/she may appoint another person to represent him/her. This is usually done by letter which would contain a statement of acceptance of the responsibilities by the sponsor and the appointment by name of the proxy. Requirements for the proxy are the same as those listed above for a godparent.

Christian Witness

A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may be admitted only in company with a catholic sponsor, and then simply as a witness to the baptism.

According to the Directory of Ecumenism, it is permissible that a member of an (Orthodox) Church act as a sponsor, together with a Catholic godparent so long as there is a provision for the Catholic education of the person being baptized, and it is clear that the godparent is a suitable one. 

Godparent Information

What is the Role of Godparents in the Catholic Church?

So what exactly is the role of a Godparent supposed to be? How can we discern a good fit for our children, and why do we have Godparents, anyway?  Let’s explore the answers to these questions as foundational information about the value of Godparents and their beautiful role within the Catholic Church and in our children’s lives.

History Of The Naming Of Godparents In The Catholic Church

In the early centuries after Jesus’ death and Resurrection (about 300 A.D.), “the Church was under the persecution of the Roman Empire and had to be cautious in conducting its affairs so as to prevent pagan infiltration and persecution” (Fr. William Saunders). In addition, during Medieval times, the Sacraments of Initiation were administered concurrently (e.g., Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), so the role of Godparents really was twofold. First, Godparents were essential in attesting to the integrity of the individual who was joining the Catholic faith, often because s/he was an adult receiving the Sacraments of Initiation (as in RCIA today). Second, Godparents had to protect the doctrine of the Faith from paganism and persecution in the early days. Finally, Godparents were critical spiritual guides if parents of a child were martyred and had no direction in the Faith. Around the year 800 A.D., infant Baptism became commonplace, and it was then that the role of Godparent (or more accurately “sponsor”) significantly changed to what we understand it to be today. Sponsors were intended to be adults who committed themselves to assist parents of children to teach them the Catholic Faith.

What To Look For In Potential Sponsors

The Catholic Church requires that sponsors fit the following basic credentials: should be at least 16 years old, and at least one of the two sponsors must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church . Truthfully, as mentioned above the Church does not require that a child have two sponsors, but traditionally this is what most people select – one male and one female. It’s important to realize that sponsors are people striving for holiness in their own lives.  When in doubt, pray for discernment. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you who would be solid spiritual role models for your child.

The Role Of Godparents In A Child’s Spiritual Formation

Not everyone recognize the depth of commitment involved in witnessing a Baptism as a Godparent. It seems it’s more for the sake of tradition or perhaps, much like at a wedding, it’s more of a visible sign that a person is supporting the parents. But then nothing much happens after the Baptism. Godparents should really help the parents commemorate their godchild’s Baptism annually, much like a birthday celebration. It’s truly beautiful to use the Baptismal candle as a reminder of the joy of welcoming the little one into the Catholic family rather than allowing it to collect dust in a box at the bottom of a closet. Though the Church doesn’t specify what Godparents must do, it’s ideal for them to remain in close contact with the sponsored child and parents throughout the years.

Practical Ways Godparents Can Fulfill Their Role Here are some suggestions on what you as Godparents can do to remain a constant presence in the life of your sponsored child:

1. Have a Mass celebrated for the child on his or her birthday! There are numerous organizations, such as shrines, that send Mass enrollment cards with your intentions. What a great spiritual gift, especially if it is from an apostolate with the child’s given or spiritual name (e.g., The Society of the Little Flower for a girl named Therese).

2. Attend as many important family functions as you are able to. This includes annual birthday celebrations, First Communions, Confirmation, graduations, and maybe even start a new tradition of a Baptism party!

3. Send occasional cards or notes of encouragement throughout the year to your sponsored child. Include holy cards or clip inspirational quips and quotes from your favorite saints.

4.  Bring spiritual gifts to special occasions, such as blessed rosaries, statues, icons, and – my personal favorite – blessed medals of the child’s namesake or adopted saint.

5. Take the child out for special one-on-one time occasionally. During that time, make a point to speak about your sponsored child’s life and incorporate practical spiritual lessons into the conversation. This also builds trust between you and your Godchild.

Essentially, Godparents play a vital role in the life of a Baptized person, whether infant or adult. Most people have shared that their Godparents had a significant impact on their spiritual growth and interior life. That’s not to say that parents aren’t the primary spiritual educators for their children, but Godparents often develop special, unique relationships with their Godchildren. Perhaps children feel more at ease talking about difficult issues with their Godparents rather than their parents. Perhaps Godparents offer a fresh perspective on issues that kids face. Godparents can be mentors, educators, and spiritual support not only to the sponsored person through Baptism, but also to the entire family and even community. REFERENCE: The Role of Godparents - Catholic Education