The Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism

Baptism is the sacrament in which Jesus sends us His Spirit, who frees us from original sin and gives us the grace by which we become God’s children, members of the Church.

To sign up for Baptism, please come to the Parish Office and fill out an application or download the form here. If you have questions, please call the Parish Office at  (510) 799.4406 or  parishoffice@stpatrickrodeo.org.

Infant Baptism (newborn to 6yrs old)

Infants are generally baptized between three and six months old. Infant Baptism is celebrated up to 6 years of age. If you want your child to be baptized in the Catholic Church, please call (510) 799-4406 or   parishoffice@stpatrickrodeo.org

Youth Baptism (7yrs to 17yrs old)

This process is for children 7 years of age to 17 years old who are not yet baptized or who have been baptized in another Christian tradition. Youth will enter the Catholic Church through a process of education, reflection, faith sharing, and celebration of the sacrament of Baptism. It requires full participation of the parents. “To allow the child to grow in a fuller appreciation of these sacraments and to enhance his or her faith life, there must be on-going catechesis on a year by year basis.” For more information, please call the Faith Formation Office at (510) 799-4406 or parishoffice@stpatrickrodeo.org

Baptism- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

Process of discerning and celebrating stages of conversion, leading to sacramental initiation through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter. For adults who are not baptized or are baptized in another Christian denomination and are thinking of becoming Catholic or simply searching for the Lord and want to answer God’s call. To help explore in an atmosphere that supports and respects each individual’s faith journey. Please call  (510) 799-4406 or  parishoffice@stpatrickrodeo.org

ARTICLE 1 Catechism of the Catholic Church (The Holy See)

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),4 and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”5

IN BRIEF

1275 Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism which is the beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and the Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ’s Body and Blood for his transformation in Christ.

1276 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20).

1277 Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord’s will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism.

1278 The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water on his head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

1279 The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ.

1280 Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of the character Baptism cannot be repeated (cf. DS 1609 and DS 1624).

1281 Those who die for the faith, those who are catechumens, and all those who, without knowing of the Church but acting under the inspiration of grace, seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, can be saved even if they have not been baptized (cf. LG 16).

1282 Since the earliest times, Baptism has been administered to children, for it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized in the faith of the Church. Entry into Christian life gives access to true freedom.

1283 With respect to children who have died without Baptism, the liturgy of the Church invites us to trust in God’s mercy and to pray for their salvation.

1284 In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pours 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.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3O.HTM