When and where is Baptism celebrated?
An infant should normally be baptized in the first few weeks or so following birth, with the following considerations:
1. In setting the time for Baptism, the first consideration is the welfare of the child and that it is not deprived of the benefit of the sacrament.
2. In danger of death, the child should be baptized immediately.
3. The second consideration is the health of the mother, so that if at all possible, she too may be present.
4. When the health of the child is not a factor, another consideration is the readiness of the parents to accept the responsibility of bringing their child into the faith.
5. Sometimes parents are not ready for the celebration of Baptism, or they ask for their child to be baptized, although the child will not afterward receive a Christian education and will even lose the faith.
6. Since the rite itself does not allow enough time to resolve these dilemmas or train the parents in the faith, Baptism may be delayed until proper commitment and catechesis on the part of the parents is ascertained.
In the case of adoption, a certificate issued by a United States’ court must be presented to verify that the adoption is formal, final and irrevocable. Parents and godparents must ask themselves if they are ready to accept the responsibility of handing on the faith to their child since this task is charged primarily to them.
Thus children should receive Baptism as soon as it is practical after birth, taking into consideration the health of both mother and child and the readiness of the parents and godparents to accept the demands that baptism places on them.
Baptisms should normally be celebrated in the parish of the infant’s parents by one of their parish priests. Because Baptism binds a child to the universal church through a local community, at least one parent should be a registered, active member of Our Lady of Grace Parish for at least two months prior to setting the date of Baptism. This means, at a minimum, regular participation in the Eucharist on Sundays and holy days of obligation, regular celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, support of the church according to one’s abilities and active participation in the apostolic work of the church.
Parish Baptism Schedule
Baptisms are generally celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Parish on weekends as follows:
V 1st Saturday of the month during the 4 p.m. vigil Mass
V 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month at 11:30 a.m. (after 10:30 a.m. Mass)
V 2nd Sunday of the month during the 8:30 a.m. Mass
V 4th Sunday of the month during the 10:30 a.m. Mass
Baptisms are not celebrated during the season of Lent, i.e., from Ash Wednesday until the Easter Vigil.