Baptism
“I baptise you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Mathew 3: 11
The Catholic Church sees baptism as the first and basic sacrament of Christian initiation. “The person is baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. For Catholics, baptism is the sacrament of salvation and the door to all other sacraments.
We recognise baptism as entry and welcome into God’s family. The sacrament of Baptism marks the beginning of our life of faith. In Baptism, we are welcomed into God’s family and begin the journey of getting to know and understand the meaning of God’s love. We baptise infants and welcome anyone who desires to be baptised.
If you are interested in having your child baptised, or you would like to be baptised, please see Father after mass.
Baptism of an Adult
The church teaches that through the application of water (baptism) a believer is cleansed from sins and begins a new life. Before baptism, adults undergo a preparatory period to introduce them to the church’s teachings, creeds and prayers.
This journey of faith, this period of reflection and discovery, and the ceremonies that accompany it have been brought together in a programme the Church calls ‘The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults’ or ‘RCIA’. Becoming Catholic.
Click on the button below for more information regarding the RCIA programme.
The Celebration of Baptism Gathering
Those who are being baptised, their families, friends and the church community gather together.
Welcome
Words of welcome are exchanged. The names that have been chosen for Baptism are announced and the parent’s desire to have their child baptised is expressed.
The Word
Everyone present listens to the Word of God (Readings from Sacred Scripture)
Oil of Catechumens
To prepare for Baptism, the candidate is anointed with the Oil of Catechumens as a sign of Christ’s protective power.
Vows
All present renew their own baptismal vows. Therefore, all godparents need to be Christian with at least one of them baptised, practising catholic.
Water
Oil of Chrism
The newly baptised are then anointed with Sacred Chrism as a sign of sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Like Christ, the one baptised is now an “anointed one”.
White Clothing
Candle
As a sign of the light of Christ now present in the newly baptised, a candle is presented and lit from the paschal or Easter candle.
