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Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments – CCC 1213
Sacrament of Initiation: Baptism
For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Baptism is the first sacrament of Christian initiation. Through Baptism we are freed from sin, we become adopted sons and daughters of God and are embraced into the family of the Church.
Baptism transforms us. It marks our soul for life and eternity. In baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ’s call to holiness. In baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.
Although we Catholics believe that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God, it is through baptism we become sons and daughters of God and are brought into that most mysterious communion with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Baptism is a Sacrament of faith, and the Church asks for a serious and loving commitment by the parents and godparents of a child to live the life of the Sacraments. The baptism ceremony for adults and teens is similar to baptism of children except that you make the baptismal promises yourself. Instead of godparents, adults have sponsors whose role is to encourage you in the Catholic Faith.
Baptism transforms us. It marks our soul for life and eternity. In baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ’s call to holiness. In baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.
Although we Catholics believe that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God, it is through baptism we become sons and daughters of God and are brought into that most mysterious communion with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Baptism is a Sacrament of faith, and the Church asks for a serious and loving commitment by the parents and godparents of a child to live the life of the Sacraments. The baptism ceremony for adults and teens is similar to baptism of children except that you make the baptismal promises yourself. Instead of godparents, adults have sponsors whose role is to encourage you in the Catholic Faith.
The Rite of Baptism
Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.
The Rite of Baptism involves immersing the candidate in water or pouring it over his/her head, while invoking the Name of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (CCC 1278).
If you are not Catholic but have received Baptism as described above, we consider your baptism valid. So, you will not be baptised again if you choose to join the Catholic Church. Rather, you will be initiated into full communion with us through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
Matthew 28:19
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
Baptism is a re-birth into God's family through Christ; the way Jesus has given us to salvation and eternal life! We hope that baptism will be the result of a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ for all the family, as well as the beginning of a life-long journey of faith for your child.
→ According to the Catholic Church's law, "parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth, or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it." (Code of Canon Law, 867.1)
Do get in touch with us as soon as you can, preferably before the baby is born, to discuss the baptism (see details for how to do this below).
Additionally, if your child is to be baptised, there must be a "founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion; if such hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed…" (Code of Canon Law, 868.2)
With these concerns in mind, please read the following:
→ According to the Catholic Church's law, "parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth, or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it." (Code of Canon Law, 867.1)
Do get in touch with us as soon as you can, preferably before the baby is born, to discuss the baptism (see details for how to do this below).
Additionally, if your child is to be baptised, there must be a "founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion; if such hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed…" (Code of Canon Law, 868.2)
With these concerns in mind, please read the following:
If your child is under 7 years old
A) For your child to be baptised, you must be resident in this parish and attend weekly Sunday (or Saturday evening) Mass here.
B) If this is the case, please apply to the baptism team, using the steps below. You will then be invited to a meeting with one of the priests (taking place after your usual weekly Mass), who will chat with you about your reasons for wanting for your child to be baptised as a Catholic in our church community, and about the practicalities.
If this is not the case, we regret that we cannot invite you to an initial meeting or recommend your child for baptism at this time. But please do begin coming to Mass again with a view to baptism when your circumstances change - your faith and your child's future is important!
C) Depending on the outcomes of the discussion, you may be invited to sign up for the baptism course. This is a chance for you to deepen your understanding of the baptism, to understand your role in bringing your child up in the Catholic faith as he/she gets older, and get to know other parents in the faith community which will support you.
If your child is 7 years old or over
In autumn 2024 we started a programme for children aged seven and over who wish to be baptised or received into the Catholic Church called Journey of Faith: Children’s Edition. Parents and children attend in-person sessions together, led by a priest and catechists. Over the year, these sessions prepare the children not only to be baptised or received but also to make their first Confession and their first Holy Communion. When we receive the Eucharist for the first time, we receive Jesus himself: in this way we enter into communion with Christ and his Church more fully than we do in Baptism. Since it is necessary to be at rights with God before we receive Jesus in Holy Communion, it is also necessary for people to confess
their sins and be reconciled with Christ. For this reason, the programme prepares children for three sacraments over eight months.
Since becoming Catholic commits a person to attending Sunday Mass for the rest of their life, we look for evidence that a family are able to make this commitment before and during the Journey of Faith.
their sins and be reconciled with Christ. For this reason, the programme prepares children for three sacraments over eight months.
Since becoming Catholic commits a person to attending Sunday Mass for the rest of their life, we look for evidence that a family are able to make this commitment before and during the Journey of Faith.
If you are a new convert to Catholicism with children
Because children are dependent on their parents to hand on the faith to them and bring them to Mass, we would typically allow a period of time for the parents to settle into life as practising Catholics before baptising or receiving their children into the Church. However, we recognise that people’s journeys into the Catholic Church take different routes, and we recognise there could be exceptional cases. If the parent has entered the Church through our RCIA programme, then a priest will discuss your children’s situation with you. If you have recently moved to Guildford, we would almost certainly look for you to establish a regular
pattern of worship before we baptise or receive your children into the Church.
pattern of worship before we baptise or receive your children into the Church.
To Apply for Baptism Preparation for your Child.
- Step 1 - register on the parish database
What if my household is already registered on the database?
If you are already registered on the parish database then please email [email protected] and let us know which child you are seeking to baptise. |
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- Step 2 - You will be contacted to provide more information and a copy of your own baptism certificate.
At least one parent, or the person who lawfully holds their place, must be a baptised and practising Catholic. We now ask for a copy of a parent's baptism certificate.
- Step 3 - you will be invited to meet a priest as arranged by appointment.
Please note that these only take place over several week blocks twice a year.
- Step 4 - Upon the priest's request, you may be invited to attend a baptism course.
The programme looks at the importance of Sacraments in the Church; their relationship to each other and the impact of Baptism on the lives of the child and parents. Finally there is an overview of the ceremony. In Guildford the Baptism Preparation Course covers the churches of St. Joseph, St. Mary, St Edward and St. Pius X.
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEXT BAPTISM COURSE IS NOT UNTIL JUNE 2024.
Where does the course take place?
St. Joseph’s Church hall, GU1 4AZ
When does it take place?
We start with an introduction Zoom meeting on Wednesday evening 8-9 pm. We invite any Godparents that have been chosen to join us for this online meeting.
After the introductory session, we'll send access to a series of short videos online that need to be watched at home and a journal to filled in before our next session.
We then meet in person on the next Wednesday evening in St Joseph's Catholic Church Hall (GU1 4AZ), 7.30-9 pm. At this session, we review what has been studied at home and go through the practicalities of the Baptism itself.
Further Information?
In the meantime, please register on the database following the instructions carefully below.
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEXT BAPTISM COURSE IS NOT UNTIL JUNE 2024.
Where does the course take place?
St. Joseph’s Church hall, GU1 4AZ
When does it take place?
We start with an introduction Zoom meeting on Wednesday evening 8-9 pm. We invite any Godparents that have been chosen to join us for this online meeting.
After the introductory session, we'll send access to a series of short videos online that need to be watched at home and a journal to filled in before our next session.
We then meet in person on the next Wednesday evening in St Joseph's Catholic Church Hall (GU1 4AZ), 7.30-9 pm. At this session, we review what has been studied at home and go through the practicalities of the Baptism itself.
Further Information?
In the meantime, please register on the database following the instructions carefully below.
- Step 5 - After completing a baptism course, you will be invited to sign up to a date to have your child baptised.
Please note all baptisms take place at St Joseph's Church.
We'd love to see you at Mass
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If visiting our website is a first step back towards the Church we are very pleased to welcome you! Take as much time as you want to see what we are like. Join us for Mass and discover what it's like and to see how our parish might serve your needs. Although the core of the Mass (the Eucharist) never changes and is at the heart of our faith, often the way we come to that sacred place is important.
Most masses use large projector screens that display much of the liturgy or responses during the mass, so you need not worry about knowing the words and these will help you if you are uncertain when it is appropriate to stand, kneel, sit, etc. You might be surprised by just how familiar and comfortable it feels to be in church, but whether it feels good or not, taking the opportunity to chat with our clergy team may be just the thing you need to do. Their advice and help could be all you need to find a path through the tangles of past emotions and present needs to help you and your family find your place here in the Catholic Parish of Guildford. |
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