Baptism by Age Group
Baptism of Infants
Before your Child is baptised Diocesan guidelines advise that parents should attend a minimum of two pre-baptism sessions as part of a baptism preparation course. Please see below for more information.
Baptism of Older Children
- Children presented for baptism or seeking baptism between the ages of 7 and 14 are regarded as children of catechetical age. They should be prepared for the sacrament following the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Children, part of the RCIA.
- Children under the age of seven, presented for baptism by their parents, should be baptised following the usual preparation appropriate for infants – see Baptism of Infants above.
- Young people from the age of 14 should be prepared for the sacrament following the normal adult RCIA process – but do please email our Catechetical Coordinator to discuss this, in the first instance: bstortfordcatechist@rcdow.org.uk
Baptism of Adults
The norm for adults seeking baptism is to follow the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults in their local parish and to be baptised at the Easter Vigil when it is discerned they are ready, following the scrutinies of the RCIA.
Baptism Registration Form
Please contact the parish office for a Baptism application and Godparent form. Please complete the form carefully in block capitals and return to Number 3 Windhill. The information submitted will be used to enter your baby’s details in the Church register which is a permanent record of baptism. A Baptism certificate with the details from the register will be ready for you to collect approximately 1 week after the ceremony. After this to comply with GDPR requirements the form will be securely shredded.
Baptism Preparation Course
Parents of children to be baptised are expected to attend a Baptism preparation . The sessions normally take place at the Windhill Churches Centre (Parish Centre , a detached building behind the back of St Joseph’s Church) but due to the restrictions are now being run on line Zoom with Sophie Sullivan, our Catechetical Coordinator, and her husband Mike. The course is very relaxed. Non-Catholics are also most welcome and there are no exams or tests! It is also a perfect opportunity to meet other parents in the parish.
Places are for those whose children to be baptised in the parish only and places for attendees must be pre-booked via the Parish Office 01279 654063 or email bishopsstortford@rcdow.org.uk
The places will be limited to a maximum of 10 couples on each course, with the dates are listed below. If you would like to attend please contact the parish office as soon as possible so that a place can be booked for you. The next course is on Monday 7 and Monday 14 October 2024, 8:00 pm – 9.15 pm
If you would like to attend a course, please email the office with your name, your child’s name and their age and we will send you further details along with the Zoom link when available. If you would also like to receive a Baptism application form, we can email one to you.
When you have completed the baptism preparation course, you may like to make use of this page of follow-on resources to support you and your child as they grow in faith
Baptism Dates
- Baptisms in the Catholic Parish of Bishop’s Stortford usually take place on a Sunday, on a date agreed by either Father Peter or Father Marco.
- There will be a maximum of one child at any one baptism to allow social distancing and for the sanitisation of the font.
- There will be no baptisms during Advent or Lent.
- We can provisionally book a date for your child’s baptism but it will not be confirmed until after your attendance on a preparation course.
Baptism Times
In ‘Normal’ times
Please ensure that you are in the church at least 15 minutes before the start of the Baptism ceremony
Godparents/Sponsors According to Canon Law
Canon Law is the body of laws and regulations that govern the Catholic Church and all its members.
Can. 872: In so far as possible, a person to be baptised is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptised person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfil faithfully the obligations inherent in it.
Can. 873: One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient; but there may be two, one of each sex.
Can. 874 §1: To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person MUST::
- be designated by the one to be baptised, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function
- have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
- be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken; not labour under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared;
- not be the father or mother of the one to be baptised.
Can we have Non-Catholic Godparents?
See the above requirements of Canon law regarding Godparents.
A Godparent MUST be a Confirmed Catholic, who has received the Blessed Eucharist and who is a practicing Catholic. You need at least ONE Catholic Godparent. Any other person of another religion will still play an important role in the life of your Child but is recognised and recorded in the Baptism Register and on the Baptism certificate as a Christian ‘Witness’ and not a Godparent.
Further information
Naming Ceremony
On the Sunday usually before the baptism your Child will be named and anointed with the oil of catechumens at one of the Sunday Masses ( that you normally attend). This is the first part of the Rite of baptism. You will need to arrange with the Parish Office which Mass you will be attending. It is nice if the Godparents can attend this but it is not compulsory for them since they may live at a great distance etc.
On the day of the Baptism
Please ensure that you are seated at least 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony. We provide a baptism candle for your child but you are also welcome to provide your own if you have a special one. The candle is lit from the Paschal (Easter) candle, symbolic of the light of Christ, to shine forth in the life of the baptised.
What the child should wear
It is important that you bring a white garment with you (a baby shawl or white blanket will suffice), which is placed over the child at the appropriate moment in the ceremony. The white garment symbolises that your Child has ‘put on Christ’. It is symbolic of new life in Christ, to be worn throughout our lives.
Church Offering
It is customary to make an offering to the Church on these occasions although there is no charge to receive a sacrament. A donation envelope will be available should you wish to make a contribution.
