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GUIDELINES FOR THE RECEPTION OF BAPTISM

For Infant Baptism:

1. Infants should be baptized soon after birth, but sufficient time is necessay for the proper instruction.
2. Children who are seven years of age or older must receive instruciton in the church before being baptized (see adult baptism).
3. The ordinary place for baptism is in the parish chuch of the parents.
4. One of the parents or legal guardian must request baptism.
5. There must be a founded hope that the child baptized will be brought up in the Catholic Religion.
6. Godparents must have received Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist, should be at least 16 years of age, and should be practicing Catholics who are able to give the example of a good Catholic life. There are normally two godparents, one man and one woman.
7. A baptized non-Catholic may not be a godparent but may be an official witness to the baptism, as long as there is one Catholic godparent.
8. Baptism is not to be conferred until parents and godparents have attended pre-baptisml instruction. The responsibilities of parents and godparens are to be reviewed, as well as preparation for the celebration of the rite of baptism.

1. An adult who seeks baptism into the Church is to be admitted to "Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.), which should be part of every parish. This is normally done by speaking personally with the priest of the parish in which one lives. Children who have reached the age of reason are the be admitted to teh "Rite of Chiristian Initiation for Children" (R.C.I.C.).
2. An adult who has already received Chirstian baptism but not in teh Catholic Church and wishes to be received into the Catholic Church is to follow the stages as set forth in teh same rite as a candidate for reception into full communion.
3. All participating in the R.C.I.A. are to be confirmed immediately after receiving baptism or after being received into full communion. They are to fully participate in teh celebration of he Eucharist which includes the receptio of Holy Communion. This takes place normally during the Easter vigil service.
4. The sponsors of an adult, in addition of an infant, are encouraged to accompany the catechumen/candidate through the stages of preparation for the sacraments of initiation.

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