The Sacrament of Baptism
Baptisms at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick
Since the earliest of times Baptism has been administered to children, for it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit. For children and infants age six and under baptisms at the Cathedral take place after parents have attended a Baptism preparation class. The Baptism Preparation Class for children and infants under the age of six is held every fourth Sunday of the month at 10:15 am.
Children age seven and above need to prepare for full initiation into the church at the Easter Vigil and need to take part in the Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC). Families of these children will be asked to participate in a program of preparation.
At the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, baptisms are celebrated on Sundays following the 11:30 a.m. Mass. Parents must attend a baptismal class prior to the baptism if they have not attended a class at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick within the past three years. Baptismal classes are held the fourth Sunday of the month at approximately 10:15 am in the Family Life Center Library. Class registration is not required. Parents must also complete a baptism registration form and submit all the necessary paperwork along with the required Godparent certificate of eligibility at least a month prior to the scheduled baptism. It is customary to provide a momentary gift for the clergy member (priest or deacon) who performs the baptism. The donation can be given directly to the clergy member. The gift amount is up to the discretion of the family.
