Baptism

Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. (John 3:5)

If you are looking to have you're child baptized either at Sacred Heart in Cicero or Divine Mercy in Central Square, provided below are forms  along with an explanation of the ministry of Sponsor, or God-parent. Please look over these carefully when filling in the information needed.

Forms

Godparent Verification Form Baptism Planning Sheet
The sacrament of baptism ushers us into the divine life, cleanses us from sin, and initiates us as members of the Christian community. It is the foundation for the sacramental life.

At baptism, the presider prays over the water:
Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit. (Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A)

Freed from Sin

Baptism frees us from the bondage of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is desirable that infants receive this sacrament shortly after birth. It is preferable for adults to receive Baptism at the Easter Vigil through the restored Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, but they are able to receive it at other times as well. Adults or children who have been baptized validly in another Christian church are not baptized again in the Catholic church, in keeping with what we profess in the Nicene Creed, “I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”


The Catechism teaches:

"The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ" (CCC 1279).

Baptismal Symbols

 

  • Water – The waters of baptism recall Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal as we begin a new life in Christ. In Baptism, we are buried with Christ, washed clean of sin, and rise to life again with Christ.
  • Oil – At baptism we are anointed with Christ as “priest, prophet and king.” A cross is traced on the candidate’s forehead as a reminder that we are heirs of the Kingdom of God.
  • Light – The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal candle that stands in the church as a sign of Christ’s light in the world. At baptism, we receive the light of Christ and are called forth to share this light with the world.
  • White garment – The white garment that is worn by the recipient of Baptism is a symbol of the purity of their soul after having been in the waters of Baptism. It is also a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection.

 

While in ordinary circumstances, sacraments in the Catholic Church are administered validly by a member of the ordained clergy, in an emergency situation, the sacrament of baptism can be administered by anyone.


In case of emergency, any person can baptize one who has not already been baptized, provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pour water on the candidates head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).