The grace of Salvation in Christ is bestowed in the Sacrament of Baptism. 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. Through Baptism the Church welcomes her people into the Catholic Community, accompanying and guiding them along the way of Jesus Christ.
Children
The Baptism of infants, with parents and godparents acting on their behalf, is a well-established and ancient tradition in the Church. Infants (Children under 7 years old) receive the same graces from the sacrament as adults who receive it. In this case, nothing is required from the infant in order to receive the Sacrament. Parents and godparents are the ones who need to fulfill the requirements.
Children older than 7 years are required to take Baptism classes. The other Baptism requirements remain the same as listed below for parents and godparents.
Parents
The Church requires that parents and sponsors attend a Baptismal Class, so that they can come to know their faith better, and re-discover the implications of their own Baptism. Although this class can be taken at any Catholic Church, the parish Church of Saint Gregory the Great offers this class on two Saturday mornings each month for your convenience.
Once attended, a certificate of attendance will be issued, which must be presented to the staff member charged with the responsibility of scheduling the date of the Baptism. Children are not accepted in the classroom.
Sponsors
A sponsor is a Catholic who will help the child to be baptized learn and live their faith for the remainder of the child and sponsors lives.
In addition to attending the class, godparents are presumed to have themselves already received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation), be no less than sixteen years of age, and to live a life in harmony with Catholic Teaching.
Ideally, there are to be two Sponsors, (one of each gender), a godmother and sponsor; but there must minimally be one sponsor who is able to fulfill the canonical requirements of this sublime role.