“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: ‘Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213)

Catholics receive the sacrament of baptism as infants or as adults, in the presence of his or her parents and godparents. Through the saving waters of baptism, Catholics believe that we are washed clean from the stain of original sin, caused by the sin of Adam and Eve. The grace we receive in baptism also makes us children of God the Father and welcomes us into the Catholic Church.


For more information:

FAQs about Baptism for Infants 

Do I need to be a registered parishioner?
Yes.  By baptism, your child enters our Christian community at St. Anthony of Padua Parish.  The faith of your child will be nourished as he or she grows in our parish.

Do I need to attend Sunday Mass every week?
Yes.  The parents’ own practice of faith is evidence of their sincerity in their desire for their child’s baptism.

If married, do I need to be married in the Catholic Church to be baptized or have my child(ren) baptized?
Yes, you need to be married in the Catholic Church or have your marriage blessed if you were married outside of the Church. This is a requirement because it reflects your commitment to building your relationship with Jesus to be His disciple by following His teachings on the holiness of Marriage. If you need to have your Marriage blessed, please contact Deacon Andrew at deaconandrew@stanthonyvan.com.

Are there any classes that I need to take to prepare for my child’s baptism?
Yes. Parents are required to take the first level (Discovery) of CCO’s Faith Studies program. Since Catholics have the right and obligation to take care of their children’s Christian education, parents are required to have some basic knowledge of the faith in order to fulfil their duty. To see when our next Faith Studies is taking place, please click here.

Do the godparents (sponsors) have to be parishioners at St. Anthony's?
No. However, all sponsors need to fill out a Baptism Sponsor Authorization form and ask their pastors to sign to make sure they are practicing Catholics.  Please contact the Parish Office to obtain this form.

How many godparents can I or my child have?
You or your child can have up to two godparents, but if you are choosing two then they must be one male and one female.

Why does the Baptismal ceremony take place during Sunday Mass?
There are 3 practical benefits of having Baptisms during Sunday Masses.  Firstly, the family benefits by making their profession of faith standing before, and with the community.  Secondly, their friends and relatives benefit from seeing the Church at worship.   Thirdly, the congregation benefits by being part of the joyful moment.