St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Roman Catholic Church

Click here to see St. Margaret's Mary's Baptism Requirements

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),4 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.”5

The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.60 He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them.61 Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.62 The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.” God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.

Paragraphs 1213 and 1257, Catechism of the Catholic Church

Infant baptism is intended for minor persons below the age of seven. Those who are age seven or above will be baptized as adults: see also, Confirmation and Eucharist.

• A child can be baptized only once. If a child has been baptized previously by anyone, even by a lay person or in a non-Catholic church, parents must inform the minister of Baptism.
• Parents are required to be registered, active and contributing parishioners of St. Margaret's for at least six months at the time of Baptism.
• They are required to go through Sacramental Formation provided by the parish prior to Baptism.
• Parents are responsible to choose the Godparent(s) for their child, in keeping with the guidelines that are listed below.
• They are responsible to accept the Catholic faith which we profess in the Creed, attend Mass regularly, and live their faith by being active in the life of the Parish.
• If registered at another Parish, they must provide a written permission from the pastor of that Parish.

Godparents’ Responsibilities

• Only one Godparent is required for Baptism, either male or female, and must be at least sixteen years old.
• If two Godparents are chosen, one must be male and one female.
• Godparents are expected to be practicing, active Catholics to be good examples of living a good Catholic way of life for the child; be capable of helping the parents in the upbringing of the child in the Catholic faith, therefore if they are married, they must be validly married in the Catholic Church.
• A Godparent must be a fully initiated, practicing Roman Catholic (One who has received the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion). They must provide documentation from their home parish that they are practicing and active Catholics.
• A non-Catholic Christian may be chosen as a Christian witness if there is at least one Catholic Godparent.

To arrange for the baptism of a child, please contact the parish office at (520) 622-0168 and we will be happy to assist you with the preparation.

For younger children, enroll for the Religious Education Program.

For adults, enroll for the RCIA program.