• office@stmarysgosport.org.uk
  • 02392 580119

Baptism

The beginning of our life of faith

The sacrament in which, by pouring water upon a person, or immersing in water, and using the words “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”, the one baptised is cleansed of Original Sin and (in the case of one who has reached the age of reason) of actual sins, is incorporated into Christ and made a member of His Body the Church; he/she is infused with the sanctifying grace and receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity.

Baptism Registration Form

Please contact the parish office for an application form. The information submitted will be used to enter your child’s details into the parish register which is a permanent record of baptism. A baptism certificate will be provided after the baptism ceremony.

Baptism Preparation Course

Parents of children to be baptised are expected to attend a baptism preparation course. You will be notified of these details after submitting an application. If your child is over the age of 7, they are considered to have reached the age of reason and we will therefore arrange special lessons to teach them about baptism and the faith. Telephone 02392 580119 or email office@stmarysgosport.org.uk to find out more.

Godparents/Sponsors

According to Canon Law

Canon Law is the body of laws and regulations that govern the Catholic Church and all its members.

  • Can. 872: In so far as possible, a person to be baptised is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptised person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfil faithfully the obligations inherent in it.
  • Can. 873: One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient; but there may be two, one of each sex.
  • Can. 874 §1: To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person MUST:: be designated by the one to be baptised, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function
    have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
  • be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken; not labour under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared;
  • not be the father or mother of the one to be baptised.

Can we have Non-Catholic Godparents?

At least one godparent MUST be a practising Catholic. You are very welcome to have persons of other denominations be involved, who will no doubt still play an important role in the life of your child.  These persons stand with the godparent as witnesses.

On the day of the Baptism

Please ensure that you arrive on time for the ceremony. We provide a baptism candle for your child but you are also welcome to provide your own instead if you wish. The candle is lit from the Paschal (Easter) candle, symbolic of the light of Christ, to shine forth in the life of the baptised.

Remember to bring a white garment with you (a baby shawl or white blanket will suffice), which is placed over the child at the appropriate moment in the ceremony. The white garment symbolises that your Child has ‘put on Christ’. It is symbolic of new life in Christ, to be worn throughout our lives.

Gift Offering

There is never a charge for a sacramant, though it is customary to make an offering to the minister.