Infant Baptism

New Life in Christ

From the first centuries, the Church, to whom the mission of evangelizing and baptizing has been given, baptized not only adults but also children. Since the Lord said, “No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5), the Church has always understood that children are not to be deprived of Baptism. The faith of this Church is proclaimed during the baptism by the parents, godparents, and others present because they represent both the local Church and the whole company of Saints and faithful.

Parish boundaries

The family of the child should reside in St. Daniel the Prophet Parish boundaries. If a family lives outside the boundaries, they may register as parishioners or request and present a permission letter for baptism from their parish of residence. Families who are registered at another parish may still have their child baptized at St. Daniel the Prophet if scheduling is available. A letter of permission to baptize from their pastor will be requested.

Baptismal Preparation Class

Parents and godparents are required to attend a baptismal preparation class either at St. Daniel the Prophet or at another parish (proof of attendance is also required). If parents have attended a baptismal preparation class within the previous two years in the Diocese of Phoenix, they are still encouraged but not required to attend another preparation class. The monthly infant baptism preparation class for parents and godparents is still taking place. Registration is required.

Email receptionist@sdtp.net to register.

Parish Registration

There is no waiting period from the time of parish registration to the time of requesting Baptism, though we do encourage parents to prepare prior to the birth of their child. Scheduling is done on a first come first serve basis with priority to parish families.

Baptism Information Regarding Godparents

In order to be considered a godparent, a person must be 16 years of age and have received all three Sacraments of Initiation. (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist). Proof of godparents’ sacraments received will be required. If married, the marriage must be recognized by the Catholic Church. Catholics in irregular marriages are always encouraged to talk to their Pastor to see if the marriage can be validated in the Church. Only two godparents may be listed in the baptismal registry (one of each gender). Only one godparent is required.

Non-Catholic Christians

A baptized Christian from another denomination may witness the baptism as a Christian Witness along with a Catholic Godparent. Catholic Godparents and Christian Witnesses are highly encouraged to attend a baptismal preparation class either at St. Daniel the Prophet or another Catholic parish.

Serving as a Godparent comes with great responsibilities.

Below are the requirements set forth by the Church in her Code of Canon Law:

Can. 872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized 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 baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.

Can. 874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:

• Be designated by the one to be baptized, 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 already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;
• Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
• Not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

§2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.

Regarding the questions of:

1. MINIMUM AGE: A godparent must generally be 16 by the date of the baptism. (Exceptions by pastor may be made with reason.)
2. SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION: a godparent is a baptized Catholic who has received Confirmation and Holy Eucharist in the Catholic Church.
3. FREEDOM TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENTS: The godparent is a practicing Catholic who is free to receive Holy communion when he or she come to Mass.
4. MARITAL STATUS: A Catholic godparent who is married must be in a marriage that is recognized by the Catholic Church. Those in their first marriage must have been married either a) in a Catholic Church ceremony or b) in a church/synagogue ceremony with the permission of the Catholic Church. Catholics in second marriages must have had their first marriage annulled and their second marriage recognized or convalidated by the Catholic Church. Catholics presently in civil or common law marriages are not eligible to serve as a godparent.
5. UNMARRIED STATUS: If unmarried, a godparent must be living a life consistent with a single person as defined by the Catholic Church. Anyone cohabitating with another person, e.g. living in a romantic relationship or as a couple, is ineligible to serve.
   

All information must be printed and correctly spelled. Please provide information exactly as stated on the Child’s Birth Certificate. This information is entered directly on the Baptismal certificate and the parish record. The entire Baptism preparation process must be completed before confirming and assigning Baptism dates.