Baptisms

Baptisms Performed at St. Leo the Great

The Importance of Baptizing Children

From the Introduction to the Rite of Baptism for Children

1. The term "children" or "infants" refers to those who have not yet reached the age of discernment and therefore cannot profess personal faith.,
2. From the earliest times, the Church, to which the mission of preaching the Gospel and of baptizing was entrusted, has baptized not only adults but children as well. Our Lord said: "Unless a man is reborn in water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." [1] The Church has always understood these words to mean that children should not be deprived of baptism, because they are baptized in the faith of the Church, a faith proclaimed for them by their parents and godparents, who represent both the local Church and the whole society of saints and believers: "The whole Church is the mother of all and the mother of each." [2]
3. To fulfill the true meaning of the sacrament, children must later be formed in the faith in which they have been baptized. The foundation of this formation will be the sacrament itself that they have already received. Christian formation, which is their due, seeks to lead them gradually to learn God's plan in Christ, so that they may ultimately accept for themselves the faith in which they have been baptized.
   

The Celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism at St. Leo the Great

The parent(s) of a child(ren) to be baptized are asked to make an appointment with the Pastor to register for baptism. Parents have a right to ask for the baptism of their child(ren), however there must be a “well-founded hope” that the child(ren) to be baptized will be raised in the practice of the faith. This means, at minimum, that the child is taken to church each weekend, that they receive a religious education through attendance at a Catholic School or PSR (Parish School of Religion) program, and that prayers and the example of Christian living are present in the home. While baptism may not be denied to anyone, it can be deferred until the parents are more properly disposed to have their child be baptized. 

Baptisms are scheduled on an individual basis and so the date and time will be determined when the parent(s) and priest meet to discuss the baptism. Normally baptisms are celebrated on Sunday, the Lord’s Day, either during or after one of the Sunday Masses (8am, 10am and 12 Noon).

Before choosing or asking someone to be a godparent, please read this important information first:

A sponsor certificate is required for all Catholic godparents. This can be obtained from the church where they are registered and currently practicing their faith. It is a testament from them and their parish priest that they are qualified to act in the role of a sponsor, who is chosen to be an example of the faith to the child they are sponsoring. A Christian Witness is a practicing Christian from another (approved) denomination who, while not a sponsor, is also requested by the family to have a spiritual influence on the child. A Christian Witness can be chosen only if a practicing Catholic is also chosen as the godparent. No sponsor certificate is required for a Christian Witness. Please see the requirements for (Catholic) Godparents and Christian Witnesses below.

If you have been asked to be a sponsor and need a sponsor certificate from St. Leo the Great Parish, please stop by the Rectory Office or call 216-661-1006. 

QUALIFICATIONS FOR GODPARENTS:

1. They must be Catholic, attend Mass weekly and receive the Sacraments.
2. They must obtain a Sponsor Certificate from their own parish as soon as possible.
3. This Certificate should be given to the St. Leo the Great Parish Office no later than one week before the Baptism.
4. Those Catholics who are married outside the Church or have formally joined another religion MAY NOT act as godparents.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN WITNESSES:

1. ONE Christian of another tradition may substitute as a Christian Witness for a Catholic Godparent if he/she is a member of a Christian Church and worships regularly.
2. Those Churches which do not believe in the Trinity and/or the Divinity of Christ include Adventist, Baha’i, Christian Science, Enckankar, Jehovah Witness, Latter Day Saints (Mormons), New Age, Religious Science, Scientology, Spiritualist, Swedenborgian, Unitarian, Unity and some Independent Churches. Members of these Churches MAY NOT act as a Christian Witness.

FURTHER NOTES FROM THE CODE OF CANON LAW:

Can. 873 – Only one male or one female sponsor or one of each sex is to be employed.

Can. 874 – §1. To be admitted to the role of a sponsor, a person must:

• have completed the sixteenth year, unless a different age has been established by the diocesan bishop or it seems to the pastor that an exception is to be made for a just cause;
• be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken;
• not be the father or the mother of the one to be baptized.
  
  

§2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may not be admitted except as a witness to baptism and together with a Catholic sponsor.

ORDER FOR THE RITE OF BAPTISM

Reception of the Child

Celebration of God’s Word

• Scripture Reading(s) & Homily
• Intercessions
• Prayer of Exorcism & Anointing Before Baptism

Celebration of the Sacrament

• Blessing and Invocation of God over Baptismal Water
• Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith
• Baptism
• Anointing with Chrism
• Clothing with the White Garment
• Lighted Candle
• Ephphetha or Prayer over Ears and Mouth

Conclusion of the Rite

• Lord’s Prayer
• Blessing