Freed from Sin.

The Sacrament of Baptism.

The sacrament of baptism ushers us into the divine life, cleanses us from sin, and initiates us as members of the Christian community. It is the foundation for the sacramental life.

When do you celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism for children?

We celebrate baptisms on the first and third Sunday of each month, following the 11:30am Mass. We ask that the family attends the 11:30am Mass, where the child will be introduced to the St. Jane Frances de Chantal Community.

What do I do if I want to have my child baptized?

Parents should meet with Laurie Hall, our Pastoral Associate, about taking the necessary steps to prepare their child for this Sacrament. She can be reached at 586-977-8080, Ext. 104, or emailed at LHall@sjfparish.org.

I am an adult interested in being baptized. What do I need to do?

Adults seeking Baptism receive formation through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults to prepare to receive this Sacrament of Initiation. Contact Laurie, our Pastoral Associate, to learn more about the process. She can be reached at 586-977-8080, Ext. 104, or emailed at LHall@sjfparish.org.

Freed from Sin.

Baptism frees us from the bondage of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. At baptism, the presider prays over the water:

Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit (Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A).

Today, the Sacrament of Baptism is often performed on infants shortly after birth. Adult baptisms take place at the Easter Vigil through the restored Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Adults or children who have been baptized in a valid Christian Church are not baptized again in the Catholic Church. As we say in the Nicene Creed, “I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”

The Catechism teaches…

"The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, and birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact, the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ" (CCC 1279).

Baptismal symbols.

Water. The waters of Baptism recall Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal as we begin a new life in Christ. We are washed clean of sin.

Oil. At Baptism, we are anointed into the life of Christ as “priest, prophet and king.” A cross is traced on the candidate’s forehead as a reminder that we are inheritors of the Kingdom of God.

Light. The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal or Easter candle that stands in the Church as a sign of Christ’s light in the world. At Baptism, we receive the light of Christ and are called forth to share this light with the world.

A white garment. The white garment that is placed upon us at baptism is a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection. Likewise, the white garment or pall that is placed over the coffin at the time of death recalls our baptismal promises and reminds us that we are destined for eternal life.

Who can baptize?

While in ordinary circumstances, Sacraments in the Catholic Church are administered validly by a member of the ordained clergy, in an emergency situation, the sacrament of baptism can be administered by anyone.

In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided, that they have the intention of doing that which the Church does, and provided that they pour water on the candidate’s head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).