Baptism
“Baptism is the door of the spiritual life and the gateway to the sacraments.”
In the Catholic Church we baptise infants to welcome them into our faith and to free them from the original sin we are all born with. It is the first of our holy sacraments and it marks the birth of your child into the community of the Church.
Baptisms are celebrated on Sunday during the year, but as a rule we do not baptise during the seasons of Lent.
Once you have filled in the form the office will give you a call to discuss dates and times.
The following are some basic requirements for parents:
You need to attend Sunday Mass weekly in the Church in which you intend to have your child baptised for at least three months.
If you live outside our catchment area, we will require you to obtain permission from your local Priest in order for us to perform the baptism.
At least one parent (or legal guardian) must give permission.
There must be a well-founded hope the child will be raised in the Catholic faith. The priest must be satisfied that the child will be brought up with Catholic beliefs and practices. If there is no clear plan or commitment to raise the child in the faith, the Priest may postpone the baptism until the situation changes. There is an expectation that the family is attending and will continue to attend Mass regularly as this is the cornerstone of our faith.
Participation in a Baptism Preparation course. There is no exception to this. You MUST attend all three sessions or the baptism will not go forward.
How to Choose a Godparent
Key Requirements (Canon Law, applicable in Portsmouth)
According to Canon Law (especially Canons 872‑874), a godparent must:
Be designated by the parents (or the person being baptized if an adult).
Be at least 16 years old, unless the bishop or pastor grants an exception for a good reason
Be a Catholic who has been validly baptized, has received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and already received the Eucharist.
Lead a life of faith in keeping with the responsibility — i.e. live in conformity with what the Church teaches, participate in the sacramental life, etc
Not bound by any canonical penalty (for example, excommunication or other penalties recognized by the Church).
6. Not be the father or mother of the one baptized. The godparent must be someone other than one of the child’s parents.
7. You may have one or two godparents. If there are two, often one should be male and one female.
8. At least one Catholic godparent is required. A non-Catholic Christian (e.g., Protestant) may serve as a Christian witness, but only alongside a Catholic godparent.
9. Non-Christians (e.g., Muslim, Jewish, atheist, etc.) cannot be godparents or official witnesses in Catholic baptisms.
9. A godparent must be a practising Catholic: active in the faith, attending Mass, etc
Seeking Adult Baptism? Contact the Parish Office or one of the Clergy to discuss