The Rite of Baptism

Rite of Baptism during this time of COVID-19

October, 2020 -As our church begins outdoor Masses and Sacraments, the process will be different from what it was before COVID-19.  The Baptism Ministry has been hard at work to assure that all will be safe and those attending your children’s celebration can have peace of mind that the sacrament that all precautions and protocols are being observed.

If you are interested in Baptisms (or Baptism classes at Holy Family, South Pasadena, CA) you can call Holy Family’s reception at 626-799-8908 or send an e-mail to reception@holyfamily.org.

• With current restrictions, only one Family can be accommodated per each Baptism.  Due to the current situation concerning COVID-19 the Baptism can only be attended by a maximum of 30 people, all wearing masks, socially distanced, and so forth. Baptisms occur on the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Saturday through October and then will be returning to Sundays, starting in November.
• Godparents: A maximum of two Godparents will appear on the Baptismal Certificate.  At least one has to be Catholic.
• Location:  Baptisms currently take place in the breezeway
• Registered at Holy Family Church: In order to have your child baptized at Holy Family, you need to be registered as members of the parish.

If you wish to have your child Baptized at Holy Family, two classes are required – one for the parents and one for the parents and Godparents.  When both classes have been completed then the parent will be able to schedule the physical baptism.  The Baptism Ministry has developed new ways of meeting for these classes.

1. 1. Required Parent Class – can be taken via zoom

Zoom classes are scheduled multi-times per month, and require access to a Computer, Tablet, or Smartphone.  Zoom meetings attended via Computer/Tablet (require the Zoom Application be downloaded.)  Zoom meeting Room and Passwords will be supplied a day or so before the meeting. The Sacrament of Baptism is a wonderful time in your child’s life, they are welcomed into God’s Church and the Holy Family Community.  As a parent, you are the first example of God’s grace and love to your child, being attentive to the lessons offered in the classes affords you as a parent the opportunity to connect with Graces and the Love of God.  We ask that the parents give the 90 minutes their full attention, free from distractions and interruptions, so the information can flow freely.

2. Required Godparent and Parent Class – can only be taken via the zoom format

Once the first meeting has been attended, families can then schedule the Zoom meeting for Parents and Godparents.  Please send a request to reception@holyfamily.org to obtain the date for the next upcoming Parent/Godparent classes.  This class is scheduled once a month.

Besides providing the information later on in this page, you will also need to complete the Baptism Registration Form and provide it, as well as a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

Please note that the Pastoral Center at Holy Family Church is not open at this time, all information must be transmitted electronically.

When you send your request for Baptism information, please include the following:

Child(ren) name:

Parent #1 Name:

Parent #2 Name:

E-mail address parent 1

Email Address Parent 2

Physical Mailing Address

Phone number (cell) Parent 1

Phone number (cell) Parent 2

Home phone number (if different)

Name of God Parent #1

E-Mail Address:

Physical Address:

Phone number (cell)

Home Phone number (if different)

Name of God Parent #2

e-Mail Address:

Physical Address:

Phone number (cell)

Home Phone number (if different)

If you will need a certificate of class completion (if your child will be Baptized at a Parish other than Holy Family), these certificates will be mailed from the Church to the physical address supplied.

Traditional Rite (non-COVID 19 Baptisms)

The rite of baptism for infants begins with the parents asking the church to baptize their child. The bishop, priest, or deacon, in turn, makes the sign of the cross on the child and invites the parents and godparents to do the same. A lector, or the priest or deacon, then reads a passage from Scripture. Following the reading, the priest or deacon anoints the child on the forehead, lips, throat and chest with holy oil. The anointing is to protect the child from spiritual harm.

Everyone present at the baptism is invited to make a profession of faith and reject evil. The parents and godparents make this profession on behalf of the child and promise to provide for the child’s religious formation.

The family is invited near the baptismal font. The celebrant (bishop, priest or deacon) blesses the water. Usually the parent holds the child over the baptismal water font as the celebrant says, “[Child’s name] I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” All present respond “Amen.” At the threefold prayer, the celebrant three times pours water over the child’s forehead. The ritual of immersion or washing helps us understand that our sins are buried and washed away as we die with Jesus, and we are filled with divine light and life as we rise from immersion in the water or are cleaned by the pouring.

Following the immersion, the celebrant (priest or deacon) anoints the newly baptized with the sacred chrism (a perfumed oil), so that united with God’s people, the child may remain forever as a member of Christ, who is priest, prophet and king.

After the anointing with chrism the child is given a white garment, a symbol that the child is clothed in Christ’s protective love. A lit candle is given to the child’s family to remind the child and all of us that as baptized people, we are to be lights for our world.