Celebration of Baptism
Baptisms at Arbour Hill on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 12 noon
To make a Baptism request please contact the office of the Head Chaplain at 01 804 2638
Why do we Christians baptize? After his Resurrection and before he ascended to the Father, the Lord gathered his disciples one last time and said to them: “”All authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world.” (Mt 28: 18 – 20).” The Church baptizes because the Lord has commanded us to do so.
Parents who wish to have their children baptized. The baptism of babies depends, not on the faith of the baby, but rather on the faith of the parents. It is presumed therefore that the parents (or at least one of them) are practicing members of the Catholic community and that the child will be brought up in the practice of the faith. In fact, the parents solemnly promise to do this during the baptismal ceremony.
They have a two-fold responsibility:
• To assist the parents in discharging their duties as Christian parents
• To be a model of Christian living to the child in question
Hence some people may not be suitable as godparents.
A sponsor must be:
• Not less than 16 years of age
• Be a catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith
A baptised person who belongs to a non-catholic ecclesial community may be admitted but only in company with a catholic sponsor and simply as a witness to the baptism.