Baptism

The Baptism preparation program is designed to help parents better understand the religious significance and meaning behind the use of symbols during your child's Baptism ceremony.  We will also equip you with some concrete, practical suggestions for raising your children in the Catholic Faith and tradition.   Please e-mail Therese Recinella at for more information about our program, and specific dates regarding Baptism Preparation meetings and Baptisms.  Therese can also be reached in the Religious Formation Office at 202-449-3989.

The Program

The program consists of two sessions, which can be attended in any order:

  1. Meeting led by a priest or deacon – deals with the meaning of baptism, the Rite of Baptism, and the symbols in the rite. 
  2. Meeting led by parents – deals with the faith journey of the parents, the rituals and traditions of the Catholic faith, and the responsibility and joy of being the first teachers of the children in matters of faith.

Steps in preparing for Baptism:

  1.  Attend classes, if required:
     
    a. Those having their first child baptized: Required to attend both sessions
    b. Those who have had children baptized at other parishes (even if they have  completed a baptism preparation in that other parish): Required to attend the session led by parents
    c. Those who took part in our program more than five years ago: May be asked to attend the meeting led by parents
    d. Those who have attended both sessions in our program within the past five years: Exempt from the meetings and need only to schedule your child’s baptism date.
  2. You will receive an e-mail document containing all the information about the times and places of the preparation sessions and a Registration for Baptism Preparation Form.  On this form you will indicate which sessions you will be attending and return it to Therese Recinella.  You will receive an e-mail reminder the week before the sessions.
  3. Once you have signed up for preparation, you will receive the next form, Request for Infant Baptism, and may choose the date for Baptism from the schedule.  The date for Baptism is scheduled after the sessions are completed.  Baptisms are scheduled twice a month and are communal celebrations outside the Mass.  Options for baptisms during Mass as well as private baptisms are also available - please call or email Therese Recinella for further information.

Contact

Therese Recinella, Coordinator of Baptism, 202-449-3989 or

For information on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), please click here.