Baptism

Baptism is the Sacrament which cleanses us from Original Sin, makes us children of God, followers of Christ and members of His Church. At our Baptism God shares with us His Life and His Love which mankind was deprived of by Original Sin.

Baptism is the Sacrament that frees man from original sin and from personal guilt, that makes him a member of Christ and His Church. It is thus the door to a new and supernatural life.

This Sacrament has been undisputed in the Church since the beginning of Christian tradition. It has never been rejected by any heresy intending to remain on a Christian basis. Doubts could arise only about the ways and means of administering it and on its effects and way of operation. These things are therefore in essence what Church documents about baptism deal with.

Baptism is a true Sacrament instituted by Christ. The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus. Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist. The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters. "He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake...to begin a new creation through the Sprit and water" (St. Gregory Nazianzen, Liturgy of the Hours, I, 634). Jesus' immersion in the water is a sign for all human beings of the need to die to themselves to do God's will. Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin. However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin - Original and actual - and begin to live a new life with God.

Note: from Pope Innocent III AD 1201. "The baptism of young children is not profitless. As circumcision made men members of the People of Israel, so baptism gives them entry to the kingdom of heaven......"

Process:

Baptisms are celebrated once each month (except during Lent) in English and Spanish. Parents and Godparents must attend a preparation meetings before a Baptism. Please call the Parish Office at (805) 967-5641 for an appointment.

Parents wishing to baptize their child at St. Raphael Church should come to the Parish Office during business hours on Monday through Friday. Please bring with you a copy of the child's birth certificate. You will be asked to complete a form at that time and to provide a copy of the birth certificate from the state or local government. Following approval of the application for baptism, parents and godparents must attend a formation class either at St. Raphael Church or at another approved location. Once all the paperwork has been completed and all parents and godparents have attended the class, a date for baptism can be scheduled. The requested donation for baptism is $25.

Registration Form (Adobe PDF, 18 KB)

Sponsors/Godparents:

Whenever a person is baptized, as an infant, as a a child, or as an adult, there should be at least one person present who will act as sponsor for the one being baptized. The sponsor, commonly referred to as one's godmother or godfather, accepts the responsibility of helping the person grow in the Catholic faith. One who acts as a sponsor for an infant or child agrees to help the parents teach their children about the faith and how to live as a practicing Catholic. One who acts as sponsor for an adult agrees to encourage and support the person, pray with and for the person, and offer whatever help, information, or support is needed while the person is preparing to enter the Church and then is living out the rest of his or her life as a practicing Catholic.

For a person to act as a sponsor for Baptism, he or she must be at least sixteen years old, must have already received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist), and must be living in a way that demonstrates that one's faith is strong enough to be able to fulfill the responsibilities involved with being a sponsor. A sponsor who is married must be married in accord with the laws of the Church (cf. CIC, can. 874).