Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism is often called "The door of the Church," because it is the first of the seven sacraments not only in time (since most Catholics receive it as infants) but in priority, since the reception of the other sacraments depends on it. It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Once baptized, a person becomes a member of the Church. Traditionally, the rite (or ceremony) of baptism was held outside the doors of the main part of the church, to signify this fact.
Christ Himself ordered His disciples to preach the Gospel to all nations and to baptize those who accept the message of the Gospel. In His encounter with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21), Christ made it clear that baptism was necessary for salvation: "Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." For Catholics, the sacrament is not a mere formality; it is the very mark of a Christian, because it brings us into new life in Christ.
Information about Godparents
Godparents join the parents in presenting the child for Baptism and help the child to lead a Christian life in harmony with the sacrament. The Rite of Baptism for Children asks them, “Are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian parents?” In helping the baptized child to lead a Christian Life through word and example, godparents assist the parents “in their duty.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains further that godparents “must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized child . . . on the road of Christian life.” In choosing a person to serve as a godparent, parents should consider carefully his or her capacity to provide this help.
Strictly speaking, a child needs only one godparent for Baptism (male or female), but may have two godparents (one male and one female). As long as there is one (Catholic) godparent, a baptized person belonging to a non-Catholic Christian community may serve as a witness to the Baptism. This Christian witness does not assume the obligations of a godparent and therefore should not respond to questions directed to the godparents during the celebration of Baptism. A person who was baptized Catholic but has abandoned the practice of the Catholic faith would not be a suitable choice as an official Christian witness to a Catholic Baptism. Parents are free to invite others to witness the Baptism, in accord with family or cultural traditions, but only two persons (either two godparents, or one godparent and one Christian witness) are entered, by name, into the official record. EXCERPT FROM INSTRUCTIONS FOR SACRAMENTS – INFANT BAPTISM © 2012 CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF RICHMOND
Code of Canon Law, can. 874 § 1 requires that a godparent be:
- At least 16 years old.
- Fully-initiated Catholic (having received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
Not bound by any canonical penalty (e.g. a person who is married must be in a marriage which is
recognized by the Church) - Leading a life of faith befitting the role to be undertaken. (Regularly attending Mass on Sunday and
living the faith) - Not parents of the child.
Code of Canon Law, can. 873 requires:
- There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.
Baptism Session for Parents
Parents are required to attend one Baptism Session for Parents prior to the Baptism of their child. The session schedule can be found below. Sessions are waived for parents who have attended a session in the 24 months prior to the scheduled Baptism. Classes are held on Sunday afternoons and last about one hour and 30 minutes. We meet in the Seton room of the Church building. Below is the current schedule of dates. Please call Peggy Byers at 864-4714 or send an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up.
BAPTISM CLASS - please note the class time. Some are at 1pm and some are at 2pm.
- June 1, 2025 at 1pm
- August 3, 2025 at 1pm
- September 28, 2025 at 2pm
- December 7, 2025 at 1pm
- February 1, 2026 at 2pm
- March 29, 2026 at 1pm
- June 7, 2026 at 2pm
Baptism Schedule
Below are the dates scheduled for Baptism during our regular Weekend Liturgies. Please call Peggy at 864-4714 for availability and scheduling. We are limited to two families per Mass. No Baptisms are scheduled during Advent or Lent. Baptisms may be scheduled to occur during the Liturgy on Saturday 5:00 PM or any of the Sunday Liturgies at 7:15, 8:45, 11:15 AM or 5:00 PM.
DURING MASS
- May 10/11, 2025 limited availability
- June 14/15, 2025
- July 12/13, 2025
- August 16/17, 2025
- September 13/14, 2025
- October 18/19, 2025
- November 22/23, 2025
- January 10/11, 2026
- February 7/8, 2026
- April 11/12, 2026
- May 9/10, 2026
- June 20/21, 2026
This service is on selected Sunday afternoons at 1pm. A Baptism Service is a prayer service with Baptism and lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. No Baptism Services are scheduled during Advent and Lent. We are limited to six families per service. The presider for Baptism Services is one of our deacons. Here is our schedule through June 2025
BAPTISM SERVICE
- April 27, 2025 This Service is full
- May 18, 2025 This Service is full
- June 22, 2025
- July 20, 2025
- August 10, 2025
- September 21, 2025
- October 12, 2025
- November 16, 2025
- January 18, 2026
- February 15, 2026
- April 19, 2026
- May 17, 2026
- June 14, 2026
Paperwork required for Baptism
Prior to the Baptism or attending the preparation class you will need to complete a Baptism Data Form. You can request the form from the parish office or click here. Catholic godparents are required to complete and submit a Godparent Attestation Forms. This form is required by the Diocese and must be signed by the pastor from the godparent's parish or his delegate. Completed forms may be faxed to 804-560-3565 Attn: Peggy Byers, dropped off at the Parish Center, or mailed to St. Edward the Confessor Church, Attn: Peggy Byers, 2700 Dolfield Road, Richmond, VA 23235.
Updated 3/24/2025
