Baptism

In modern times where the Church is long-established, most Catholics are baptized as infants or young children. The practice of infant baptism has its roots in the ancient western Church and applies to all children under the age of seven. In this case, the profession of faith of the parents stands in the place of the child who is not yet of the "age of reason". 

The Second Vatican Council restored the catechumenate for adults by which non baptized adults enter the Latin Church through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) receiving all three Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist in one celebration after a time of preparation.

This OCIA process is modified for children who have reached the "age of reason" but are still minors (7-17 years old). These children, like adults, are prepared through an age-appropriate catechumenate to make their own profession of faith to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. 

Therefore, in the Latin Church, there are three distinct paths depending on age by which a person can be baptized. For more details on baptismal preparation, click the age-appropriate button below.

If you are a registered parishioner or seeking to become a parishioner, please click the age range, fill out the form, and you will be contacted with more information.