What is Baptism?
Baptism is the sacrament that initiates us in the Christian life. Baptism erases the original sin, gives us faith and the divine life, makes us children of God and members of the Church. The Holy Trinity takes possession of the soul and begins to sanctify us.
When the children are born, the parents immediately give them a name, because they know that it is very important to call them in some way so that they can register them and to be "someone in special", with their first and last name, so that they are citizens of the country where they were born. Which makes them have rights and obligations.
However, the same thing does not happen with Baptism, sometimes we do not give it the importance it has or we are confused because we hear different opinions and we forget that the Bible tells us: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved". As we all know, men are born with the "original sin" committed by our first parents, Adam and Eve.
As God loves us very much and knew that while we were in sin, we could not live in friendship with Him, he sent us his Son Jesus Christ, who became man like us to save us and make possible the life of love with God.
For this, Christ died on the cross and was resurrected. In that way he overcame sin and made it possible for us to die to sin and be born again to the life of God. All this, thanks to Baptism.
We are all born separated from God, that is, "dead to the life of God" because of the original sin and we are born to the life of God, to the spiritual life, upon receiving Baptism.
Baptism, like all other sacraments, was instituted by Christ. He gave the command to the apostles to "go and baptize" all the creatures.
Through Baptism, God gives us the gift, the gift, of being children of Him, giving us his same Spirit, so that he may live in us. From that moment, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, will inhabit the baptized.
The material used in Baptism is natural water.
The form is the words that the minister says: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit", which must be pronounced at the same time as the water flows.
The minister is usually the priest. In case of need, that is, when a child or adult is in danger of death and it is not possible for the priest to be present, any person can administer it, as long as he/she intends to do so and uses the matter and the corresponding form. And it must be notified to the parish so that it gets registered and, in case the person lives, he/she can receive the solemn Baptism ceremony.
When it is not known if the person to be baptized is alive or dead, before saying the form the following words are added: "If you are alive, I baptize you .......... “.The subject is any person who has not been baptized:
Adults: you need to have the intention of receiving the Baptism, that you have faith, and that you are repentant of your sins.
Children: parents have the obligation to baptize their children as soon as possible after their birth. It is the right of children to receive from their parents all the gifts and values for their human and Christian development, Baptism is the most precious gift that parents have, "the gift of the life of grace". Just as they are registered to obtain their rights, they must be made children of God, make them partakers of their parents' faith, which is the most important thing, making them Christians.
Requirements for Baptism:
1. Parents have an obligation to have their children baptized in the first weeks.
2. As soon as possible after the birth and even before it, go to the parish priest to ask for the sacrament for your son and prepare properly.
3. Only parents have the right to take them to baptize.
4. In the case of adults, manifest their desire to be baptized and attend preparatory talks
5. Present the birth certificate to the priest or his representative.
6. Parents and godparents must take the pre-baptismal course.
Godparents: those who present the baptized in the Church, answer in their name and assume the responsibility of the baptized Christian education if their parents are gone. It requires a godfather and a godmother in case of children. In the case of an adult, there must be only one adult, who must watch that he leads a Christian life after being baptized. Being godparents does not imply taking on material responsibilities.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Bring Birth Certificate.
2. Stop by the Parish Office (Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) to fill out the Baptism Application Form.
3. Parents and Godparents must take the Pre-baptismal course. It is offered on the Wednesday before the third Sunday of the month, at 7:00 p.m. We suggest not bringing children. (If you have taken the course in other parishes, please bring the certification).
4. For the celebration of the Baptism they should bring a white candle and a white cloth or veil to cover the child's head at some point during the ceremony.
5. The stipend is $ 25.00 minimum, which must be paid when filling out the form. (Checks will not be accepted).
Celebration of Baptism: Third Sunday of each month, at the end of the 11:00 am Mass, in which must be present: Parents, Godparents and Baptizers.
If there are changes in dates or other details, they will be announced through the Parochial Bulletin.
INFORMATION
Secretary: Margarita Reyes (787) 752-2410
Deacon: Edwin Rivera García
Deacon: Cándido Martínez
Deacon: Santiago Román
(To be able to print the application you must have Adobe Reader installed)....DOWNLOAD HERE
