How Do I Have My Child Baptized?

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church’s way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.

Baptisms are held the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at noon. Once all paperwork is turned in you can schedule a date for the Baptism.

If you have to cancel a scheduled baptism at the last minute or are running late for your child's scheduled Baptism please email Chris Flack at [email protected]. Do not call the parish to leave a message as phone calls are not picked up until Monday. If you are more than 10 minutes late you may have to reschedule the Baptism for another date.

Requirements (For more detail please see the FAQ's below)

• Be registered members of OLG and live locally. (some exceptions made - see below)
• Complete Baptism registration form (See below)
• Have Godparents obtain Letters of Eligibility from their parish
• Complete the Baptism Preparation class. (See below)
• Please contact Chris Flack at [email protected] or 215-757-5530 if you have an older child who needs to be Baptized.

Baptism Registration Form (Please print and fill out)

All forms and paperwork MUST be turned in before a date will be scheduled for the Baptism. This includes:
 Baptism Registration Form
 Certificate of completion of the Baptism Preparation Program 
 Eligibility letters for each Godparent
 Any required permission letters from the parish where you  are registered. (Only needed if you are not a member of Our Lady of Grace.)

 Paperwork is to be turned into the IHM Center at 338 Hulmeville Ave. Penndel, PA. You may also drop forms off at this address using the gray drop box next to the handicap ramp.

If this is your first child or it has been more than 3 years since you last had a child Baptized at OLG you are required to complete the Baptism Preparation Program. Classes are offered in person on the last Sunday of each month at 12:30PM in the Chapel. Please call or email the Faith Formation Office to pre-register. 215 757-5530 or [email protected] or [email protected]

Are there any requirements in order to have my child baptized at Our Lady of Grace?
You are required to be a registered parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Parish to have your child Baptized here. We ask that as an adult with a child you register as an individual household and not under your parents parish registration. This is true even if you are still living with your parents. If you need to register you may fill out the form here and take/mail it to the IHM Center (338 Hulmeville Ave., Penndel, PA 19047). If you live outside Our Lady of Grace's parish boundaries but have a personal connection with a registered parishioner (i.e. grandparents are members of the parish) you are still able to have your child baptized here. In this case, a letter must be received from the your own parish granting permission for the Baptism to be performed here. All parents are required to complete the Baptism Preparation Program. (See above) 

Is there a cost to have my child baptized?
The Church does not charge a fee for Baptism. If however you wish to give the parish a donation, $50.00 is suggested.

Who can be a Godparent?
Church law requires that there is at least one godparent for the child baptized. Here are the requirements for a godparent:

• Must be a fully initiated Catholic of at least 16 years of age. (A fully initiated Catholic is one who has received Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation.)
• Must practice the Catholic faith by joining in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church which includes the celebration of Sunday Mass and Communion weekly and on Holy Days.
• If married, the marriage was before a Catholic Priest or Deacon or before another religious or civil official with a dispensation from the Bishop.
• Should be a model of the Catholic faith for the candidate and help in the preparation of the candidate for the Sacrament.
• May not be the parent of the child.
• Godparents must obtain a Letter of Eligibility from their parish. This letter shows that you meet all of the requirements needed to be a godparent.
  • If you are a potential godparent that is a registered parishioner of Our Lady of Grace, you may print and fill out the required Letter of Eligibility, sign it, and take/mail it to the IHM Center (338 Hulmeville Ave., Penndel, PA 19047) for the Pastor to approve and then forward to the Office of Faith Formation.

Can a non-Catholic be a godparent?
No, only a Catholic can be a godparent because they are asked to promise to help support raising the child in the Catholic faith. A non-Catholic baptized Christian can serve as official “Christian Witness” to the baptism. The Christian Witness will need to send in a copy of their Baptismal Certificate.
An unbaptized person cannot be a godparent or witness. A Baptized Catholic cannot be a Christian Witness. Baptized Catholics must meet the eligibility requirements for a Godparent. 

What if the godparents can’t come to the actual celebration?
You can have a proxy stand in for the godparent(s). The proxy must meet all the requirements to be a Godparent and must have a letter of eligibility. The child's parents cannot be proxy's. Both the Godparents and Proxy information must be turned into the office so the Baptism can be recorded correctly.

When are Pre-Baptism Classes at Our Lady of Grace?
If this is your first child or it has been more than 3 years since you last had a child Baptized at OLG you are required to take a Pre-Baptism Class. Classes are offered in person on the last Sunday of each month at 12:30PM in the Lourdes room of the Church. Please call or email the Faith Formation Office to pre-register. 215 757-5530 or [email protected]

When are Baptisms at Our Lady of Grace?
Baptisms take place on the second and fourth Sunday of each month beginning at 12:00 PM in the church, (try to be in the church 10 minutes beforehand).   You will choose a date once all your paperwork is in.

May I take pictures?
Pictures are allowed, but please be respectful during the Sacrament.