Baptism is a great gift to give your child. It welcomes them into the church founded on Christ’s love for us all. The parish of Midleton welcomes all applications from families residing in the parish. In exceptional circumstances, requests from those living outside the parish can be considered.
On the day of the Baptism
As a courtesy to the priest and any other families that may be having a combined ceremony, please aim to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
PARKING is available in the Church car park.
Guidelines for choosing godparents
There may be one or two godparents (sponsors). When there are two sponsors, one must be male (godfather) and the other female (godmother).
Godparents must be:
- at least sixteen years old
- baptised, confirmed, and have received the Eucharist
- be practicing catholics
- someone other than either parent
Times for Baptism
- Saturdays at 4:30 PM in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary
- Sundays at 1:15 PM in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary
- On the 2nd Sunday of each month at 1:15 PM in St Colman’s Church, Ballintotis, only
Your faith is important
Your most important preparation is to look at your own faith. Your baby will be born with your features and will pick up your mannerisms. As he or she gets older, your child will grow up, too, with your faith. That is why, when you approach the church about having your child baptised, you are encouraged to think through your own faith and the part it plays in your life.
The very fact that you have asked to have your baby baptised shows that you recognise the importance of God in your life. From the earliest days, children too young to answer for themselves have been baptised, usually as they accompanied their parents into the Church. For the Church recognises the desire of Christian parents to share the life of Christ with their children.
Growing in God’s Love
Your efforts will not only help your baby to grow up in the love of God; they will also help you to grow. As you teach your child to pray, you yourself will deepen your prayer; as you teach your child to appreciate the Mass, your own faith will be enriched.
Your baby’s baptism is only the beginning of a new life in which you will grow closer to one another in the family and closer to God. The Church welcomes your child into its midst with love and prayers for the future peace and happiness of your family in the years ahead.
What next?
We hope that the celebration of your child’s baptism will be the beginning of a long and happy relationship between your family and our parish community.
You are warmly invited to come along to Sunday Mass and to become actively involved in parish life as your child grows. Attending Mass regularly will help your child to feel at home in the church and will allow them to see faith lived out in a community.
If you have older children, we encourage you to involve them in the parish’s children’s liturgy, altar serving, or youth activities. Our parish schools and sacramental programmes will also help your child prepare for First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the years ahead.
We also welcome you to take part in parish events, ministries, and volunteer opportunities so that your child will grow up seeing faith in action.
The Signs and Symbolism of Baptism
Sign of the Cross
A sign on something shows its origins or ownership. The sign of the cross is the mark of Christians for Jesus Christ died on the cross. Parents and Godparents trace it on the child’s forehead to show that the baby belongs to Christ, who now offers his help and grace to face and overcome the sufferings of life.
Water
This is for cleansing and is a sign that our sins are washed away. Baptism cleanses us of original sin with which we are all born and, in the baptism of adults, of every sin committed prior to baptism. Water is also necessary for life and so is a sign, too, that the life of the risen Christ is ours.
Oils
Oil of Baptism is olive oil rubbed on the breast of the baby, just as athletes used to rub themselves with oil to strengthen and prepare for the fight ahead. Oil of Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam (sweet-smelling ointment) and is rubbed on the crown of the head. It is a sign of sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The profession of faith which you make on behalf of your child at baptism will later be confirmed personally by your child in the sacrament of confirmation when Oil of Chrism will be used again. The oils are blessed by the bishop around the time of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday.
White Garment
This garment (usually a white shawl) is a relic of the new clothes worn by Christians after baptism in the first centuries. It is a sign of innocence and the new life of resurrection.
Candles
These symbolise Christ – the Light of the World. The baptismal candle is lit from the paschal candle, which stands near the altar at Easter as a sign of the risen Christ. The baptismal candle reminds us that the light of Christ has entered the child’s life and its flame symbolises the flame of faith which will burn through the life of your child.
Baptismal Register
Your baby’s baptism will be recorded in the parish Baptismal Register. In the years ahead proof of baptism may be obtained in form of a certificate issued on the basis of this registration. Your child’s confirmation, marriage or ordination will also be noted alongside this entry in the register.
DOWNLOAD A BAPTISMAL APPLICATION FORM HERE