Baptism

"Don't forget that the greatest inheritance you can give to your children is the faith. Try to see that it is not lost, nurture it and leave it as an inheritance." Pope Francis, January 10, 2016

Parent Requirements for Baptism

At least one parent of the child being baptized must be a baptized Catholic.

If neither parent is a baptized Catholic, we kindly ask that you schedule a meeting with our priest to discuss how we can ensure the child will be raised in the Catholic faith.

If you are a non-Catholic parent interested in becoming Catholic or completing your sacraments, we warmly invite you to explore our OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. We would be honored to accompany you on your faith journey!

Has Your Child Already Been Baptized in the Hospital?

If your child was baptized in the hospital, there is no need for another baptism. However, if you would like to arrange a special blessing ceremony—similar in appearance to a baptism and celebrated at the same time (with all the elements except the pouring of water)—please contact the parish office. We would be happy to assist you.

Guidelines by Age:

Infants (under 18 months): May be baptized during a weekend Mass.
Infants, toddlers, and young children (up to age 6 and not yet in school): Can be baptized at a dedicated baptism service.
Children age 7 and older: Must receive catechesis either through school or our parish Faith Formation program before being baptized. Please reach out to our Director of Faith Formation for more details and next steps.

Four Steps to Schedule A Baptism:

1. Take the Baptismal Preparation Class

Both parents are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation Class, either at St. Josaphat or another parish. If you are unable to attend together, please postpone and reschedule for a time when both parents can be present. If you have already taken the class in the past, you do not need to retake it.

Godparents are welcome to attend the class, though their participation is optional.

St. Josaphat’s Baptismal Preparation Class is typically held on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in the church. The session lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

At the conclusion of the class, you will receive a Certificate of Completion, which serves as official proof of attendance. This certificate may be required by other parishes if you are asked to be a godparent elsewhere.

Please note: Classes with fewer than two families registered may be canceled and rescheduled.

Baptismal Prep Booklet

2. Choose Godparents

You are required to choose at least one godparent for your child’s baptism.

You may have up to two official godparents recorded in the Church’s sacramental register. If you choose two, one must be male and the other female, in accordance with Church guidelines.

At least one godparent must be a baptized and confirmed practicing Catholic, as godparents commit to supporting the child’s upbringing in the Catholic faith.

If you wish to name a second godparent who is not Catholic but is a baptized Christian, they may serve as a Christian Witness. Christian Witnesses are listed in the sacramental record with a note identifying them as such.

You're welcome to include additional Honorary Godparents, regardless of whether they are baptized Catholics or Christians. While they can take part in the celebration, please note that only one male and one female godparent can be officially recorded in the sacramental register. (This is a requirement of Church law.)

Please note: Individuals who are not baptized cannot serve as godparents for a Catholic baptism.

What is the Role of Godparents? (Click here to expand)

To be chosen as a godparent is a special honor. You, above all others, have been entrusted with the responsibility to participate in this child's Christian life and education. This privilege offers you the opportunity to develop a mutually enriching spiritual relationship - one that will last throughout this life and beyond. There are many ways you can nurture this spiritual relationship and become a special friend to your godchild. Among them are:

Celebrate the anniversary of this holy day of Baptism each year with a visit, a call or a card.
As your godchild grows, listen to and share in the struggles and triumphs of living a Christian life, and keep yourself informed on Christian doctrine and values, to be able to answer questions as they arise.
Encourage a consistent life of faith through special cards, letters or gifts which celebrate holy events...Christmas, Easter...and personal growth events...graduation, first job, engagement. (Gift suggestions: a bible, spiritual book, rosary, religious jewelry, gift certificate for religious goods / books, retreat opportunity.)
Participate in, or send assurance of prayer, as your godchild receives other sacraments, particularly First Communion and Confirmation, which complete initiation into the Church community.
Be supportive of your godchild's parents in their role as the primary religious educators of their child.
And most importantly, become a model of Christian living for your godchild, through daily prayer, virtue and active participation in parish life and liturgy.

By living a Christian life in partnership with your godchild, both of you will experience the great joy of sharing a life of faith.

3. Choose A Baptism Date

Beginning 7/1/25, baptisms will be held during all weekend Masses the first Sunday of each month, and baptism services will be held every third Saturday of the month at 11am.

Dates are subject to change during holidays, events or Holy Days of Obligation.

There is no maximum number of children that can be baptized at a Mass or baptism service. The more the merrier!

4. Schedule Your Child's Baptism

Once you’ve completed the Baptismal Preparation Class and selected your godparents, please contact the parish office at (773) 327-8955 to schedule your child’s baptism.

Be sure to have your godparent information ready when you call, as we’re unable to reserve a baptism date without all the required details.

Frequently Asked Questions (click each to expand)

Can I schedule a private baptism for just our baby and our family?

All sacraments are meant to be celebrated within the context of the wider faith community. There is no such thing as a truly “private” sacrament. Sacraments are sacred moments where we encounter God together—in, with, and through one another. This is just as true for Baptism as it is for the Eucharist.

While certain circumstances (such as a hospital visit for the Anointing of the Sick, a single baby scheduled for Baptism, or the confidential nature of Reconciliation) may give the appearance of a private celebration, the Church’s hope is always that the grace of the sacrament is shared and supported by the larger community, even if not everyone can be physically present.

The joy of welcoming a new child into a family is also a joy for the entire parish community. Ideally, all sacraments would be celebrated with the full participation of the community. However, due to scheduling needs and space limitations, we offer sacramental celebrations at times that accommodate smaller groups. Even so, our hope is that each celebration includes members of the broader parish as a sign of support, unity, and shared faith.

How many other babies can I expect to be baptized with my child?

When should I have my child baptized?

What if I can’t make any of the scheduled dates?

What do we do on the day of the baptism?

Is there a fee for having my child baptized?

There is no fee to have a child baptized. Donations to our church and/or presider for having your child baptized are at your discretion (and are greatly appreciated). These contributions are considered a "Stole Fee" and are not tax deductible per IRS tax code:

A “Stole Fee” refers to money given to a cleric for the performance of sacramental functions ie: baptisms, weddings, funerals. The IRS does not classify these payments as tax-free “gifts” because the rendering of a service motivated the payment. It does not matter that the cleric requires no payment for the service, nor does it matter that some people give nothing under similar circumstances. Stole Fees are considered earnings subject to Federal Income Tax and Social Security Tax.