Baptism is the first sacrament. One must be baptized to receive the other sacraments. Through Baptism we become members of the Church, the Body of Christ. It is baptism that frees man from original sin and from personal guilt, it is Baptism that makes him (or her) a member of Christ and His Church. It is thus the door to a new and supernatural life. In short, it is the beginning of our journey of faith, a journey that deepens as we grow and mature in our relationship with the Lord.
In our tradition, a person does not become a Christian through personal assent, but rather at the moment of Baptism. Baptism therefore, is not an exterior sign reflecting the faith in Jesus that a believer has assented to earlier, but rather the moment when faith in Christ begins, and this is when a person actually becomes a Christian. Since Baptism is an essential component of salvation, it is important that everyone, including infants, are offered this tremendous gift.
Infant Baptism:
A human person is a blended wonderment of body, mind and spirit; all three must be properly cared for and nurtured. The gift of baptism is the most important way that an infant receives the proper spiritual nourishment in order to get them started on the right foot. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear on this point: “Christian parents will recognize that this practice [of infant baptism] also accords with their role as nurturers of the life that God has entrusted to them.”
Please contact the office to inquire about Baptizing your infant.
Adult Baptism:
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process whereby adults enter the Catholic Church. Persons who have not been Baptized, must attend RCIA. The RCIA process can take a few months, or a few years, depending solely on the individual, and when they are ready to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
For those Baptized in another faith and now seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, we welcome you to participate in the RCIA process and learn about our Catholic faith.
Interested in learning about our faith? Click here to learn more of the RCIA process at St Luke.