Baptisms

English-speaking parents and godparents are required to view the "Reborn" video series, which can be accessed here using our parish FORMED subscription. There are six videos and several hours of viewing time. After you have viewed all the videos, please contact the parish office to arrange to complete your preparation, which sometimes includes meeting with a priest, to be scheduled through the Administrative Assistant.

Spanish-speaking parents, please contact Sister Imelda Quechol (706-676-3411) to prepare for the Baptism of your child.

Padres hispanos, comuníquense con la hermana Imelda Quechol (706-676-3411) para prepararse para el bautismo de su hijo.
 

Parents and Marriage 

*** If parents are living in an irregular marriage situation, their child can still be baptized. ***

When presenting their child for the Sacrament of Baptism, parents should understand the marriage laws of the Church. Read Fr. Carter's explanation on Marriage Situations here. Catholics in an irregular marriage and obstinately persisting in manifest grave sin (cohabiting, fornicating) would be bound by Canon 915 or 916 which prohibits reception of Holy Communion. 

Read Canons 915 and 916:

Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.

Can. 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.

It is still possible to baptize the child if they understand the irregularities of their situation and take steps to either regularize it (such as promising to live as brother and sister, petitioning for a declaration of nullity, or marrying if they are free to) or to live in accord with it (i.e., not receive Holy Communion). In the case of an irregular situation, it will be necessary to meet with the priest as part of your Baptism preparation, and this will be scheduled through the Administrative Assistant. 

Non-Parishioners Seeking Baptism at the Basilica

Basilica attendees who are not yet registered parishioners should become registered members prior to scheduling the Baptism of their child. 

Parents who are seeking Baptism for their child at the Basilica but are members of another parish should obtain a letter from their pastor, permitting the Baptism to be held at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, and will need to either complete Baptism preparation in their parish or watch the Reborn videos as noted above. 

Godparents (Sponsors)  

The purpose of the godparents (sponsors) is to be Christian witnesses. They must have been confirmed, be receiving the Eucharist, and leading the life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on, not bound by any canonical penalty. A godparent (sponsor) must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic in good standing and living in accord with the marriage laws of the Church. (Read about Marriage Situations here.) One or two godparents meeting these qualifications should be assigned by the parents.

If the godparent is not a Basilica parishioner, it is necessary to provide a letter of godparent suitability from the godparent's parish.

A baptized non-Catholic may participate as a witness but not as a sponsor.

If the godparents cannot be present at the Baptism, someone else may stand in for them as proxy. 

Godparents should prepare by watching the "Reborn" video series noted above.

Read Canon Law regarding Sponsors for Baptism (see Canons 872-874):

SPONSORS

Can. 872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.

Can. 873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.

Can. 874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:

1/ be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;

2/ have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;

3/ be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;

4/ not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;

5/ not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

§2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.

Godparent/Sponsor Affirmation of Faith and Morals - Please print this form or obtain a copy from the parish office. The prospective godparent/sponsor should fill out and sign the form and submit it to his/her parish for the pastor's signature. Submit completed forms to the Basilica prior to the Baptism.

*** A child can be baptized without a godparent if necessary. ***

Declaración de Fe y Moral para Padrino/Patrocinador
 

As mentioned above, the Basilica Baptismal preparation for parents and godparents includes watching the Reborn series on FORMED. Here is the information you will need to view the 6-video Reborn series required for baptism preparation:

• This series is available to view on the FORMED Catholic media website. To access the site, you will need to create an account. You can do this for free through our parish subscription. 

 

• Go to: www.stspeterandpaulbasilica.formed.org to create an account

 

• Locate our parish name and address in the list. 
   
• Once you are in the site and can start watching, you will find the Reborn series on the Sacraments bar. Please view all 6 videos in preparation for the baptism. We ask you to please notify us when you (and the godparents, if applicable) have completed watching the REBORN series. 

If the parents and/or godparents are coming from another parish and have received Baptismal preparation there, please send us a confirmation of that preparation program from your parish. Thank you.