The Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism is the external sign celebrating the entrance of a person into the total Christian Community as well as into a specific parish family such as St. Monica parish. This reality, being welcomed into a family, is what we celebrate at Baptism, and this reality should exist. It is obvious that almost every parish falls far short of being this ideal Christian Community that we envision, but our aim is to become that ideal Community. We want to be so much like our early Christian ancestors that it can be said of us as it was said of them: "See how these Christians love one another." The responsibility falls on each of us.

At Baptism the Christian Community welcomes and accepts the child at the invitation of the parents. Confirmation can be seen as the child, when he or she is no longer a child makes a personal choice to accept the Community. Thus, next to the parents as the single biggest influence on the life of a child, the Christian Community is the biggest gift parents can give to their children. However, in order for the Christian Community to help parents in the formation of the child, he or she must be present to it and in it. The support of the rest of the family, the Christian Community, helps parents realize that they are not alone in raising their children. We are all responsible in some way, and we work together to shoulder that responsibility.

Therefore, communal Baptism, with other children, is strongly encouraged.

Summary of Steps For Having Your Child Baptized

1. Register your child for baptism (two months in advance of the date), using the Baptism Registration Form, which can be downloaded by clicking the Registration button to the right. For Acrobat Users: If you have the full version of Adobe Acrobat, you can fill out this form, save it, and attach it to an e-mail. You can send the e-mail to Dorothy Butcher for processing. For Acrobat Reader Users: If you are using Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can fill in this form on your computer and print it out, but you will not be able to save the completed document (which is necessary to use it as an attachment for e-mail). Please print out the file and send it to St. Monica Parish via fax, postal service, or by bringing it into the Pastoral Center. Address and fax information is on the form.

2. Interviews are required for parents. We will contact you for this interview.

Age of Infant Baptism

Parents should see to it that their children are baptized within a reasonable period after birth. Arrangements for baptism should be made as soon as possible after birth. If children have reached the age of reason (usually first grade), they would enter the Religious Education program to prepare for the sacraments of initiation, including baptism.

Requirements for Parents

1. At least one parent must be a Catholic.

2. As well as the interview, you must attend the Baptism Class which we offer here at St. Monica. Parents may attend a class at another parish (please provide a certificate of completion with the Baptism Name and date of Baptism in the upper right hand corner, clearly printed). Mail the certificate to St. Monica Church, 725 California Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90403, Attention: Infant Baptism.

Requirements for Godparents

1. They are to be at least 16 years old, a confirmed Catholic, practicing their faith, and be willing to accept the responsibility of supporting their godchild in faith.

2. If you have only one Godparent, then that person can be either male or female. If you have two Godparents, then one must be male and the other female.

3. The godparents must attend the Baptism Class which we offer here at St. Monica. Godparents may attend a class at another Catholic parish (please provide a certificate of completion with the Baptism Name and date of Baptism in the upper right hand corner, clearly printed). Mail the certificate to St. Monica Church, 725 California Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90403, Attention: Infant Baptism.

The suggested donation for Baptism is $75. All the sacraments are free, the same as God's love for us. However, we ask you to help contribute to the on-going support of the Church. Your gift should be given at the time of your child's Baptism.

Dates for the Celebration of Infant Baptism

You can download the Baptism Calendar by clicking the link in the upper right margin. This schedule is subject to change. Please contact the Pastoral Center at (310) 566-1500 to confirm baptism dates.

Baptisms begin at 3:00 p.m. in the Church. Please arrive by 2:45 p.m. to check in.

Please note that a Child must be registered two months in advance of baptism date. You can download the Baptismal Registration Form by clicking the link in the upper right margin. Thank you.

Baptismal Registration
Baptism Calendar