Baptism of Children
Baptism is the foundation and font of the spiritual life of a Catholic.
Our parish will, with joy, welcome your child into the mystery of sharing in the life of the Holy Trinity.
Those wishing to have their child baptized at St. Mary should contact the parish office at 618-224-9335 or stmary@stmarytrenton.com
Baptisms are scheduled at a mutually agreeable date between the pastor/deacon and the parents. (We do not celebrate baptism during Lent except in exceptional circumstances.) Parents are encouraged to have their children baptized within a couple months of birth if possible. Normally, baptism is celebrated during a Saturday Vigil Mass or Sunday Mass to emphasize that the child is being welcomed into the Body of Christ which the congregation is the physical manifestation of and to enable the community to welcome the child. Before baptism, the parents (and Godparents, if possible) are asked to participate in a one time formation session with Deacon John Mote, at a mutually agreeable date and time. This meeting is best done before the birth of the child, but will also be scheduled after birth when necessary. Children over 7 years of age take part in a special preparation program. Contact the parish office for more information.
Baptism of Adults
If an adult has not been baptized in another Christian denomination and wishes to become Catholic we extend an open invitation to learn more about the Catholic Church and what would be involved in being baptized as a member of the Roman Catholic Church. The first step is to contact a member of our pastoral staff.
The process for an adult (anyone over age 14) preparing for baptism is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults often referred to as the RCIA. It involves four periods of formation that can vary in length according to the needs of the person seeking baptism and the discernment of those charged with the ministry of preparing the adult for baptism.
The process begins with a time of INQUIRY. During this time the person seeking to become Catholic has time to have their questions answered and is invited to experience an “initial conversion” to belief in and encounter with Jesus Christ through the Church.
Following this is a period called the CATECHUMENATE, where the adult is received as a Catechumen and is formed in Christian belief and life in a more structured way. The readings of Sunday Mass provide the starting point in formation sessions and the teachings of the Catholic Church are explored more deeply. The Catechumen, with the help of a sponsor becomes more active in the service ministry of the church and parish life. They are assisted in growing in the discipline of prayer, also.
When it is discerned that the catechumen is ready for Baptism at the next Easter celebration, he or she enters a period of PURIFICATION during the preceding Lent (6 Sundays before Easter). Through prayer, reflection and ritual the person, now called a member of the “Elect,” is strengthened in the image of Christ they already have shown by their life and freed through prayer from whatever is weak and still tempted by the devil to deny Christ as Savior.
Adult Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion takes place during the “Easter Vigil” the night before Easter Sunday.
Following full initiation completed at the Easter Vigil, the newly baptized continue their formation in a period called MYSTOGOGIA. This is a time to reflect more deeply on the “mysteries,” that is the Sacraments and living the redeemed life they have received as part of their initiation and growing in their living the Catholic Christian life-style. In a sense this period lasts the rest of the person’s life.
Each period, with the exception of Mystogogia, concludes with a liturgical rite that marks the transition to a new stage in the person’s relationship with the Church.