Baptisms are celebrated weekly (except during Lent) after the 4:15 pm Saturday Mass and after the 10:30 am Sunday Mass. Baptisms may also be celebrated during a weekend Mass. There are no baptisms during the Lenten Season. Click to download a Baptism Information Sheet. 

Since Pentecost, the Sacrament of Baptism has been celebrated as we understand it today. The word baptism comes from the Greek  baptizein, which means to "immerse." Our immersion into the water at Baptism symbolizes Christ's death. As we rise up from the water, we share in His Resurrection into new life. Baptism welcomes us into the Church, the Body of Christ, here on earth and claims us for God for eternity. 

Grace is evident throughout each step of the Sacramental rite:

Sign of the Cross
Briefly walking through the rite, the Sign of the Cross marks the person who will belong to Christ and "signifies the grace of the redemption Christ won for us by his cross."

Scripture Reading
The proclamation of the Word of God is to enlighten the candidates and assembly with the revealed truth. The faith response of this truth is inseparable from the sacrament.

Anointing with Oil
The person is anointed with the Oil of Catechumens to prepare them to profess the faith of the Church.

Invocation Over the Water
The invocation over the water asks the power of the Holy Spirit be sent upon the water so that persons baptized may be born of water and Spirit.

Immersion & Second Anointing
The essential rite is then performed, the immersion into the water. This is followed by a post-baptismal anointing, which announces the second anointing of Confirmation, to be administered later, to "confirm" and complete the baptismal sacrament. 

White Garment & Baptismal Candle
The white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has "put on Christ," has risen with Christ. The candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that Christ has enlightened the neophyte. In him, the baptized are "the light of the world."

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

For sacramental records from St. Anthony, contact:
Tina Masterson
Pastoral Associate
574-282-2308
church@stasb.org