Baptism

Baptism is an initiation process that expresses our desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church…

The priest pours water on the candidate's head three times and says, "[Name], I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The applicant is also anointed with Chrism oil, which has been blessed by the bishop. This is both a sign and a symbol that the candidate has been "sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ's own for all time." 

In the Episcopal Church, we baptize both newborns and adults, following the tradition of the early church, because we believe that God's love extends to everyone, regardless of age or comprehension of doctrine. Any baptismal applicant is urged to have godparents or sponsors who commit to encouraging the newly baptized to follow the Christian faith. 

Baptism is typically performed at the Sunday Eucharist as the community vows to support the baptized in their faith development. Baptism is traditionally celebrated at four different periods: the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord in January, the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday, the feast of Pentecost (50 days after Easter), and the feast of All Saints are the usual dates for baptisms (November 1). 

However, the rite of baptism is available at any time of year. We can baptize when those who should be there are present, when the candidate for baptism (or her/his/their parents) is ready, and when the church community comes together in support. God greets you. 

If you or a loved one would want to be baptized, please contact our church office, parishoffice@stmaryslb.org