The Sacrament of Baptism is the first “Sacrament of Initiation”, allowing us to enter into a new beginning in our lives of faith. Baptism unites us with Jesus Christ, incorporating us into His life, death, and resurrection.

Because this Sacrament begins a new chapter in our life of faith, Baptism requires a preparation process. For infants and toddlers, this process begins with their parents desiring to raise their child in the Catholic faith. They may call the Rectory at (830)379-1796 to express their interest in having their child Baptized. They will be able to schedule a preparatory session prior to scheduling their child’s Baptism.

For older children or adults, the process begins with a call to the Rectory to express interest in receiving Baptism. Those preparing for Baptism will be invited to attend a program called RCIA the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, which has also been adapted for children.

Baptism Policies St. James Parish Seguin, TX

Baptism, the first sacrament, is critically important to the spiritual life of the individual, of 
the family, and of the parish and whole Church. It is the first sacrament and the beginning of a 
life of faith and grace.

St. James Parish welcomes parents to present their children for the Sacrament of Baptism and to teach them to live the Catholic Faith as members of a parish, a community of faith.

Baptism makes us to belong to Christ and to the Church, incorporates us into the Catholic faith community, and cleanses us of all sin. We expect families to participate in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church and to help their children to continue to grow in the Faith.

Baptism is important administratively because the particular parish church where one is baptized becomes the official location of record for other sacraments received. This is important when verification is needed for the Sacraments of Confirmation, Matrimony, or Holy Orders.

St. James Parish requires parents and godparents to attend the Baptism preparation class. We want to help parents and godparents to deepen their understanding of Baptism and its implications in our lives. We want to help prepare them to meet their responsibilities as Christian parents and godparents.

Please contact the parish office to attend the Baptism preparation class.

Both parents need to attend preparation classes. In the case of a single-parent household when one parent will be responsible for the child’s Catholic upbringing, the one parent needs to attend.

Classes are scheduled on the 1ˢᵗ or 2ⁿᵈ Saturday morning of the months of January, March, May, July, September, and November. St. James Parish celebrates the Sacrament of Baptism during the Sunday Eucharistic Liturgies on the weekend of the 4ᵗʰ Sunday of the month, except in Lent. We do not celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism in Lent except in the case of an emergency. We will try to accommodate the parent’s request for Baptism at a particular Mass on that weekend.

PARENTS
Parents are responsible for their child’s faith growth and participation in the sacraments.

Parents need to be registered at St. James Parish for at least six months before bringing their 
child for Baptism. Exceptions:
a. Parents who are preparing to be Godparents at another parish.
b. Parents who grew up as parishioners of St. James, have family who have current ties to St. James and want to baptize their children at St. James. They need to attend preparation classes in their parish and get a permission letter from their pastor to baptize at St. James.
c. If parents attended classes recently (no more than three years previous), and provide documentary evidence of this, they do not need to attend current classes. Documentary evidence must be provided to the church office.

To provide the best example of Catholic living to their child, we encourage parents whose marriages are not blessed by the Church to begin working toward celebrating a Catholic sacramental marriage.

GODPARENTS
“The Godparent is a person who, together with the parents, presents an infant for baptism. The 
Godparent is to help the child lead a Christian life and to fulfill obligations connected with it” 
(Canon 872). Only one male or female or one of each sex is to be employed (Canon 873).

The godparent must:
a) be designated by the parents or pastor and have the qualifications for and intention of 
performing this role.
b) be at least 16 years of age.
c) be a Catholic, who has celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation and has received the Sacrament of Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the Faith and the role to be undertaken.
d) not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared.
e) not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
f) if married, must be married in the Church.

A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial church community may not be a godparent but may be a Christian witness to Baptism together with a Catholic sponsor (Canon 874).

Please see below for downloadable Baptism Documents.