Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is often called "The door of the Church," because it is the first of the seven sacraments not only in time (since most Catholics receive it as infants) but also in priority, since the reception of the other sacraments depends on it. Once baptized, a person becomes a member of the Church. Traditionally, the rite (or ceremony) of baptism was held outside the doors of the main part of the church, to signify this fact. It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

At St. Magdalen’s, baptisms of infants and young children are celebrated for families who are registered members of the parish. Below are the requirements for infant baptism and a brief overview of the process.

1. If the parents live inside the parish boundaries, they should register to begin the process.
2. Attend a baptismal course that briefly reviews the theology and rite of the sacrament ofBaptism. Arrangements for the Parent Preparation Class and Baptism may be made by calling the Church Office at (908) 751-1723.
3. Parents must provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

Are you an adult who is seeking baptism? Have you ever wondered about what Catholics believe or want to become a Catholic? If you are not baptized, have been baptized in another Christian faith, or were baptized Catholic but never received Confirmation and Eucharist, please consider joining us to find out what it means to follow Christ as a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church. Jesus is calling us to grow in discipleship as we accompany each other on the journey of faith. Join our RCIA members in responding to Jesus’ call to “Come and follow me”.

To learn more about receiving the sacrament of Baptism, please contact Carmela Kinney.