Baptism
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
- Matthew 3:17
What is Baptism?
By Baptism we become members of the Church, the Body of Christ.
The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus. Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist. The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters. . . . Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin. However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God.
In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ's call to holiness. In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.
~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
The Requirements of the Parent/Guardian
Parents/Guardians and Godparents are
required to attend a Baptismal Retreat Before Scheduling
Baptismal Retreats in English will be held in the Duffy Center on the following dates:
- February 21, 2026
- May 23, 2026
- August 22, 2026
- November 21, 2026
For more information, please contact Christine Schwenke at 843-651-3737 ext. 227
Baptismal Retreats in Spanish will be held at St. James in Conway on the following dates:
- January, 10 2026
- April 11, 2026
- July 11, 2026
- October 10, 2026
For more information, please contact Felipe Castillo at 843-651-3737 ext. 223
Scheduling Baptisms
Baptisms will be held the First Saturday of the month at 11:30AM or Sunday, upon request at the 9AM or 11AM Mass. Baptisms in Spanish will be on Sunday at the 1PM Mass.
The Requirements of Sponsor
Sponsor Certificates and/or Christian Witness Letters are due in the office two weeks prior to the date of the Baptism.
The role of sponsor is an important one for the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. The
Church sees the sponsor as a fully-initiated Catholic who supports the one receiving the sacrament
with example and instruction. Because of the seriousness of this ministry, the Church has the
following requirements:
Requirements for a Catholic Sponsor
The sponsor must be a fully-initiated member of the Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
The sponsor must be at least sixteen (16) years of age.
In this case, the Catholic who is younger than 16 must be fully initiated.
The sponsor must have an active life of faith in the Church and provide good example.
Someone married outside the Church is not able to receive Communion and is not able to be a sponsor.
Also, a Catholic who has left the Church is not able to be a sponsor of a new member into the Church.
Therefore, a Catholic who has left the Catholic Church cannot be a sponsor, and cannot be a "Christian witness" if they join another Christian communion.
The sponsor cannot be either parent.
When there are two sponsors, they are "spiritual parents" and are to be a godfather and godmother.
Christian Witness — (A baptized non-Catholic Christian)
Provided there is one Catholic sponsor, a baptized non-Catholic Christian may serve as a Christian
witness for Baptism only. This person is a Christian witness and not a sponsor.
Requirements to be a Christian Witness:
- Be at least sixteen years old and a validly baptized Christian who is living an upright life and cannot be either parent and cannot be a Catholic who has left the Church.
- A Christian witness may never be a non-baptized person. For example, Jewish or Muslim godparents are not permitted by universal church law.
- The notation "Christian witness" is placed under the name of the non-Catholic Christian witness in the baptismal register.
- A Christian witness is asked to present a letter from his/her church stating that he/she has been baptized with water in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit.
