“I baptize you in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission…”
Catechism, 1213
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. “He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake . . . to begin a new creation through the Spirit and water” (St. Gregory Nazianzen, Liturgy of the Hours, I, 634). Jesus’ immersion in the water is a sign for all human beings of the need to die to themselves to do God’s will. 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. – US Catholic Catechism for Adults, pg 184
Children: Birth to Age 7
Baptisms are celebrated at 1:30pm on designated Sunday afternoons. Baptism preparation is required for the parents prior to the date of Baptism. Contact Deacon Len Penkala for more information and to schedule your child’s Baptism.
Children: Age 7 – Grade 7
For children who are ages 7 through grade 7, who would like to be baptized, please contact: Michele Kmety at (630) 615-7642 or mkmety@st-raphael.com
Children: Grade 8 – High School
For youth in grades 8 through high school, who would like to be baptized, please contact: Michele Kmety at (630) 615-7642 or mkmety@st-raphael.com
Adult Baptisms
If you are unbaptized or baptized in another Christian faith and are interested in joining the Catholic Church, we invite you to explore the OCIA program at St. Raphael. Please contact David Trondsen (630) 615-7616 or dtrondsen@st-raphael.com
To request a copy of a Baptismal Certificate for any baptism celebrated at St. Raphael please call (630) 355.4545.