Parents of a child who is to baptized must be registered in a parish. To have your child baptized at St. Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio Catholic Church you must either be a registered member of our parish or have a letter from your parish giving your permission to baptize here at St. Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio.
 

Guidelines for a Christian Witness

At times parents have a close friend, who is not Catholic, whom they would like to have a role in their child's baptism. This is possible as long as you have one Catholic Godparent, the person chosen, who is non-Catholic, can be a Christian Witness. A Christian Witness is considered a baptized Christian who belongs to a non-Catholic church community. Christian Witnesses must attend baptismal preparation classes at a Catholic church. Documentation of class completion if not taken at St. Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio must be submitted to Pedro Ramirez assisting with the Baptism. We will accept documentation of pre-baptismal classes taken within two years.
 

Birth Certificate

Child's state birth certificate (if your child is more than one month old) must accompany the enclosed baptismal registration form. If you have not yet received one, you may obtain one at any of the following San Antonio Metropolitan Health District locations:

• City of San Antonio Office

8523 Blanco Road (at West Ave) 

M-F: 8 AM - 6 PM, Sat: 10 AM - 6 PM

(210) 207-6150

• Downtown

719 S. Santa Rosa St. 

M-F: 8AM - 4PM

(210) 207-8815

Birth Certificates issued by the Metropolitan Health District are normally available in about four weeks from the satellite offices and two to three weeks at the downtown office. If your child is less than one month old and you are unable to obtain the state birth certificate, you may submit a copy of the Verification of Birth from the hospital but only in an emergency. You must first get this approved with Deacon Ron Sandoval.
 

Guidelines for Parents

According to Cannon Law, there can only be one or two Godparents. If there are two Godparents, the Church asks that they be male and female.

Cannon 874: To be admitted to the role of Godparent, a person must:

• Be designated … by the parents

• Have completed the sixteenth year

• Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the Sacrament of the Most Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken;

• Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared; Not be the father or the mother of the one to be baptized.

It is expected that a Godparent is active in their faith be attending Sunday Mass and live a chaste life if single and if married, must be married in the Catholic Church.

Godparents must attend baptismal preparation classes either with the parents at St. Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio Catholic Church or at their own parish. Documentation of class completion, if not taken at St. Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio, must be submitted to Pedro Ramirez assisting with the Baptism. We will accept documentation of a baptismal preparation of a baptismal preparation class taken within two years.
 

Baptism of an Adopted Child

If you wish to have an adopted child baptized, the adoption process MUST be completed,
and the certificate of the State Birth Certificate MUST accompany the baptismal registration packet.

Forms and Certificates Needed to be Submitted

• Parent/Child Registration Form

• Godparent Registration Form

• Child's Birth Certificate

• Letter of permission from home parish if needed

• Documentation of Pre-Baptismal Class completion, if not taken at St. Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio Catholic Church.

• Sponsor’s confirmation Certificate

• Sponsor’s Marriage Certificate through the Catholic Church

 *Please note: All certificates must be ORIGINAL. We will make copies at our office once we verify that the documents are original.

If you have any questions regarding your child's baptism, please contact Pedro Ramirez at the Parish Office.

 

CHILDREN & ADULT BAPTISM INFORMATION

Those over the age of 7 begin the process of RCIA/OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) or our adoptive version for Children RCIC/OCIC. Children and adults are prepared for the Sacrament of Baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation. Please contact Pedro Ramirez at the parish office, 210 497-0323, [email protected], for information on Adult Baptism.