Baptism invitations?

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I’m looking ahead to when my children are baptized. I have yet to witness a baptism at my parish. I don’t know what the customs surrounding Catholic infant baptism are. Do you/can you send paper invitations to family members, as you would for a wedding? I’m hoping to be able to do this in a beautiful way, including several pertinent and often-ignored verses for my Protestant family to stave off “But they’re not old enough to CHOOSE it!” objections and get them into a Catholic church just once (most will never have even seen the inside of one, much less been to a Mass)…
 
My Goddaughter’s parents sent out paper invitations (really, as a momento since we all got a phone call first) to immediate family in reasonable driving distance. There’s no tactful way to reference the “consent” questions in your invite, so just extend the invitation, and if it were me, I would leave it at that. 😃 You’ll wear yourself out trying to make them understand, so if it is brought up, let it be known your decision is made.

Congratulations on the birth of your baby!
 
I’m looking ahead to when my children are baptized. I have yet to witness a baptism at my parish. I don’t know what the customs surrounding Catholic infant baptism are. Do you/can you send paper invitations to family members, as you would for a wedding?
Talk to your priest about the practical side of things - setting a date, finding god parents, and that sort of thing. If your parish is like most, there is a Baptism class that you can take, and you can ask anything you want at the class.

Your own Sponsor for RCIA is probably still around, and can most likely help you with the social side of it - what the baby should wear, where to hold the party, how to invite the guests, and so on.
I’m hoping to be able to do this in a beautiful way, including several pertinent and often-ignored verses for my Protestant family to stave off “But they’re not old enough to CHOOSE it!” objections and get them into a Catholic church just once (most will never have even seen the inside of one, much less been to a Mass)…
Keep those Bible verses in reserve for those who actually ask you a question about what’s going on - don’t come after your relatives with all your guns blazing at once. 😉
 
I’m thinking more along the lines of how an elaborate wedding invitation might include verses from 1 Cor 13 … just a few blurbs, not an “I’m doing this because it’s right and you all are wrong” kind of litany of bullet points. I think there’s a subtle, nice way to do it.

We’re supposed to have a party afterward? 😊
 
What do children generally wear if they’re too old for the sort of gowns I’ve seen in photos and movies and such?

Thank goodness there’s a class before the baptism… and I do have one Catholic relative whom I’m sure would be happy to be a godparent.
 
I’m thinking more along the lines of how an elaborate wedding invitation might include verses from 1 Cor 13 … just a few blurbs, not an “I’m doing this because it’s right and you all are wrong” kind of litany of bullet points. I think there’s a subtle, nice way to do it.

We’re supposed to have a party afterward? 😊
Yes, and there are even recipes for “Baptism cake”. 🙂

I am also a convert, and I have only ever attended one Baptism party in my whole life. There was champagne and white cake, which was served at a specific moment during the party, with a little speech given by the child’s father. (The baby didn’t partake of either of these; he was actually in his crib, sleeping, for most of the party.) They started with a little buffet lunch with quartered sandwiches and cut vegetables.
 
ask at your parish what customs are
in general, Baptism, whether or not it occurs within Mass or at another time, is a public act of worship and open to anyone (space permitting of course). So you may want to weight that. If baptism are done in your parish during a Mass that is usually crowded, ask if it is prudent to limit the number of family members present, or if they should get there early, sit in a particular place. If you will be having some type of celebration at home, you could issue invitations for that, and just note that the celebration is in honor of Child’s Name, who will be baptized at 9 am on that day at St. Mary Church. the baby won’t care so the party is for the family.

If there are going to be 40-50 babies baptized at one time (common in this parish) that means each family will have one pew reserved for the parents, godparents and child and everybody else sits where they can find room, that does not leave a lot of space, so that might be a factor in your decision

as for what to wear, find out in your pre-baptismal class if the children will be baptized by pouring or immersion, or if you have a choice. Most parishes give a symbolic white garment so although white is the traditional choice it is not required. If you have to change the baby anyhow, just bring him in a onesie and dress him after baptism. If he is older just whatever you would put on him for church or any dress occasion. If the elaborate gowns, suits, whatever are traditional for your own family or culture go for it, but there is no church requirement per se.
 
I’m looking ahead to when my children are baptized. I have yet to witness a baptism at my parish. I don’t know what the customs surrounding Catholic infant baptism are. Do you/can you send paper invitations to family members, as you would for a wedding? I’m hoping to be able to do this in a beautiful way, including several pertinent and often-ignored verses for my Protestant family to stave off “But they’re not old enough to CHOOSE it!” objections and get them into a Catholic church just once (most will never have even seen the inside of one, much less been to a Mass)…
I wanted to reopen this topic. A friend introduced me to some christening invitations ideas last month when I was planning my daughters major milestone. You can send paper invitations, but Invitations can also be sent out in the form of a magnet! I know that I open my fridge a lot so maybe your guests will too 🙂
 
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