1.) Read what puzzleannie wrote. She should know.
2.) Relax. Thank you for thinking so much about this! 13 days old is not a big deal nowadays.
3.) Call the local Catholic parish. Or have your husband call. If you don’t like the answer you get, call another one. You will probably get the parish office manager or secretary. She can give you the scoop on what you need to do.
USUALLY, the class is an evening or two, possibly a Saturday morning class. Some are longer. It depends where you live and what kind of rules there are in that diocese. If you don’t belong to a parish, please have your husband register in one, or go to the one that’s closest to you. If you live in an area where there are bunches of parishes, pick one where the priest is friendly and wants to to do the right thing by your little one and you. Nobody is going to expect you to go to RCIA (to become a Catholic) until you make known your desire to do so.
Pick a godparent, following the canon law on godparents. If you pick two, one must be female, one male. All godparents should be practicing Catholics who have received their initiation sacraments without an impediment (not divorced and remarried or practicing an immoral lifestyle). Some places ask for a letter of proof that one is a practicing Catholic, some don’t. If you want someone to be godparent who is qualified but can’t be physically present, then anybody can proxy for that person. The other person will still be the real godparent.
Depending on whether your (new) parish immerses or pours the water, show up at the appointed place and time with Junior in whatever cute little outfit you picked for the occasion, or bring it along. If you have the money, or in your husband’s family there is a christening gown, either dress the little guy up in it or bring it along. But they’ll baptize him just fine without the finery. Double-check to see if you need to bring your own towels and baptismal candle.
If the parish does not have an honorarium or small fee for baptism, it is still nice for the parents or godparents to make a SMALL offering. Put it in a small envelope and hand it to Father after the Baptism or Mass. If you can’t afford such a thing, it is certainly NOT necessary.
If you choose, you can invite your parents, in-laws and anybody who might have an interest in your baby to the baptism. While it is not required, a modest gathering at your home is nice after the baptism. It does not need to be a gonzo party to the max. Potluck or deli or even just dessert and coffee (tea, pop, water?) is fine.
If – HEAVEN FORBID– something should happen before you get the little guy baptized regarding his health where your son stands a chance of dying, just take him over to the sink and with the intention of doing what the Church wants done, POUR the water over his head and say, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Any moving water will do.
And God bless you for being such a conscientious mom!:clapping:
