• Online Forms

  • Infant Baptism Inquiry
  • Baptism Acknowledgement Form
  • Permission to Baptize Elsewhere
  • Request Godparent Eligibility Letter

• THE HOLY SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM FOR INFANTS

  “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."  (Catechism, 1213) Please study the Sacrament of Baptism as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Paragraphs 1213 – 1284. Click here: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3G.HTM
   

  Procedure for Registered Parishioners to
  schedule a Baptism at St. Lawrence

  For a Baptism to be scheduled at the Basilica, parishioners must be registered, attending Sunday and Holy Day Masses, participating in parish activities and supporting the parish with their tithe for at least one year. The Baptism can be scheduled during the pregnancy or immediately after the birth of the infant. Please follow these steps:
  
  Ste p 1: Parents should Study the Baptismal Preparation Video program at the “Formed.org” faith formation website: (if you are not already signed up for Formed.org, please let us know)

  • “Reborn”
  • "Renacer"

   

  Step 2:  Submit Inquiry Form - Complete the Infant Baptism Inquiry form located in left column. Confirm Date of Baptism - Once the Inquiry form has been received, someone from the parish office will contact you within two weeks of receiving the form to discuss possible dates. Baptisms are celebrated on Saturday mornings as the Basilica is available. 

  
  Step 3:  Choose Godparents: 
  The function of the godparent/sponsor is a) together with the celebrant who baptizes or confirms, to represent the Church in receiving the person into the communion of the Church; and b) to support the person in living the Catholic Christian life.

  • One godparent/sponsor is required. Two godparents/sponsors may be appointed provided one is male and the other female. The Mother and Father cannot be godparents for their baby.
  • A Godparent must meet these requirements:
    • be more than sixteen years of age;
    • be a baptized Catholic who has been Confirmed, has already received the Blessed Eucharist, and lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken; 
    • sincerely believes and strives to put into practice the Word of God as taught by the Catholic Church;
    • prayerfully assist at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation; and
    • if married, was married in accordance with the requirements of the Catholic Church.
  • A non-Catholic Christian cannot be admitted as a godparent/sponsor; however, he or she can serve as a Christian witness at baptism, provided that there is a Catholic godparent.
  • Those unbaptized and those whose Baptism is not recognized by the Catholic Church may not serve in the role of Christian witness but are welcome to be present at the ceremony.

  
  Step 4:  Request Qualification of Godparents: A Godparent Eligibility Letter will be required from the proposed Godparents’ Pastor.

  • Godparents that are not members of the Basilica must request from their parish, a letter or certificate of eligibility to be a Godparent. This document must be sent directly to the Basilica of Saint Lawrence and received no later than three weeks prior to the baptism. It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that the godparents request the documentation and that the Basilica receives it in a timely manner to ensure that the baptism of their infant will take place. Mail to: Basilica of St. Lawrence Basilica Baptismal Coordinator, P.O. Box 1850, Asheville, NC 28802
  • Godparents that are Basilica parishioners may use the online form, Godparent Eligibility Letter located in the left column, to request the appropriate letter from the parish office.

   

  Step 5:  Acknowledge - Please complete the acknowledgment form (located in left column) as soon as Steps One through Five have been addressed.  The parish office must receive this acknowledgment to ensure that the baptism will take place.

   

  NOTE:
  Baptism Liturgy: The infant will be baptized by pouring water from the baptismal font over the baby's head.  Parents and Godparents will Renew their Baptismal Vows by Renouncing Sin and Satan and affirming the articles of the Apostles Creed. Baptisms are arranged by appointment only on Saturday mornings.
   

  Infant's Attire: A white garment is an ancient sign of the newly baptized Christian's new life in Christ. The infant wears the white garment throughout the service.