Baptism at Our Lady of the Holy Family Parish

“In Baptism every Christian personally meets Him; he is inserted into the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection and receives a new life, which is the life of God. What a great gift and what a great responsibility.” -Saint John Paul II during his homily on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord 2003.
The decision to baptize your child is a great gift and a great responsibility. The time of preparation and the celebration of the sacrament invite the parents, godparents, and other loved ones to enter more deeply into an understanding of God's love and presence in our lives. As parents and godparents, you are making the commitment to nurture a life of faith for your child. The Catholic faith is the greatest gift you can give to your son or daughter. 
Baptisms are held every Saturday of the month at 11:00 AM.  
​1st, 3rd & 4th Saturday
​of the month in English
2nd Saturday of the month in Spanish 
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​One baptism preparation course is required for parents and Godparents.
To sign up for a baptismal preparation course please click here.
To sign up for a class please call or email the rectory.
In order to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism for a child, the following is required:
REGISTRATION
1. Only the parents of a child are able to register a child for baptism.
2. Family must present a copy of the child’s Birth Certificate (The proper names and spelling of the child will appear on the Baptismal Certificate as it does on the Birth Certificate).
3. Children under the age of 7 are to be Baptized in this form (If the child is over 7 years of age, he/she must be enrolled for Religious Education classes).
4. Fill out the registration form with the most current information on the family.
5. Choose a date for the baptism.
GODPARENTS
  • Please have the names of the godparents available upon registration..
  • Only Roman Catholics are formally allowed to become godparents. Godparents must be above the age of 18
Please register below. You will receive more information from the parish within a week. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office at (312) 243-7400 or send an email to OLHFParish@archchicago.org.
WHAT ABOUT SINGLE PARENTS OR PARENTS WHO WEREN’T MARRIED IN THE CHURCH?​
Our Lady of the Holy Family welcomes every parent to bring your child forward for baptism, no matter what your circumstances may be. Parents who were not married in the Roman Catholic Church might consider the possibility of having your marriage convalidated in the church; parish staff will gladly assist you in that process. It is not necessary for baptizing your child.
Can I choose more than 2 godparents?
​If you choose more than two godparents, one or two will have their names entered into the book as "official" godparents, and the others can be "honorary" godparents. You do not have to tell them which is which. All the godparents' personal relationship to the child and to you as a family is the same whether their names are recorded in the book or not. 
Can i have 2 Godparents of the same sex?​
If you choose two godparents of the same sex, one can be the "official" godparent for the record book, and the other can be the "honorary" one. (Just as above, you do not have to tell anyone which is which except us.)
WHAT SHOULD THE BABY WEAR FOR THE BAPTISM?
​A white garment is an ancient sign of the newly baptized Christian's new life in Christ. Your child's baptismal garment need not be a traditional baptismal or christening gown; it can be any clothing that is mainly white. 
WHAT AGE ARE CHILDREN USUALLY BAPTIZED?​
​There is no age limit, but at Our Lady of the Holy Family Parish, infants are generally baptized between three and one year old. We also welcome children age seven or older to baptism. If your child is seven years or older, we welcome you and your child to baptism as well; we offer baptismal preparation designed to meet the needs of older children and their parents. Please contact Theodore McManigal, Director of Lifelong Formation & Education, if you would like to have your child over age seven baptized.