After Jesus was raised from the dead, but before He ascended into heaven, He said to them: "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."
(Matthew 28:19-20)
The Holy Catholic Church continues to respond to the Lord's command up and down the centuries when she celebrates the Sacrament of Baptism. Baptism forms the basis of the entire Christian’s life by:
- Freeing us from Original Sin as well as personal sin
- Making us members of the Body of Christ
- Bringing about our rebirth as sons & daughters of God
- Incorporating us into the Holy Catholic Church
- Giving us a share in the Church's mission
- Opening the door to the other sacraments
- Imparting an indelible spiritual mark
- Giving to the Christian a dignity that cannot be taken away
Is Baptism necessary?
Yes. "The Lord Himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation (cf. John 3:5)… Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any other means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord… God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but He Himself is not bound by His sacraments"
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1257)
Who can be baptized?
Any person who is not already baptized.
What do I need to do to get my child baptized?
If you are interested in having your child baptized, you will first need to contact the rectory office at 216-771-6666 in order to register for the sacrament. If this is your first child, you will also need to attend a baptism preparation class. These are offered at the Cathedral once every three months, but you may attend a pre-baptism class at any parish in the Diocese. Once you contact the office, the Cathedral staff will walk you through the rest of the process and review things such as the requirements for someone to serve as a Godparent.
What do I need to do if I want to be baptized?
Since the beginning of the Church, adult baptism was also a common practice, but once a person attains sufficient use of reason, they are asked to participate in a time of preparation for Baptism known as the Catechumenate. During this process, adults are initiated into the Christian faith and life in a way that disposes them to receive the gift of God that they will receive in the Sacraments of Initiation. To find out more about this process, click here.