It is with great joy that Corpus Christi Catholic Church assists parents with preparation for the baptism of their baby. Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, except during the season of Lent. The schedule may vary, so please call the Parish Office at (630) 483-4673 to confirm a desired date.

Families who want to have their child baptized by a priest or deacon who is not part of the Corpus Christi staff will be accommodated. Baptisms with a visiting priest or deacon are scheduled depending on church availability. You must confirm the date of the baptism with the Parish before making further plans. Baptism dates do fill up quickly.

What are the requirements for baptism?

For a child to be baptized in the Roman Catholic Church, there must be a basis for hope that the child will be raised in the Catholic faith. In practice, this means that at least one parent or legal guardian is Catholic. If you wish to have your child baptized at Corpus Christi, you must be a registered member of the parish. Under special circumstances, we can void this requirement. In addition, if this is your first time bringing a child forward for baptism, it is a requirement of the Diocese of Joliet that both parents participate in one baptism preparation class called “Welcome Your Child.” If you have already had a child baptized at Corpus Christi, you need not attend the preparation session again unless you would like to. Each child brought forward for baptism must also have at least one godparent who is a confirmed, practicing Catholic over the age of 16, and present documents from the parish they belong to.

At what age are children usually baptized?

There is no age limit, but at Corpus Christi, infants are generally baptized between three and six months old. We offer baptismal preparation designed to meet the needs of older children and their parents. If the child is older than six years old, they must participate in preparation for baptism. Please contact the Religious Education Office at (630) 463-4222 regarding the baptism of older children.

What about single parents or parents who weren’t married in the church?

Corpus Christi 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 sacramental marriage in the church. Parish staff will gladly assist you in that process, though it is not necessary for baptizing your child.