Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

Baptism of Infants and Children (under age 7)

The Cathedral schedules baptisms most Sundays at 2:00 p.m., with room for up to three each week. Contact Andrew Specht in the parish office to request the Sacrament and arrange for instruction as soon as you know your child's birth date, even before the birth, at 314-373-8202 or [email protected].

Once a date has been decided upon, the following is required to confirm that date on our calendar:

1. In order to schedule a baptism at the Cathedral, you need to either be a registered parishioner of the Cathedral Basilica OR, if registered at another parish, provide a letter from your own pastor giving you permission to baptize your child at the Cathedral rather than at your home parish.
    
2. In order that you may be better prepared to celebrate this important moment in your child’s life and to fully celebrate your own faith, the Cathedral parish requires all parents to attend an instructional session. Godparents are encouraged to attend the session when possible. Because we are not yet offering in-person classes at this point, we are directing our new parents and/or their godparents to watch the baptismal preparation videos offered through FORMED to meet this requirement. The Cathedral has a parish subscription to FORMED, an online resource for all things Catholic; this subscription allows all of our parishioners access to all of the content on the site free of charge. The baptism component is called Reborn and includes three videos on the sacrament itself (each 25-35 minutes long), a 55-minute video on the "7 Keys to Catholic Parenting", and then a fifth video specifically geared for godparents. Videos can be watched any time 24 hours a day, for free, according to your personal schedule. And we invite you to share it with your godparents, so that they can watch any/all of the baptism videos at their leisure as well. For instructions on how to access the FORMED subscription contact Andrew Specht in the parish office at 314-373-8202 or [email protected]. 
    
3. Finally, godparents will need to submit the Baptism Sponsor Form, signed and sealed by their current pastor/parish. If one of the sponsors is not Catholic and is unable to fill out this form, then a copy of their baptismal certificate is required to prove eligibility to serve as a Christian Witness.

Godparents

It is an ancient custom and also a requirement of Church law that each new Christian have at least one sponsor, traditionally called a godparent, who “together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations” of this new life. (Code of Canon Law, 872)

Church law and our diocese provide guidelines for the qualifications to serve as a godparent. The reason for these requirements is to ensure that the new Christian will have the support they need from their sponsor who will promise to pray for them and help them as they prepare for other sacraments and seek to live out their baptism throughout their lifetime.

Baptism of Adults (and children age 7 and up)

Adults who want to enter the Catholic Church go through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, known as OCIA. You learn the teachings of Jesus and the Church, ask questions, and prepare for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist together.

Please contact us to get started! Curiosity is enough to begin, and there is no pressure, only welcome and support as you freely journey towards union with Christ and his Church.

Children who have reached age 7 and have not yet been baptized are considered “adults” with consideration for the reception of sacraments. This is because, at age 7, they are able to take personal responsibility for their sins and are able to make a profession of faith on their own. A special preparation process is provided for them. Parents, please contact us so that we can help you get started. It is never too late to baptize your children.

See Confession times above. Call the rectory at 314-373-8202 for an appointment outside those hours.

Children ordinarily prepare to receive First Holy Communion around the ages of 7-8 (second grade). Part of the process includes preparation for First Confession.

Adults who have not yet been baptized or those who were baptized in another Christian tradition prepare for First Holy Communion through the OCIA process.

School age children 7 years and older who are baptized and desire Confirmation are normally prepared through their Catholic school or a Parish School of Religion (PSR). Currently, the Cathedral Basilica does not offer a PSR program. Please call the parish office at 314-373-8202 for information on nearby PSR programs.

Adult Catholics who practice their faith but have not been confirmed should call the parish office to receive the necessary preparation to be confirmed on Pentecost Sunday.

Couples seeking to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony should meet with a priest at least six months prior to their planned wedding date. Call the parish rectory at 314-373-8202 to make an appointment with a priest. Marriage preparation classes offered or approved by the Archdiocese of St. Louis are also required.

If you feel called to the priesthood or religious life, the Office of Vocations for the Archdiocese of St. Louis guides you through next steps. Call 314-792-6462.

Call the Cathedral's Sacramental Emergency line at 314-373-8244 before a scheduled surgery or a hospital stay, or if death is near and the Last Rites are needed.