Twice a month, Notre-Dame Basilica celebrates communal Baptisms (up to a maximum of four children per celebration). Dates are set in advance by the priests in charge. The parents as well as the child’s godfather and godmother must attend a Baptism preparation course. Both the Baptismal Ceremony and the course are conducted in English or French.

Schedule of Baptism preparation courses

The sacrament of Baptism

Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism, which is the beginning of new life, Confirmation, which is its strengthening, and the Eucharist, which nourishes the disciple with Christ’s Body and Blood for his or her transformation in Christ.

A new life

Baptism is the birth of a new life in Christ. The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water on his or her head, while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (see Matthew 28:19–20). Water is the sign of life and purification.

The fruits of Baptism are forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins (if any), and the birth of a new life. The person baptized becomes an adopted son or daughter of God, a member of Christ, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a member of Christ’s body, the Church and a sharer in Christ’s priesthood.

An eternal sign

Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of the character Baptism cannot be repeated. In case of necessity (for example, in the case of a newborn infant in danger of death, and at its mother’s request) anyone, even a non-baptized person can baptize, provided that they use the baptismal formula of the Church.

Schedule of Baptisms