Infant Baptism
Infant Baptism (for children newborn to six years old) is a Sacrament of Initiation that welcomes a child into our faith community of Catholic Christian believers, and is the celebration that begins the faith life of the child in and with Christ.
Together with the parents, godparents present an infant for baptism and help raise the child in the faith. Godparents are not required to be present for the baptism in order to serve as godparents.
Infant baptisms are regularly celebrated with the Christian community and more than one family will participate in the liturgy.
Celebrating Baptism Away From Holy Trinity
For more information about requests related to celebrating baptism away from Holy Trinity (either as a parishioner or a godparent) or to request a copy of a Holy Trinity Baptism Certificate, please see Sacramental Records for further information.
Celebrating Baptism At Holy Trinity
Since the onset of COVID-19 in March, the parish has not celebrated baptisms, however, the parish enters Phase 2 of our reopening plan on Sunday, August 16, at which point sacraments will begin to resume with safety restrictions in place (see below). This is our first attempt at making sacraments widely and sustainably available. Thank you for your patience and know how much we look forward to celebrating with you.
1. To schedule your child for a baptism, please contact the Baptism Coordinator, Moira Duggan, at mduggan@trinity.org
Effective July 1, the parish is not accepting any new reservations for baptism. You may submit your family name to be included in a notification list when additional dates may become available.
2. Once the baptism is scheduled, you will be asked to complete and return the baptism information form, which we use to create the baptism certificate and for our sacramental records.
3. Before the baptism, parents are expected to participate in a Sacramental Preparation Program for Baptism, a one-hour class organized by the Religious Education department. Questions about the class? Please contact the Religious Education Coordinator at REAdmin@trinity.org.
For the immediate future, classes are delivered online
Baptism Preparation Classes — Schedule
Baptism Preparation Classes — Registration Form
4. On the day of the baptism, please arrive early to get settled.
Safety Restrictions for Baptisms Taking Place During Phase 2 (effective August 16)
- Attendees will review the COVID covenant
- To maintain a physical distance, all baptisms will take place in the Church, at 1315 36th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007, which is a larger space than the Chapel
- The total number of attendees at the baptism will be limited to under 50 people
- Each child may be accompanied only by their parents, four guests, and their godparents, therefore the maximum number in each party, including the child to be baptized, is 9 people
- Face coverings are required for all adults
- Seating will be assigned
- If you or someone in your party have experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 or any other illness, we trust that you or your guest will remain at home
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Mayor’s Order 2020-081 apply to people attending a baptism at Holy Trinity?
A: Yes–participants should follow the direction of the District, as coming from outside the DMV area is nonessential travel. The list of high-risk states is here, current for the period August 10-24, 2020.
Q: If godparents are unable to attend due to travel restrictions, can we still have our baby baptized?
A: Proxy godparents are of course, permitted, so long as they are baptized individuals (and not the parents of the child). Your selected godparents will still be listed on the baptism certificate.
Q: Approximately how long will the ceremony take and will everyone be together the entire time or will families be leaving as their child is baptized?
A: The ceremony will be about 40 minutes. We have tried to streamline the ceremony as much as possible–after each child is baptized, there is a short rite that follows and then all are dismissed.
Q: Will all staff and clergy present during the ceremony wear masks the entire time?
A: All staff and clergy present will wear masks the entire time. There may be a time when the minister is at the altar and he removes his mask, but when he is near you or your family, he will be masked.
Q: Will we need to go up to the altar as a group or will the priest come to our individual assigned section in the pews?
A: Parents and child will come to the altar for baptism. Godparents will also come forward, but stand at a distance.
Q: Will the priest hold our baby?
A: Parents should hold the child–parents and child will come to the altar for baptism, godparents will also come forward, but stand at a distance.
Q: Are there precautions to keep the holy water as sanitary as possible?
A: Only fresh water will be used for each child (the same water will not be used for child after child).