baptism of an older child in the catholic church.

[epic78]

One of my dc didn't get baptuse4 as a baby. It wascduring a period of erratic church attendance so didn't feel appropriarappropriate.
However, now attending regulary so I would love to get dd baptised.
Going to have a meeting with priest about this but I am wondering if anyone has any experience of this.
Thank you

[epic78]

Sorry about typing. Tablet and fat fingers don't go.

[Tuo]

I am not Catholic, epic, but my dd was baptised into the Church of England at the age of 10. I didn't go to church between my teens and about three years ago, so when my children were little I didn't think it was appropriate to have them baptised, as I didn't feel I could make promises on their behalf which I wasn't sure I could keep. Once we started going to church again, DD wanted to be baptised, and, in the event, she was baptised and confirmed at the same time. She was old enough to make her promises for herself, so we didn't have any godparents (though she had a sponsor for her confirmation). The baptism was done as part of a regular Sunday morning service, and there were three or four baptisms and maybe a dozen confirmations. It was a very lovely service. Apart from the fact that DD responded on her own behalf, rather than parents and godparents doing it for her, it was no different from an infant baptism, as far as I could tell. How old is your DD? Does she want to be baptised? Does she know what it means? Good luck to you, anyway... and I hope that someone will be able to give you more of a Catholic perspective.

[epic78]

7 and yes dc does want to be baptised. Thank you

[Tuo]

That sounds great, epic. Good luck and God bless... I'm sure it'll be unproblematic.

[AnythingNotEverything]

It won't be a problem. DS was baptised at 3 - I didn't realise how important it was to me and it suddenly hit me like a sledgehammer one day.

Just explain what you've written here to the priest. You didn't feel it was appropriate at the time, but now it does. Sometimes they can be suspicious about late baptisms around school application time, but this doesn't sound like your agenda at all.

Some churches want you to attend preparation classes. I just started ours today for our 34 week bump.

Plenty of people are baptised as adults these days. It'll be fine.

[LynetteScavo]

DS1 was 7 when he was baptised... I had no idea what the priest would say. The lady in the church office was being a bit hesitant, as she wanted to make sure it actually was our parish church (it wasn't) then the priest happened to walk in, shook my hand, said I'd left it long enough, looked in his diary and said the next available date was in a few weeks time, and booked us in.

We went to one preparation class, which was very painless.

[Gingerdodger]

I've seen quite a few baptisms of older children in our RC Church. They are always lovely and age appropriate and the children seem to really enjoy their big day. Children usually dressed smartly and can obviously take a much more active part than when babies.

If your daughter is now 7 then she may well be asked to do the sacramental programme after, preparing for First Communion and, depending on your diocese, possibly Confirmation.

Sure it will be a lovely day for you all.

[epic78]

Thank you everyone. Well I bit the bullet and asked and she is all booked in. Thank you. Will probably leave holy communion for another year.

[curlew]

Just be aware that late baptism is often regarded with scepticism when it comes to school admission.........

[JakeBullet]

DS as baptised last year at age 9, the priest was fabulous and made it a wonderful occasion for him. DS wanted to do Holy Communion so had to get him Baptised but it was a lovely day. The priest really included DS and made him feel special and part of the ceremony.

[JakeBullet]

DS as baptised last year at age 9, the priest was fabulous and made it a wonderful occasion for him. DS wanted to do Holy Communion so had to get him Baptised but it was a lovely day. The priest really included DS and made him feel special and part of the ceremony.

[JakeBullet]

DS is already in a Catholic school so it isn't an issue for me, no idea about the OP. My DS will go on to the local Catholic secondary school but they take a good percentage of non-Catholic children too as well as other faiths.

I can understand where admission is strict that it might indeed be regarded with suspicion.

[epic78]

Our nearest catholic secondary schools are abit far away so dc will be going to non church schools. So baptism not for a school reason. Although there is a really fab catholic school but it would cost too much for transport and dc would need to attend a feeder school to get in.

[MrsDibble]

I think any Catholic church would be happy to baptise at any age - they will just be really pleased you are having it done now.