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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Baptism

20 replies

MissL85 · 21/08/2021 17:48

I'm Catholic. My partner isn't. I haven't been to church for a very long time. I would like my unborn child baptised. I'm currently 12 weeks pregnant and wondering how many months/weeks I should be going back to mass for in order for my unborn child to be able to get baptised. Does anyone know?

OP posts:
IS0D0RA · 21/08/2021 17:53

Your child can’t be baptised until it’s born. Why do you want the baby baptised now?

How long you have to attend mass for depends on each individual priest, so just ask at the church you have been attending. They will want to meet you and your partner to find out how you plan to fulfil the baptismal promises that you will make.

StillWeRise · 21/08/2021 17:57

I'm assuming OP plans to get baby baptised once its born.
I wouldn't have thought they'd want to stop anyone being baptised? surely they want babies to be baptised? isn't that kind of the point?
surely a more important question is how does your partner feel about the baby being baptised?

Fupoffyagrasshole · 21/08/2021 17:57

Hmmm in Ireland they will just baptise anyone it seems without needing to prove you’ve been at mass or anything - maybe it’s more strict in uk?

Original poster
MissL85 · 21/08/2021 18:00

@StillWeRise

I'm assuming OP plans to get baby baptised once its born. I wouldn't have thought they'd want to stop anyone being baptised? surely they want babies to be baptised? isn't that kind of the point? surely a more important question is how does your partner feel about the baby being baptised?
Yes, I thought it was obvious that I was wanting to baptise it when it is born. I haven't been to church since I was 18/19. I'm 36 now.
OP posts:
StillWeRise · 21/08/2021 18:03

nothing's obvious where religion is concerned Grin
if you've gone that long withiut going to church and survived - why are you bothering now?

Original poster
MissL85 · 21/08/2021 18:07

Because I want the child to go to a Catholic school and have a Catholic upbringing.

OP posts:
UncomfortableSilence · 21/08/2021 18:12

Most priests will baptise all babies, you may have to attend some classes beforehand. Why don't you speak to the parish priest at the church you would like to attend, I assume you want to raise your child as a Catholic? Time going to Mass will only come into play at the time of school applications.

PotteringAlong · 21/08/2021 18:13

You don’t need to go to church - you might have to do classes (we did, even though we are practicing Christians) but it was 3 times I think?

GotToGoBye · 21/08/2021 18:25

Our local priest happy to do baptism with no
obligation to attend mass prior but you must promise to bring child up in Catholic faith.

ThanksItHasPockets · 22/08/2021 00:20

You will need to ask the priest at your chosen church for their specific requirements. Is your partner aware of your intention to raise the child Catholic and is he supportive?

twinningatlife · 22/08/2021 03:08

At my Catholic Church you don't need to prove attendance or do classes to get your children baptised - you just ring up and book a date

DramaAlpaca · 22/08/2021 03:12

I wouldn't worry. Most priests will be all too delighted to baptise your baby.

It's when you want your child to attend a Catholic school in the UK that you need to prove attendance at mass.

alexdgr8 · 22/08/2021 03:19

why do you want to bring up the child as a Catholic if you are not living a Catholic lifestyle.
or do you intend to start doing so
is it for the school place, you will need to prove weekly mass attendance etc.

twinningatlife · 22/08/2021 07:35

@DramaAlpaca

I wouldn't worry. Most priests will be all too delighted to baptise your baby.

It's when you want your child to attend a Catholic school in the UK that you need to prove attendance at mass.

Depends on the school.....mine only requires a certificate of baptism so long as you don't take the piss and get them baptised just before the school applications they are happy

But I do live in a very diverse area where all the 5 or more primary schools are ofsted outstanding so I imagine they don't think anyone would need to go to the trouble to pretend to be Catholic to get their kids into the school as there are plenty of other good non faith options

IS0D0RA · 22/08/2021 16:25

Ok I was confused because you mentioned your unborn child twice in your OP.

I’m sure your priest will ask how you are going to give your child a Catholic upbringing if your partner isn’t Catholic and you are not practising and haven’t been to church all of your adult life.

Do you have a close family member (like a grandparent ) who will care for your child and be that influence in their life ?

Original poster
MissL85 · 22/08/2021 18:20

@IS0D0RA

Ok I was confused because you mentioned your unborn child twice in your OP.

I’m sure your priest will ask how you are going to give your child a Catholic upbringing if your partner isn’t Catholic and you are not practising and haven’t been to church all of your adult life.

Do you have a close family member (like a grandparent ) who will care for your child and be that influence in their life ?

The plan is I return back to church. The reason I left, which I'm not going to go into on a public forum, was for family reasons.
OP posts:
Original poster
MissL85 · 22/08/2021 18:21

I also work in a Catholic school and have done for 13 years.

OP posts:
AnneElliott · 22/08/2021 18:49

We just had to attend 4 classes beforehand - we didn't need mass attendance for a baptism.

You do for catholic schools though so you'll have to take the baby every week once it's born!!

LavenderPink · 22/08/2021 18:54

Just start going now if you want to start practicing again?

ThanksItHasPockets · 22/08/2021 19:31

Best go to Mass next Sunday and stay behind to ask the priest directly. He will be delighted to answer your questions, I’m sure.

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