Baptism

Dear Parents, 

Congratulations on the birth of your baby! Baptism is the best gift you can give your child and we look forward to helping you prepare for it. 

If you would like to schedule a baptism at St. Raymond - St. Elizabeth Maronite Catholic Church, please provide the office with the following: 

• A copy of the baby’s birth certificate
• Completed ‘Baptism Form’ (linked on the left)
• A stipend of $100-150 for the Church
• Sponsor Certificates for Godparents from their parish (See below for Godparent requirements)
• Confirmation that the Godparents and parents have read the provided ‘Baptism Instruction’
• A letter of permission from your home parish (if applicable)

Please return these documents in person to the parish office or via the parish email, [email protected], at your earliest convenience so we can schedule a date for the baptism. 

If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the parish secretary at 314.968.0760 or at [email protected]. 

God bless, 

St. Raymond - St. Elizabeth Parish 

You will need to pick a godfather or a godmother or both for your child. Below are the requirements of the Catholic Church for godparents. When you pick the godparents for your child, please make sure they fit the following criteria:

1.       Per Canon 873, There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.

2.       Per canon 874, Sponsor must be a confirmed Catholic and at least sixteen years of age.

3.       Please have the godparents send us a sponsor certificate from their parish priest. This is a confirmation from their priest that they fulfill the Catholic Church’s requirements for being a sponsor. It can be mailed to Msgr. John Nahal at 1420 S. Sappington Rd, St. Louis, MO 63126

Since baptism is such a wonderful and important sacrament, the Church takes the above measures in preparation for baptism to ensure the fulfillment of the baptismal graces in eternal beatitude. The parents and godparents share the responsibility to safeguard and guide the child in holiness. “For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents’ help is important. So too is the role of the godfather and godmother, who must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized-child or adult on the road of Christian life. Their task is a truly ecclesial function (officium). The ecclesial community bears some responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism.” (CCC, para. 1255)