Baptisms

We warmly welcome all families wishing to present their child for baptism in our parish. If you have any questions or would like to begin the process, please contact the parish office by phone or email to complete the baptism registration form.

 

Eligibility for Baptism

To have your child baptized at our parish, parents should be registered parishioners. If you’re new to the area and haven’t yet registered, we encourage you to begin this simple process. If you are not registered in the parish or live within the West Windsor/Princeton Junction area a letter of permission will be required from your parish pastor for the sacrament of baptism to be celebrated for your child.

Baptism Preparation

Parents (not godparents) are required to attend a baptism class. If you’ve attended a baptism class before within the past two years, either at our parish or another, you are not required to retake it. For more information on the Church’s teaching about infant baptism, you can download Deacon Tom Baker’s informative booklet on the subject.

We offer two options for baptismal preparation to help families prepare for the baptism of their child.

    • Option 1: In-Person Baptism Preparation
      This in-person session is led by parishioners and takes place at Saint David the King. The session lasts approximately 90 minutes and provides an in-depth understanding of the significance of the Sacrament of Baptism and walks families through the rite itself so there are no surprises on the day of the baptism. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other parents and build connections within our parish community. Upcoming dates will be provided when the baptismal registration form is completed.
    • Option 2: Online Baptism Preparation (Pilot Program)
      For families seeking flexibility, we offer an online Baptism Preparation course through CatechismClass.com. This self-paced course, written by Fr. James Zatalava, consists of 16 brief modules covering essential topics, including the role of Baptism in salvation, the history of Baptism in the early Church, and the responsibilities of godparents. The course is perfect for parents who prefer to study at their own pace and on their own schedule. The recommended time to take this course is approximately 1 -2 hours. The cost of the course is $39.95, and each parent must enroll individually. Upon completion, a certificate will be provided, which should be submitted to the parish office for your file.

Baptism Scheduling

Baptisms are typically scheduled for 12:00 noon on the second Sunday of each month, with Deacon Tom, and 11:00 AM on the fourth Saturday of each month, with Fr. Jason. Please confirm your preferred date with the parish office, as times may change due to conflicts with other parish events. We are happy to accommodate up to three families per baptism.

We ask that parents and godparents arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled baptism time.

Godparents

  • Godparents must be at least 16 years old.
  • Must have received the sacrament of Confirmation.
  • One godparent is required; if there are two, one must be male and the other female.
  • A second individual may serve as a Christian Witness alongside the godparent. This individual must be a baptized Christian from a non-Catholic denomination. The role of the godparent is to support the child’s faith development alongside the parents so it is preferred that the godparents are both of the Catholic faith.
  • If your family tradition includes more than two godparents, they are welcome to attend, but only two godparents will be listed on the baptismal record.
  • Catholic godparents must obtain a certificate of eligibility from their home parish. Non-Catholic Christian Witnesses should provide a copy of their baptismal certificate. These documents should be submitted to the parish office at least three weeks before the baptism. Please let us know if you encounter any issues obtaining the necessary paperwork.
  • If a godparent cannot be present in person, they may be represented by proxy. Please inform the parish office in advance if this is the case.