Infant Baptism
Infant baptisms are celebrated for children who are below age 7. If your child is 7 years old – 8th grade and needs to be baptized please click here.
Selection of a date for baptism is not confirmed until the above requirements are completed.
Register for your initial parent meeting as soon as possible as baptism dates fill up quickly. The ages for infant baptism are from birth through six years of age.
After the 7th birthday, the child should be prepared through Religious Education classes. The Religious Education office can be reached at (714) 846-1187.
Baptism Preparation
For Parents:
Parents requesting Baptism at St. Bonaventure should be registered parishioners or residents of Huntington Beach living within the parish boundaries.
Parents desiring infant baptism for their child aged birth through six years are required to:
- Attend one Parent Meeting with representatives from Baptism Ministry. Initial Parent Meeting is a short half an hour meeting scheduled during an evening with members on the baptismal team and must be taken prior to the class. A baptism team member will assist you in filling out and submitting the baptism form during the initial parent meeting.
- Attend one Baptism Preparation Class. Preparation Classes are held on one Saturday of each month from 1:00pm – 3:00pm.
The initial Parent Meeting is scheduled on Thursday evenings. It is recommended that parents schedule the initial meeting as soon as possible, even well before the baby is born. The Parent Meeting is a prerequisite for the Baptism Preparation Class which is held once a month on Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sponsors (godparents) are also required to attend the Saturday class. The Baptism Preparation Class is valid for additional baptisms for three years.
To schedule the initial Parent Meeting or for more info please e-mail the Baptism Team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For Godparents/Sponsors:
Sponsors/Godparents are required to attend a Baptism Class; if the godparents are out of the area, they may attend a preparation class at their home parish. If a preparation class is taken at another parish a certificate of class completion must be provided to Saint Bonaventure two weeks prior to the baptism. Registration is not required for the classes. There is no charge for the baptism preparation classes.
Baptism Information Packet_01.01.2023.pdf
Baptism-Registration-Form_Spanish.pdf
Baptism Registration Form_Vietnamese.pdf
General Guidelines for Infant Baptism:
- For children from birth through age 6.
- Available for registered members of Saint Bonaventure or residents of Huntington Beach living within our parish boundaries.
- Parents are required to meet with members of the Baptism Team. These initial parent meetings are held on Thursday evenings. After the initial meeting, parents must attend a Baptism preparation class which is held on one Saturday of each month at 1:00pm. The class is approximately 2 hours and no child care is provided.
- Dates and Times; Parents can sign up for a date of baptism only after meeting with Baptism Team members. The date will be confirmed after all class requirements have been fulfilled.
- The Rite of Baptism is held one Saturday of the month at 10:00am.
- Sponsors/Godparents are required to attend one Baptism preparation class, the Saint Bonaventure Class is on one Saturday of the month.
- Free will donations are accepted and very much appreciated.
The Role of Sponsor (Godparent)
To be chosen as a sponsor is a special honor. You, above all others, have been entrusted with the responsibility to participate in this child’s Christian life and education.
This privilege offers you the opportunity to develop a mutually enriching spiritual relationship that will last throughout this life and beyond. Your role is to be supportive of your godchild’s parents in their responsibilities as the primary religious educators of their child
Sponsors are called to model the life of an active Catholic adult to the child. The sponsors must be:
- Practicing Catholic
- Received the Eucharist
- At least 16 years of age
- Baptized
- Confirmed
- If married, their marriage must blessed through the Sacrament of Matrimony
Practicing Christians from non-Catholic traditions who have been baptized in the name of the Trinity may serve as Christian Witnesses. Please confer with the baptism team if you have a question about this.
There are many ways you can nourish this spiritual relationship and become a special friend to your godchild. Some ideas for a godparent are:
- Celebrate the holy day of baptism each year with a visit, a call, or a card.
- As your godchild grows, listen to and share in the struggles and triumphs of living a Christian life. Keep yourself informed on Christian doctrine and values, to be able to answer questions as they arise.
- Participate and let the child know he/she is in your prayers as the godchild receives the other sacraments, particularly First Communion and Confirmation, which complete initiation into the Church community.
- Encourage a consistent life of faith with best wishes and prayers through special letters, cards, and/or gifts which celebrate holy events such as Christmas and Easter and other personal growth events such as graduation, first job, and engagement.
- Some gift ideas godparents like to send/give: a Bible, spiritual book, rosary, religious jewelry, gift certificate for religious goods, books, or retreat opportunities.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, become a model of Christian living for your godchild by living a Christian life in partnership with your godchild, through daily prayer, virtue, and active participation in parish life and liturgy
If you need further information, please contact the baptism ministry at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
On the day of Baptism
This celebration is the Rite of Baptism; it is not a Mass.
The Rite of Infant Baptism is administered usually on the second Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Parents and godparents are asked to be at the church at least 30 minutes before the hour. They are asked to check in with a team member in the church when they arrive. Team members will acknowledge the type of baptism requested (immersion or pouring of water) and confirm the correct pronunciation of the child’s name.
There will be name signs on the pews for family seating. Each family is assigned 2 pews (20 seats). Overflow guests should use the adjacent side pews. Please let your family and guests know that seating arrangements have been made in advance. You may include as many guests at the baptism as you desire. There is always plenty of room.
Parents, child, and sponsors are to assemble as a group to begin the ceremony. Baptism team members will instruct everyone where to assemble. Mother or father should hold the child, while the godparent(s) stand(s) behind the parents. All other family members and guests should be seated in the appropriate pews.
Family and guests need to leave four spaces at the inside end of the center aisle of the family pew for seating of the parents and sponsors.
Your entire family and guests will be invited to join you at the Baptismal Font during the child’s baptism. After the child is baptized, return by the side aisle to your assigned pews.
Pictures, including video, may be taken and are encouraged. However, we ask you to keep a reverent attitude toward the ceremony at all times.
Remember to obtain the Certificate of Baptism before you leave the church.
Free will donations for Baptisms are accepted and very much appreciated.
Join the Baptism Team
Your Baptismal Team is looking for people to join in this rewarding ministry. Consider this your invitation to share this exciting sacrament with parents, family and friends of children to be baptized in our parish community. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested.