Baptism at St Patrick’s Powerscourt
Our Baptism Service
A Beginning in Faith
Baptism is the sacrament of welcome into the Christian family and marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. Through water and prayer, those baptised are received into the Church and become members of Christ’s body.
Baptism can take place at any age. While many are baptised as infants, adults who have not previously been baptised are also warmly welcomed.
Because Baptism represents God’s once-for-all gift, it is not repeated if a person has already been baptised in another Christian tradition using water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
What Happens at a Baptism?
During the service, the candidate is warmly welcomed into the Christian community and received into the life of the Church.
When a child is baptised, parents and godparents (or sponsors) make promises of faith and commitment on the child’s behalf. If the candidate is an adult, these promises are made personally. The congregation also shares in the occasion, promising to support and pray for the newly baptised and their family as they grow in faith.
Water is poured on the head in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — a sign of God’s cleansing love, new life, and belonging within the Church.
Baptism normally takes place during a regular service of worship, emphasising that it is not a private event but an act of the whole Church community. In some circumstances, alternative arrangements may be made in consultation with the Rector.
The Role of Parents and Godparents
When a child is baptised, parents and sponsors undertake a special responsibility to nurture the child in the life of faith, encouraging them as they grow and helping them to take their place within the worship and community life of the Church.
Godparents (also known as sponsors) share in this important role. They promise to support the child’s spiritual growth through prayer, example, and loving encouragement. Godparents should themselves be baptised Christians, and at least two sponsors are expected to belong to the Church of Ireland or to a Church in communion with it.
Parents, together with godparents, are encouraged to play an active part in guiding the child’s faith journey, helping them to discover the meaning of Christian life as they grow.
Baptism and the Life of the Church
Baptism is the beginning, not the end, of the Christian journey. It brings a person fully into the life of the Church, where faith is nurtured through worship, teaching, and community.
As children mature, they are encouraged to affirm their faith for themselves through
Enquire About Baptism
If you are considering Baptism for your child, or would like to be baptised yourself, please contact us using the enquiry form. We would be delighted to speak with you and help you prepare for this joyful occasion.