A Baptism at St. Stephen’s

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is the beginning of a person’s life in Jesus Christ. It is also the beginning of that person’s commitment to becoming part of the Body of Christ, the church. When this sacrament is administered to an infant or young child it is with the understanding that the parents and godparents will commit to the promise they make during the service to be “responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life.” Baptism is a commitment to a lifelong journey, not a sentimental one day event.

A Baptism at St Stephens

Baptism at St. Stephen’s

At St. Stephen’s, we celebrate baptism as full Christian initiation through water and the Holy Spirit into our faith and life, following the rich tradition of the Episcopal Church. Many families ask us about the cost of baptism at St. Stephen’s. The answer is simple: it’s both free and priceless. Baptism is God’s gift of grace, offered freely to all. Through this sacred act, one joins Christ’s Body, the Church, and becomes part of our St. Stephen’s family. However, everyone is welcome to offer voluntary contributions that will support the mission of St. Stephen’s.
Baptism at St. Stephen’s is not simply accepting a set of beliefs or joining an organization—it is being incorporated into God’s very life. In baptism, we receive assurance of our acceptance as God’s beloved children and are marked, claimed, and sealed as Christ’s own forever. Through this sacrament we share in the priesthood of all the believers and are invited by Christ to be the Church’s ministers in the world around us, thus becoming Christ’s hands, feet, and hearts in the world around us.
The Episcopal Church welcomes infants, children, and adults for baptism, and we joyfully celebrate all ages at St. Stephen’s. When infants or young children are baptized, their parents and godparents make baptismal promises on their behalf. Older children and adults speak their own vows. Since baptism establishes a covenant relationship with God, it rightfully takes place within our gathered community during Sunday Eucharist rather than as a private ceremony. At St. Stephen’s, baptisms are celebrated on five specific dates listed below. During these meaningful ceremonies, our entire congregation renews their own baptismal promises and joins in welcoming the newly baptized into our community of faith here in Coconut Grove.
We take preparation for Baptism seriously and all candidates and their parents are invited to attend a class offered by one of our ministers. For more information, please email our Parish Administrator.

Baptismal Application Form

Embracing the Sacrament of Holy Baptism

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is usually administered during the Mass on Sunday with the gathered community of the Church welcoming the newly baptized into the household of God. At St. Stephen’s we therefore do not administer the sacrament privately (except in cases of extreme emergency).

Embracing the Sacrament of Holy Baptism
The days on which baptism is normally administered

The days on which baptism is normally administered are:

  • The Baptism of Our Lord (the Sunday following January 6th)
  • The Great Vigil of Easter (7:00 P.M. Mass the evening before Easter Day)
  • Pentecost (the exact date changes from year to year, but is always 50 days after Easter Day)
  • All Saints Day (always observed on the Sunday following November 1st)

Supporting the Sacrament

There is no fee for baptism, but it is customary to make a financial contribution to the church and a financial honorarium to the priest if you are not already a pledging member of St. Stephen’s. For more information, please email Gladys Rivera.

Email Gladys Planells