Baptism is the life-giving Sacrament instituted by our Lord to remove original sin (and all actual sin up to that time) from our souls. It is the means by which we become members of God's Church and are incorporated into His Mystical Body. Baptism is necessary for salvation, so we should never delay in having our children baptized.
Every single human soul needs to be baptized. Thus anyone may receive baptism - one day old infants all the way up to the elderly in hospice care. And while the Sacrament is the same for everyone (since all Sacraments must use the same words and form), the preparation needed for the Sacraments does differ depending on a person's age and circumstances. For instance, children aged 7 or older will generally need some basic Catholic classes before they can be baptized. Children under the age of 7, since they do not yet know right and wrong, do not need any formation classes prior to receiving the life giving Sacrament of Baptism.
A Baptism Class for parents and godparents is often required by a majority of dioceses and parishes because of the unique importance of Baptism. Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Sacrament of Baptism as the means of receiving forgiveness of original sin. It is through Baptism that we become Christians and incorporated in Christ. Through Baptism we are made sons and daughters of God, and God’s very life comes to dwell within us. It is through the graces of Baptism that we are given the foundations of virtue and the gifts of the Holy Ghost, and it is through the graces of Baptism that we live as Christians at all. Godparents and parents for older children generally still need to complete a one hour Parent / Godparent Baptism Preparation Class.
Unlike infants who obviously are not capable of taking a class, a child 7 years old or older needs to take a basic Catholic Faith formation course before baptism. For those who are age 7 or older, they are capable of knowing right and wrong and therefore need to have a rudimentary grasp of the Catholic Faith before receiving the Sacrament of Baptism. These classes are often known as RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children) Classes. In the process, the child will likely also be studying for First Holy Communion, First Confession, and possibly Confirmation at the same time.
Children ages 7 or older will usually take part in RCIC classes to receive the Sacrament of Baptism and enter the Catholic Church. Children in high school will usually take part in standard RCIA classes with adults. And children under 8 who are below the age of reason are baptized without the child needing to attend any religious education classes yet. Children who are baptized before the age of reason will simply begin CCD classes when they start their primary education.
Yes! CatechismClass.com offers best-selling and extremely convenient online classes for older children preparing for their Baptism. Since so many parishes offer these classes at infrequent or inconvenient times, we offer a complete and comprehensive class that is available online 24/7. Since the exact course specifics depends on a child's own unique situation, please begin the process by using our course selector at the link below. Answer the courses as if you were your child and the end result will display all course materials required to earn our PDF certificate of preparation. You can then work with your parish to complete the necessary formation (if applicable) and then schedule your child's Baptism and reception of the Sacraments. Since Baptism is necessary for salvation, please do not delay starting the process!