www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Infant Baptism and Churching

How soon after birth is a baby usually baptized? I've heard that it should be as soon after birth as possible, and I've also heard that you need to wait 40 days. Please let me know the official teaching. Currently attending a Ukrainian Catholic Rite parish. Thanks

LindaKR:

Christ is in our midst!!

Welcome to the forum.

In regard to your question, in my experience, people usually take their infant for Baptism as soon as it is possible--weather and considering the health of both mother and child.

"Churching" refers to the blessing of the mother after childbirth. I am not sure it is done in many places these days, but I defer to some of our other members to tell you about the practice of their particular Churches. In times past, it was considered the proper time--40 days--to wait for a woman to wait until being reintegrated into the community after childbirth.

Bob
Moderator

Thank you.

Glory to Jesus Christ!
The practice on this varies quite a bit. Ultimately you should work with your pastor/spiritual father or mother to see what works best for your situation.

Ukrainian and Ruthenian Catholics have a Trebnyk/Euchologion book of blessings and our books still include prayers for the day the baby is born, a prayer to name the baby, the prayer of Churching as well. Traditionally you could separate them but they can also be combined.

As said above, waiting 40 days until the mother/child come to church and then having the baptism/churching is an older tradition but that doesn't mean one can't follow it if it is ok with your pastor.