Baptism
The sacrament of baptism is the Church's initiation ritual: it is the beginning of the Christian life.
All are welcome to baptism. We welcome all babies, children, and adults—whatever shape the family takes. Everyone is welcome. You can be baptised at any age. There is neither lower nor upper age limit. There will come a time later when your child will be able to make the promises for themselves, and if you are baptised as an adult, the service will be slightly different.
Baptisms at St Mary Magdalen’s always take place on Sunday morning, during the High Mass. This is because in baptism, each person gains a new family, whose local manifestation is the Christian community of worshippers.
If you are interested in having your child baptised, or getting baptised yourself, please write to us. Once you have had a preliminary discussion with the Vicar, please complete the following form:
First Communion
The Eucharist—the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ—is the food and medicine of the people of God, and we are eager to invite all the baptised to this foreshadowing of the heavenly banquet. A service of first communion—usually at a Sunday High Mass—is fitting way to celebrate the first time a baptised Christian receives this sacrament. If you—or your child (typically from age 7 years onwards; thanks to Pope Pius X—would like to begin receiving holy communion, please let us know using the Contact Form. There will then be a process of preparation for this joyous event.
Confirmation and Reception into the Church of England
Just as baptism initiates us into our new life in Christ, and the Eucharist nourishes us in this life, so the sacrament of confirmation enriches and strengthens this life in us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Although confirmation is often interpreted as a reaffirmation of baptismal vows, it is more appropriate to think of it more like ordination: in confirmation, the candidate answers God’s call to participate more fully in God’s mission and ministry in the world, and is empowered to do so. It is for this reason that, in several ways, the rite of confirmation resembles that of ordination: the invocation of the Holy Spirit, the use of the oil of chrism, the laying on of hands by the Bishop.
Members of other churches may also feel the need or desire to be formally received into the Church of England: although all are already welcome here at St Mary Magdalen’s, we are also very happy to mark this transition liturgically.
Please contact us for more information about confirmation and reception into the Church of England.