Title: Can A Catholic Baptism be Performed at Home?
Headings: Where Should a Catholic Baptism Take Place?
Where Should a Catholic Baptism Take Place?
Baptisms Should Not Normally Be Performed Outside of a Catholic Church
What Makes a Baptism Valid?
What Makes a Baptism Licit?
Where Should a Baptism Take Place?
Can a Catholic Baptism Take Place at Home?
What Is a "Case of Necessity" or a "Grave Cause"?

Content: Can A Catholic Baptism be Performed at Home? Abrahamic / Middle Eastern Christianity
Where Should a Catholic Baptism Take Place? Baptisms Should Not Normally Be Performed Outside of a Catholic Church
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Containers of chrism for baptism. Pascal Deloche / Getty Images
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By
Scott P. Richert
Catholicism Expert
M.A., Political Theory, Catholic University of America
B.A., Political Theory, Michigan State University
Scott P. Richert is senior content network manager of Our Sunday Visitor. He has written about Catholicism for outlets including Humanitas and Catholic Answers Magazine. our editorial process
Scott P. Richert
Updated June 25, 2019
Most Catholic baptisms, whether of adults or of infants, take place in a Catholic church. Like all of the sacraments, the Sacrament of Baptism is not merely an individual event but is intimately tied to the broader Christian community—the Body of Christ, which is found in its fullness in the Catholic Church. That is why the Catholic Church places a great deal of emphasis on the church as the location in which we receive the sacraments. For instance, in most cases, priests are not allowed to assist at the marriage of two Catholics unless that wedding takes place in a Catholic church. The location itself is a sign of the faith of the couple and a signal that they are entering the sacrament with the right intent.