Preparation of a Sacrament should be made by the parish priest of the locality where the individual lives. The Cathedral Parish offers preparation for those residents who are to receive the sacraments. This consists of a meeting with the Archpriest to discuss necessary information and preparation about the responsibilities of the parents of the child when discussing Baptism and for the other sacraments, the responsibilities of the person him/herself.
Sacraments
Baptism
Request for Baptism
The parents, being Mdina residents, should make the request for the child to be baptized, by contacting the Archpriest during parish office hours.
Office Hours are: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 4.00pm – 5.00pm
A preparation meeting will be planned together at the home of the parents. For parents living outside Mdina, the parents need to do the preparation with their Parish Priest and also get a written consent by the their parish priest to have the child baptised outside his/her parish is needed. They also need a receipt from the Government Registry Office and the name of the child is registered. For parents who are not married in the Catholic Church a full birth certificate is requested .
The Godparents
There should at least be one godparent. If there are two godparents, they have to be a male and a female. The godparent has the responsibility to assist the parents in bringing up the child in faith. They need therefore to be Catholics who have received the three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Prior to the Baptism day, the godparents need to sign a declaration at their respective parish priest.
The sacrament of Baptism at Mdina Cathedral is celebrated on Sundays at 3.45pm during Mass.The family is invited to find a priest to celebrate the sacrament.
First Holy Communion
First Holy Communion at the Cathedral is held on Saturday, the eve of Corpus Domine feast . Details of how to apply are announced during Mass. The week after Easter, parents must present:
1. A letter of recommendation from their local parish priest, which must include a confirmation that the child had regularly attended catechism and is therefore prepared to receive Holy Communion.
2. A baptism certificate.
These certificates are to be presented to the Archpriest of Mdina during office hours.
Confirmation
Confirmation is given to adolescents aged 11-12 years. Confirmation is generally held at Mdina Cathedral on the first Saturday of the month of July.
Details of how to apply are announced during Mass.
The week after Easter, parents must present:
1. A letter of recommendation from their local parish priest
2. The Baptism certificate of the child
3. A written document confirming that the adolescent is well prepared to receive the sacrament and has regularly attended catechism,
4. A signed document by the godparents
The godparent, male or female should be a committed catholic who declares that he/she is going to be of help to the adolescent and encourages him/her to follow his/her example. The godparent must make a written commitment at his/her local parish priest.
On the feast of Pentecost, the Archpriest of Mdina Cathedral receives the request of the adolescents and parents during a community mass.