Amy,

It is never too late to be baptized and it is not too late for the normal ceremony, but . . . your teen would have to desire Baptism on her own accord and go through a sacramental preparation.

She would most likely be invited to join an RCIA -type program or perhaps, after some preparation, her pastor will interview her and decide to put her in a Confirmation class. All you have to do is talk to your pastor.

Mary Ann

Amy,

In order to marry a Catholic, your husband had to get a dispensation from the local bishop. As part of that process the non-Catholic spouse - you, had to promise not to interfere with the Catholic spouse raising the children of your marriage Catholic. (You were the witness to his promise.)

So you both agreed whether directly or indirectly to raise your children Catholic.

• What happened?
• Did you simply agree for the sake of the dispensation?

This is a matter you and your husband need to take to the Lord in prayer and indeed ask for forgiveness. I strongly encourage both of you to make an appointment with the pastor of your local Catholic parish and get some good counsel.

If there are no faithful priests in your area, try a nearby monastery or convent.

John
[Related posting]

Amy,

In addition to Mary Ann and John's fine comments, I just wanted to add my two cents.

We have had a few e-mails, similar to yours, from parents who appear not to take the spiritual growth of their children as serious as they should.

The argument: We think they should choose for themselves, is a false one.

• Why?

Because if you truly believe in your faith, you believe in it because it's for your own eternal good.  Therefore, you will want to pass that faith on to your children.

This is not indoctrination. Indoctrination is forcing someone to believe something, they are not interested in. Children, at a very young age, are looking for good things to believe in, especially before the age of reason, age 7. If you want the same good for your children, that you had, and believed in when you were growing up, you will share and instruct them in Catholic Christian teachings.

• Why?

For their own good and salvation!

For the record, let's remember, Our Lord Jesus states from his own lips, that Baptism is necessary for salvation. (Mark 16:16) This is a black and white statement . . . not one shaded in gray.

Seeing that both you and your husband are Christians, I don't understand why you would not want to give them the same new life in Christ, that you received at your Baptism. They have been created in your image and likeness!

Doctors tell us that children, at a very early age, can pick up things far more faster than when they have grown. A good example is speaking foreign languages, whether they are religious-oriented ones, like Latin and Greek, or others, like Spanish, French, Russian or Chinese.

Think of the Catechism and Bible memorization your children could be developing at a younger age!

I would personally encourage all parents to start this with their own children. Find a reading section and period of frequency that works best like:

• A Bible verse a Day
• A paragraph of the Catechism a Day
• A set of chapters from a book of the Bible per month.
• A set of chapters from the Catechism of the Catholic Church per month.

Hope this helps,

Mike