Baptism
Baptism marks one’s entry into the Church where we are incorporated into the Body of Christ. The sacrament of baptism is where we are claimed by and for Christ and are graced to carry the title ‘Christian.’
If you are resident within the parish boundaries and are seeking for your child to receive the sacrament of Baptism, please speak to one of the priests after Mass, who will provide you with a form to complete, or email leicester.admin@english.op.org.
Once you have completed and returned this form, you will be contacted with a time for a baptism preparation class (unless you have had a child previously baptised at Holy Cross) and a date for the baptism of your child.
First Holy Communion and First Confession
One’s First Holy Communion is a beautiful and special occasion at which we receive the gift of Christ’s body and blood for the very first time.
The sacrament of the Eucharist has been instituted by Christ, to be celebrated in memory of him. Through the Eucharist the Church re-presents his once and for all Sacrifice to the Father, and from the Eucharist the Church receives spiritual food and drink, Christ’s Body and Blood, that she might live strong in faith.
The sacrament of Reconciliation is also prepared for during the First Holy Communion programme. One’s first confession is made before receiving one’s First Holy Communion. Confession and Holy Communion go together not only at this stage, but throughout our Catholic lives. If we are receiving Holy Communion, we should also make sure we are going to Confession with frequency.
If you would like to enrol your child in the First Holy Communion course, beginning February each year, please speak to one of the priests after Mass or email leicester.admin@english.op.org.
For the times of regular confessions in the church, please see the ‘Mass Times’ page.
Confirmation
In the sacrament of Confirmation we are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, to strengthen that faith infused in our souls at our baptism. Through this sacrament, we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit to live our Christian lives more effectively and authentically in the world.
To be enrolled on the Confirmation programme, teenagers should have been previously baptised as Catholics, be in year 9 at school or above (aged 14 by the time of summer), and have been attending Mass regularly at Holy Cross over the course of the year.
To enquire further, please speak to one of the priests after Mass or email leicester.admin@english.op.org.
Marriage
Through the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, God blesses the love of husband and wife and enriches it making this love a manifestation of Christ, an effective sign of His presence.
This sacrament will be a source of strength and encouragement for you in your love for each other. It will also be an invitation for you to be ministers of love for others, especially as a couple and in your home – as parents and as hosts to friends and strangers alike.
You will find more information on the ‘Getting Married’ page.
If you live within the parish boundaries and are thinking of getting married here or elsewhere or would like to have your civil marriage convalidated (“blessed”), please speak to one of the priests after Mass or email leicester.admin@english.op.org.
If you live outside this parish but would like to marry here, you must first contact the priest of the parish in which you live.
Anointing of the Sick
The anointing of the sick is a sacrament of healing and strengthening for those who are seriously ill, or facing a major surgery. It is also used before death. As the Catechism says, “By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them, and indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.”
The friars serve as chaplains to the Leicester Royal Infirmary. If you or someone you know is sick and in hospital, you should contact the hospital chaplaincy team who will arrange for a priest to visit.
If you require anointing in any other circumstances please speak to one of the priests after Mass or email leicester.admin@english.op.org.