Q. 1. What is a baptismal font?

A. 1. A baptismal font is a stone, metal, or wooden receptacle, usually ornamented, for holding the baptismal water used in the solemn administration of the sacrament of Baptism. According to Church Canon Law, every parish (building) church must have a baptismal font.

Where baptism by sprinkling takes place, the font is supported on a pedestal or columns at a convenient height for receiving the water which is poured over the head of the person being baptized.

In instances where baptism take place by immersion, there is a partial immersion by dipping the head in the water or by pouring water over the head of a person standing in a baptismal pool.

Baptism by "immersion" is not the same as "submersion baptism" which involves total immersion of the body beneath the water.