Baptism in the Church
From the day of Pentecost the Church has celebrated Baptism. Through Baptism the believer enters into Christ's death, is buried with him and rises with him.
Augustine says of Baptism:
"The word is brought to the material element, and it becomes a sacrament." (CCC
1128)
III. How is the Sacrament of Baptism Celebrated?
The following gestures and symbols are part of the rite of Baptism:
- the sign of the cross
- the proclamation of the Word
- exorcisms
- baptismal water
- essential right (immersing 3 times or pouring water 3 times while saying "N., I baptize you in the name of the Ftaher, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
- annointing with the sacred chrism
- in the Eastern Churches, Confirmation follows
- white garment
- candle, lit from the Easter candle
- First Holy Communion
- solemn blessing
IV. Who Can Receive Baptism?
Any unbaptized adult, child or infant can receive Baptism. Faith must continue to grow after Baptism in a community of believers. In addition to the parents, a godfather and godmother help the newly baptised on the road of a Christian life.
V. Who Can Baptize?
The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the Bishop and priest, and the deacon in the Latin Church. In the case of necesity anyone, even a non-baptized person, can baptize.
VI. The Necesity of Baptism
The Lord affirms that Baptism is necesary for salvation. However,
"God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not
bound by his sacraments." (CCC 1257)
Those who suffer death for the sake of Christ, are considered to be baptized by blood. For catechumens who die before baptism, their desire to recieve it along with repentance for their sins assures them the salvation of the sacrament.
"Every man who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and his Church, but seeks
the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it,
can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired
Baptism explicitly if they had known its necesity." (CCC 1260)
The Church entrusts babies who die without Baptism to the mercy of God.
VII. The Grace of Baptism
In Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin, personal sins and punishment for sin. The temporal consequences of sin (suffering, illness, death) remain as does concupiscence. Baptism also makes us a new creature, an adopted son of God, member of Christ, and temple of the Holy Spirit. We are incorporated into the Church and the common priesthood of all believers. Baptism unites us with all Christians, even those who are not in full communion with the Church. Baptism gives us an indelible spiritual mark that shows we belong to Christ.
Article 2 The Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is necesary for the completion of baptismal grace. Confirmation enriches us with the strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith.
I. Confirmation in the Economy of Salvation
The Old Testament prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the Messiah. The descent of the Holy Spirit at Jesus' baptism was a sign that he was the Son of God. Jesus promised the outpouring the Spirit to everyone, which he fulfilled at Pentecost.
From the time of the apostles, the newly baptised were given the gift of the Spirit through the laying on of hands to complete the grace of Baptism. Very early an anointing with perfumed oil was added to the laying on of hands.
"This annointing highlights the name 'Christian' which means 'annointed' and
derives from that of Christ himself who God 'annointed with the Holy Spirit.'"
(CCC 1289).
In the early Church Confirmation was linked with Baptism and was performed at the same time. In the Eastern Church this is still the case.
Question for Reflection:
How can we teach our children about Baptism? Do you have any special traditions for celebrating their Baptism days?
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