“B” Is For Baptism

The Presentation

"Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the

word." • Gain entry into Christian life and union with

the Holy Spirit

• Gateway to other sacraments

• Reborn as sons of God as it frees us from sin

“This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is

carried out…”• Named after its central rite of Christian

initiation

• Meaning to plunge or immerse

• “Water symbolizes the Catechumen's burial into Christ's death” and enables them to participate in His resurrection as a “new creature”

“This sacrament is also called ‘the washing of regeneration and renewal

by the Holy Spirit,’” • “For it signifies and actually brings about

the birth of water and the Spirit”

• Without which no one can enter the Kingdom of God

"This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their

understanding . . .”

• Baptism is an “enlightenment” in which we receive Jesus and become “sons and daughters of light”.

• Baptism is God’s most beautiful gift.• We also call it…

– Gift – those who receive bring nothing of their own– Grace – given to the guilty – Anointing – it is priestly and royal– Enlightenment – radiates light– Clothing – veils our shame– Bath – washes away our sin– Seal – guard and sign of God’s Lordship.

BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION

Prefigurations of Baptism in the Old Covenant

“Since the beginning of the world, water, so humble and wonderful a

creature, has been the source of life and fruitfulness.”

• Easter Vigil - commemorates events in saving history that prefigured Baptism

• God gives us grace in the symbol of water in Baptism

• According to Sacred Scripture the Spirit of God overshadows water

• The Spirit breathed in the waters making it the wellspring of holiness

“The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the waters of Baptism,

that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness “

• Noah’s ark prefigured salvation through water

• Emersion is a symbol of dying then rising and because of this death and new life we are in communion with Jesus’ death and resurrection

“You freed the children of Abraham from the slavery of Pharaoh, bringing them dry-shod through the waters of the Red Sea, to be an

image of the people set free in Baptism”

• Like the liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt we are liberated from sin through Baptism

• Baptism is also prefigured when the Israelites crossed the Jordan and received the gift of land promised to them

• “The promise of this blessed inheritance is fulfilled in the New Covenant.”

BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION

Christ’s Baptism

“All the Old Covenant prefigurations find their fulfillment in Christ Jesus”

• Jesus is baptized in Jordan River by John the Baptist

• After his resurrection he sends his apostles to baptize the nations and teach to observe what Jesus had commanded

• Jesus voluntarily submitted himself to be baptized by John the Baptist– Intended for sinners, but needed to “fulfill all

righteousness”– Jesus was revealed as God’s beloved son at Baptism

“In his Passover Christ opened to all men the fountain of Baptism.”

• Jesus’ passion was a Baptism in which he had to be baptized

• “The blood and water that flowed from the pierced side of the crucified Jesus are types of Baptism and the Eucharist, the sacraments of new life.”

• We need Baptism in order to enter the Kingdom of God

• St. Ambrose tells us that when we are baptized we participate in his Passion and are therefore redeemed

BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION

Baptism in the Church

“From the very day of Pentecost the Church has celebrated and administered holy Baptism.”

“Father, you give us grace through sacramental signs,

which tell us of the wonders of your unseen power.

In Baptism we use your gift of water, which you have made a rich symbol of the grace you give us in this sacrament.”

Roman Missal, Easter Vigil 42: Blessing of Water

“Since the beginning of the world, water, so humble and wonderful a creature, has been

the source of life and fruitfulness.”

• Water is the Source of Life– Without water, there is no life

• And so, without the water of life from Baptism, our lives in God are incomplete

• Water is essential to all life

“The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the waters of Baptism,

that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness.”

• Water cleanses our sins away

• When the Great Flood came, it washed away all of the sinful men and women

• Water gave new life in the covenant with Noah

“You freed the children of Abraham from the slavery of Pharaoh, bringing them dry-shod through the waters of the Red Sea, to be an image of the people set free in Baptism.”

• Water can also serve as a physical barrier, such as a sea or lake.

• The Red sea separated God’s Chosen People from the Promised Land– It was only by passing through the waters that

they were admitted to the Promised Land, and so, we too must pass through the waters to go to the Promised Land

Christ’s Baptism

• Jesus’ Baptism fulfills all of the Old Testament prefigurations– He was baptized by John the Baptist– After His resurrection, he told his disciples to

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Mt 28:19-20)

Christ’s Baptism (cont.)

• Jesus willingly submitted to His Baptism by John the Baptist.

• The dove that descended upon him represented a ‘new creation’

• At the His Final Supper, he said that they (the Disciples) were to now be baptized in the blood and water from his side.

• Therefore, we are born into ‘New Life” through Jesus.

Baptism in the Church

• "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

• According to the Apostle Paul, the believer enters through Baptism into communion with Christ's death, is buried with him, and rises with him

"The word is brought to the material element, and it becomes a

sacrament." • Water, with it’s life-giving effects, is an

‘imperishable seed’

• The ‘seed’ is growth of the individual in their faith, through Jesus

BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION

How the Sacrament is Celebrated

Christian Initiation

• Certain essential elements will always have to be present to be baptized,– Proclamation of the Word, – Acceptance of the Gospel entailing

conversion, – Profession of faith, – Baptism itself, – The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, – And admission to Eucharistic communion.

Changes Through Time

• In the first centuries of the Church, Christian initiation saw considerable development.

• A long period of catechumenate included a series of preparatory rites, which were liturgical landmarks along the path of catechumenal preparation and culminated in the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation.

Concerning Infant Baptisms

• The Church considers it acceptable to baptize a child, so long as the child is taught the faith

• This both leads to and requires the sacrament of Confirmation– Confirmation seals the Baptism and brings us

into the fullness of Baptism itself

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

• When an adult is baptized, there are considered to be at an age of reason

• By accepting Baptism, they also accept the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation

• They are also made ready for the sacrament of Reconciliation

The mystagogy of the Celebration

• The meaning and grace of the sacrament of Baptism are clearly seen in the rites of its celebration. By following the gestures and words of this celebration with attentive participation, the faithful are initiated into the riches this sacrament signifies and actually brings about in each newly baptized person.

The sign of the cross marks the imprint of Christ, and as the One who is going to belong to him is in

the grace of the redemption Christ won for us.

• The proclamation of the Word of God enlightens the candidates and the assembly with the revealed truth and elicits the response of faith, which is inseparable from Baptism. Indeed Baptism is "the sacrament of faith" in a particular way, since it is the sacramental entry into the life of faith.

“Since Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil, one or more

exorcisms are pronounced over the

candidate.” • Celebrant anoints the catechumen with oil,

lays his hands on his head, and renounces Satan– This prepares the catechumen to profess the

faith in which he or she will be entrusted through Baptism

“The Church asks God that through his Son the power of the Holy Spirit may be sent

upon the water…”

• The epiclesis is a blessing set upon the water, making it holy and ready for Baptism

• The Priest calls upon the Holy Spirit to consecrate the water

“The essential rite of the sacrament follows: Baptism properly speaking.”

• Signifies and brings about death to sin and entry into new life through Christ’s death and resurrection

• The triple immersion into the baptismal water signifies the Most Holy Trinity

• It has also been conferred by the pouring of the water over the candidate’s head three times

“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

• In the Latin Church the triple infusion above.• In the Eastern Church, the congregation turns to

the east and the priest says, “The servant of God, N., is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

• The priest then calls for the invocation of all the members of the Holy Trinity as he immerses the candidate three times ( don’t worry, he raises them up again)

“The anointing with sacred chrism…signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly

baptized, who has become a Christian…”

• The candidate then becomes “anointed” in the Holy Spirit and incorporated in Christ

• In the Eastern Church, both Baptism and Confirmation are administered at the same time with the post-baptismal anointing

• In the Roman Church (Our Church) the post baptismal anointing is an announcement given by the bishop

“The white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has "put on Christ,“ has

risen with Christ”

• The candle symbolizes an enlightened neophyte.– Neophyte roughly means novice or person

newly baptized

"Let the children come to me, do not hinder them."

• A child must be baptized in order to receive their First Communion,

• An having been ‘clothed in the wedding garment’ or purity of baptism, they are prepared for baptism.

“At the Baptism of newborns the blessing of the mother occupies a

special place.”• Communion is obtained at an age of

reason

• The baptism concludes at the solemn blessing

BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION

Who Can Receive Baptism?

"Every person not yet baptized and only such a person is able to be

baptized." • Only those whom have not been baptized

can be baptized.

• In other words, anyone whom has not already been baptized is eligible

Baptism of Adults

• Since the beginning of the Church, it has been tradition to be baptized before receiving other sacraments

• Receiving Baptism both allows and requires you to receive the sacraments that follow Baptism

“The catechumenate, or formation of catechumens, aims at bringing their conversion and faith to maturity…”

• Catechumens are properly initiated into the mystery of salvation and evangelical virtues

• They are introduced to faith, liturgy, and charity

"With love and solicitude mother Church already embraces them as her

own." • Catechumens are already joined to the

Church, the House of Christ.

• They then live a life of faith, hope, and charity

Baptism of Infants

• The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant Baptism.

• Infant Baptism free the child form the burden of original sin, as explained in our Pretext

“This practice also accords with their role as nurturers of the life that God

has entrusted to them.” • By the parent taking their child to Baptism,

they fulfill their duty to care for their child

• They nurture their child spiritually

“The practice of infant Baptism is an immemorial tradition of the

Church.”• When “households” receive Baptism, that

implies that the child, too, must receive Baptism.

• And so, the tradition has bee carried out form the second century onward.

Faith And Baptism

• Baptism is the sacrament of faith.

• The Sacrament mean nothing without belief

• The faith required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, yet it must be developed over time

“For all the baptized, children or adults, faith must grow after

Baptism.’• Each year the Church celebrates the

Easter Vigil with the renewal of baptismal promises

• Baptism is the source of new life in Christ

“For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents' help is

important.”• Along with the help required from the

parents, the assistance of the godparents is vital

• It is necessary that they are able to help the newly baptized person along the road of Christian life

• The community is also responsible

Who Can Baptize?

• Bishop, priests, and deacons of the Latin Church

• In times of need, anyone, even a non-baptized person, can perform the Baptism with required intention

The Necessity of Baptism

• Baptism is a necessity for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed

• The Lord commands his followers to spread the Gospel and to baptize

• Baptism is the only way the Church knows to gain Salvation

Baptism of Blood

• The Church has found that those who die for the Church’s sake, without Baptism, are still saved by their dying for Christ’s sake

“For catechumens who die before their Baptism …”

• For those willing to receive the sacrament, yet restricted form doing so, their will to do so has led them to receive Baptism, even though it was not physically received

"Since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the

same destiny, which is divine…”• Through Christ’s death, we are called to

live in Heaven

• We are then called to do all in our power to gain salvation, including Baptism

“Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be

saved…”• In regards to children that die before

receiving Baptism, They are considered to be at the mercy of God

THE GRACE OF BAPTISM

For the forgiveness of sins…

“The different effects of Baptism are signified by the perceptible elements of the

sacramental rite.”

• The water symbolizes both death and purification as well as regeneration and renewal

• Because of this, sins are forgiven and new life begins

“By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all

punishment for sin.” • Since the baptized is reborn, nothing is left in him

that could interfere their entry into the Kingdom of God

• Original sin and all other sins as well as punishment for sins no longer exist

• FYI: The worst punishment for sin is separation from God

“…certain temporal consequences of sin remain in the baptized…”

• These consequences include– Suffering– Death– Flaws in character– Concupiscence ( basically temptation )

• The church describes concupiscence as “the tinder for sin”

• One must compete with concupiscence (with the help of Jesus Christ) in order to be granted eternal salvation– An analogy from the Catechism: "an athlete is not crowned

unless he competes according to the rules."

THE GRACE OF BAPTISM

“A new creature”

“Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte ‘a new

creature,’…” • The neophyte becomes a “new creature” and

adopted child of God• As a result he becomes a co-heir with Christ• Also becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit

“Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification”

• Neophyte can now believe in God, trust in him and love him through theological virtues

• He can live and act under the prompting and gifts of the Holy Spirit

• Able to grow in goodness through moral virtues

• The entire spiritual life of the Christian is based on Baptism

THE GRACE OF BAPTISM

Incorporated in the church, the Body of

Christ

“Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: "Therefore . . . we are members one

of another.’”

• Baptism makes us part of the church

• In Baptism, the “People of the new Covenant” is born

• Baptism transcends all races, sexes, and cultures

• "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body."

“The baptized have become ‘living stones’ to be ‘built into a spiritual house, to be a holy

priesthood.’” • In Baptism we share in the priesthood of Christ• “They are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a

holy nation, God's own people…’”• Through baptism we are called to spread the

word of God through both deed and word• “Baptism gives a share in the common

priesthood of all believers”

“Having become a member of the Church, the person baptized belongs no longer to himself,

but to him who died and rose for us.”

• The baptized must now obey others especially leaders of the church and serve others through the communion with the Church.

• However, the neophyte is also entitled to all the rights of the church upon Baptism– These include

• Receiving other sacraments

• Being nourished by the Word of God and other spiritual resources

• The baptized must also profess his faith as well as participate in the apostolic mission of the Church

THE GRACE OF BAPTISM

The sacramental bond of the unity of

Christians

“Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians, including

those who are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church”

• The Baptized Christians who do not belong to the Catholic faith are justified through their faith in Jesus

• They have the right to be called Christians

• Therefore, they are accepted as brothers of the children of the Catholic Church

• "Baptism therefore constitutes the sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn."

THE GRACE OF BAPTISM

An indelible spiritual mark . . .

“Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ”

• Baptism permanently seals the person into membership with Christ

• No sin can take away this seal• However, sin can still prevent one from receiving the

rewards of Baptism• Baptism is given once and for all and can never be

repeated• The Baptismal seal enables and commits one to

participate in the liturgy as well as “exercise their baptismal priesthood by the witness of holy lives and practical charity”

“Holy Spirit has marked us with the seal of the Lord ("Dominicus character") ‘for the day

of redemption.’” • Baptism is a seal of eternal life• The faithful Christian who has "kept the

seal" until the end, remaining faithful to the demands of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life "marked with the sign of faith," with his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God - the consummation of faith - and in the hope of resurrection

• Thank you for your attention. We will now proceed with a special surprise!

• After our surprise, we will close with some more fun, followed by your questions

• Once again, thank you for you cooperation.