1ST SACRAMENT OF THE CHURCH

A. Biblical/HistoricalFoundations

OLD TESTAMENT

Sacred Scripture sees it as “overshadowed” by the Spirit of God (Gen.1:2)

The Church has seen in Noah’s Ark a prefiguring of salvation by Baptism (1 Pt. 3:20)

If water springing up from the earth symbolizes life, the water of the sea is a symbol of death.

By this symbolism, Baptism signifies communication with Christ’s death.

The crossing of the Red Sea announces the liberation brought by Baptism.

NEW TESTAMENT

Baptism prefigured in the crossing of the Jordan River.

All the Old covenant prefigurations find their fulfillment in Christ Jesus. He begins His public life after having baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan (Mt. 3:13).

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

From then on it is possible “to be born of the water and the Spirit” in order to enter the Kingdom of God (Jn. 19:34).

B. Church’s Renewed Understanding on

Baptism

Baptism truly means:

1. New life in Christ2. Incorporation into the Christian community 3. Sacrament of faith

B.1

B.2 New Life in Union with Christ

Unite the baptized with Christ through:

• the symbol of water and God’s Spirit• sharing in Christ’s “baptism “ in His paschal Mystery

B.3 Original Sin and Baptism

Original sin in the context of Baptism refers not to the personal, originating sin of first humans, but to the sinful state resulting from that first sin.

Washing with water- symbolizes a cleansing from all sin and rebirth to new life in the Spirit.

Incorporation into the Church B.4

Baptism’s second effect is to unite us with others as members of Christ’s Body, the Church (CCC, 1267-70). “Just as a human body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, is one body, so also Christ.

Our personal relationship with Christ is never any “private affair” we have created by ourselves, but always a loving friendship that originates, develops and grows in union with fellow members of Christ’s Body, the Church.

The church refers to the baptized person forming the Christian community.

B.5 Sharing in Christ’s Mission

Baptism confers a sharing in Christ’s very mission (CCC 1270). Particularly in his threefold office as prophet, priest and king.

Thus the baptized are called to exercise their sharing in Christ’s priesthood (offer spiritual sacrifices) bear witness to Christ (proclaim, give answer) who is their light.

The baptized are called to live prophetically as Christ lived, to witness as He did, to the luminous coming together of Gospel and Life.

Baptism on Infants B.6

The parents and the godparents,who moreover have a seriousobligation to see that the baptizedchildren , are formed in faith byCatholic upbringing as they growand mature.

Infant baptism highlights the factthat baptism is above all free gift ofGod’s grace, not somethingmerited.

The origin and growth of thepersonal life of every child beginsimmediately upon birth, solikewise does the Christian life offaith in Christ.

Infant baptism simply shows God’sinitiative in loving the child: thefirst step, “wholly directed towardacquiring the fullness of life in Christ.”

B.7 Duties and Responsibilities of Godparents

1. Godparents should be sufficientlymature persons (ordinarily at least16 yrs. old), good living Catholicswho, themselves, have been initiatedin three sacraments.

2. Capable and truly intend to helpthe newly baptized/confirmed tofaithfully live up to all the dutiesinherent in Christian life.

3. Godparents are the secondparents and their duties andresponsibilities do not begin andend on the baptismal day- revivedduring Christmas season, birthdaysand graduation days.

4. Sponsors may be able to extendsome necessary and solicitedassistance.

5. Their duties encompass all aspects,namely, spiritual, moral,psychological and social.

Adult Baptism B.8

The baptism ceremony for adults is similar tobaptism of children except that you make thebaptismal promises yourself. Instead ofgodparents adults have sponsors whose role is toencourage you in the Catholic faith.

SOME RULES FOR ADMINISTERING BAPTISM OF ADULTS:

1. An adult should not be baptized without his knowledge and consent, and then only after being duly instructed. Moreover, he must have true compunction for his sins.

2. The priest who is to baptize adults, as well as the candidates themselves, if in good health, ought properly to be fasting. Unless prevented by grave reasons, immediately following baptism an adult should assist at Mass and receive holy communion.

3. The priest should inform himself of the candidate's status, particularly when dealing with strangers. In these cases let him make careful inquiry as to whether they were ever baptized elsewhere and whether it was done properly.

C. Symbols, Meanings, Ministers

and Recipient

The matter is WATER, which should be true water, for the sake of the authentic sacramental symbolism.

WATER - should be clean, for reasons of health.

The use of plastic containers and bottles should be avoided.

- is a natural symbol.

WATER symbolizes many things.

1. It cleanses, a sign that they want to be clean spiritually and physically, it refreshes.

2. Bathing enables people to experience a regeneration of energy.

3. It gives life.

The form is: “I baptized you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Note: NO Amen.

In emergency baptism, the form is said while water is poured three times.

The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the Bishop, and Priest and, in the Latin church, also the Deacon.

In case of emergency, any person, even someone notbaptized, can baptize, if he has the requiredintention. The intention required is the will to dowhat the Church does when she baptizes, and toapply the Trinitarian baptismal formula. The churchfinds the reason for this possibility in the universalsaving will of God and the necessity of baptism forsalvation.

Every unbaptized is a candidate for baptism. The parents of infants must vouch for the Catholic upbringing of their children.

Other symbols used in the sacramental celebration of baptism:

1. Anointing- the anointing with chrism after Baptism is asign of the royal priesthood of the baptized and theirenrolment into the company of the People of God.

2. White Garment- is a symbol of their new dignity.3. Lighted Candle- it shows their vocation to live as befits

children of light.

The Rite of Baptism

1. Reception of the Children

2. Liturgy of the Word

3. Prayer of Exorcism

4. Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith

5. The Celebration of Baptism

6. Anointing with the Sacred Chrism

7. Clothing with White Garment

8. Lighting of Candle

9. Our Father – Final Blessing