THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

WHAT IS SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM?

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in
the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the
other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as
sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the
Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of
regeneration through water in the word."
WHAT IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED?

This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried
out: to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the
"plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's
death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new
creature."
BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF
SALVATION
WHAT IS BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF
SALVATION?
The Economy of Salvation, also called the Divine Economy, is that part of divine revelation in the
Christian tradition that deals with God’s creation and management of the world, particularly his plan of
salvation accomplished through the Church. From the Greek oikonomia (economy), literally,
"management of a household" or "stewardship".

It is the elements and resources revealed by God as necessary for the sake of our salvation through
God's revelation and communication of Himself to mankind. It refers to God's creation of all things, and of
His governance of the world, especially with regards to Jesus' part in salvation, which includes His
mission being fulfilled by His Body, the Church, and through the sacraments.
• This economy is related to a transaction:
• God gives the means of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
CHRISTS BAPTISM
BAPTISM IN THE CHURCH

From the very day of Pentecost the Church has celebrated and administered holy
Baptism. Indeed St. Peter declares to the crowd astounded by his preaching: "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."26 The apostles and their
collaborators offer Baptism to anyone who believed in Jesus: Jews, the God-fearing,
pagans. Always, Baptism is seen as connected with faith: "Believe in the Lord Jesus,
and you will be saved, you and your household," St. Paul declared to his jailer in
Philippi. And the narrative continues, the jailer "was baptized at once, with all his family."

According to the Apostle Paul, the believer enters through Baptism into communion with
Christ's death, is buried with him, and rises with him:
HOW THE SACRAMENT OF
BAPTISM CELEBRATES?
CHRISTIAN INITIATION
The sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - lay
the foundations of every Christian life. "The sharing in the divine nature given to men
through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and
nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the
sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By
means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing
measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity.
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.
WHO CAN RECEIVE BAPTISM?
THE BAPTISM OF ADULTS

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, on the threshold of the celebration, marks with the imprint of Christ the one who is
going to belong to him and signifies the grace of the redemption Christ won for us by his cross.

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. The celebrant then anoints him with the oil of catechumens, or lays his
hands on him, and he explicitly renounces Satan. Thus prepared, he is able to confess the faith of the
Church, to which he will be "entrusted" by Baptism.

The baptismal water is consecrated by a prayer of epiclesis (either at this moment or at the Easter Vigil).
The Church asks God that through his Son the power of the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the water, so
that those who will be baptized in it may be "born of water and the Spirit.“

The essential rite of the sacrament follows: Baptism properly speaking. It signifies and actually brings
about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity through configuration to the Paschal
mystery of Christ. Baptism is performed in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the
baptismal water. However, from ancient times it has also been able to be conferred by pouring the
water three times over the candidate's head.
In the Latin Church this triple infusion is accompanied by the minister's words: "N., I baptize you in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In the Eastern liturgies the catechumen turns
toward 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." At the invocation of each person of the Most Holy Trinity, the priest
immerses the candidate in the water and raises him up again.

The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy
Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit,
incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king

In the liturgy of the Eastern Churches, the post-baptismal anointing is the sacrament of Chrismation
(Confirmation). In the Roman liturgy the post- baptismal anointing announces a second anointing with
sacred chrism to be conferred later by the bishop Confirmation, which will as it were "confirm" and
complete the baptismal anointing

The white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has "put on Christ,"42 has risen with Christ.
The candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that Christ has enlightened the neophyte. In him the
baptized are "the light of the world.
THE BAPTISM OF INFANTS
Since the beginning of the Church, adult Baptism is the common practice where the proclamation of the
Gospel is still new. The catechumenate (preparation for Baptism) therefore occupies an important place.
This initiation into Christian faith and life should dispose the catechumen to receive the gift of God in
Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.

The catechumenate, or formation of catechumens, aims at bringing their conversion and faith to maturity,
in response to the divine initiative and in union with an ecclesial community. The catechumenate is to be
"a formation in the whole Christian life . . . during which the disciples will be joined to Christ their teacher.
The catechumens should be properly initiated into the mystery of salvation and the practice of the
evangelical virtues, and they should be introduced into the life of faith, liturgy, and charity of the People
of God by successive sacred rites.
FAITH AND BAPTISM

Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith needs the community of believers. It is
only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe. The faith
required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is
called to develop. The catechumen or the godparent is asked: "What do you ask
of God's Church?" The response is: "Faith!"
WHO CAN BAPTIZE?
THE NECESSITY OF BAPTISM

The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his
disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them.61 Baptism is
necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who
have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any
means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she
takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all
who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." God has bound salvation to
the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.
THE GRACE OF BAPTISM

The different effects of Baptism are signified by the perceptible elements of the
sacramental rite. Immersion in water symbolizes not only death and purification, but
also regeneration and renewal. Thus the two principal effects are purification from sins
and new birth in the Holy Spirit.
INCORPORATED INTO THE CHURCH, THE BODY
OF CHRIST

Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: "Therefore . . . we are members one
of another.“ Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the baptismal fonts is born
the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or
human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes: "For by one Spirit we were all
baptized into one body.“
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: "For men who believe in Christ and have been properly
baptized are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. Justified by faith in
Baptism, [they] are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with
good reason are accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church."81 "Baptism therefore
constitutes the sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn."