Module 6- Baptism

DEFINITIONS

Expression of religious faith: often expressed and supported by a variety of religious practices, rituals, celebrations, and events. One way it can be expressed for Christians is by attending church services on Sundays

Religious Practices: A recognised way of doing something religious. Refers to a broad range of experiences that relate to many aspects of religious faith

  • ways of praying

  • style of worship

  • set time/ place for religious activity

Religious signs and symbols: represent/ convey meaning about something else. Signs represent something else while symbols are physical things but are more complex with numerous meanings. Symbols help people see beyond the surface of things

Religious Rituals: Use symbolic signs, gestures, movements, and words to express and promote what is important about the faith. Rituals help people enter into the mystery of their faith. Rituals are communal celebrations that express belonging to a community and call for participation

Religious Celebrations: Special time when religious communities join together in worship, prayer or to celebrate a religious festival

Religious Events: A set time and sometimes set place, in which an important aspect of religious faith is celebrated

SYMBOLS & SYMBOLS

Catechumen: Oil, which is a sign of strength, helps give people the power to resist evil. Oil gives us the ability to be strengthened by God to be guarded by him on every step of our life journey

Chrism: Gives people the holy spirit and is a sign of God’s favor to us. Through the oil of the chrism, it calls us to live a life of prayer, prophet, and proclamation, and to lead with integrity. As well as to live like a King, Prophet, and priest

Water: Through baptism, we pass through the water, to participate in the death of Christ and emergence to freedom. Being freed from the power of evil, Gods will always prevail. Water can also symbolise the end of sin and new beginnings

Godparents: Being a role model in the life of the baptised faithful. Represent the church family which baptised person is becoming a part of

White Garment: Sign of acceptance and belonging to a community of faith. A visible sign of Jesus’ light and life now present within the child

Paschal Candle: Jesus said ‘Whoever follows me will have the light of life’ The Paschal Candle is lit to symbolise the resurrection of Jesus and shines brightly as a sign of hope, strength, and love. A baptismal candle is lit from it as a child is receiving the ‘light of Christ’ and parents are told to keep the flame alight within the child as it is both the light of Jesus and the ‘light of life’

Sign of the Cross: Marks the imprint of Christ, the one who going to belong to him, and signifies the grace of the redemption of Christ

Words ‘i baptise you…’/ pouring water: Represent initiation into God’s kingdom, becoming a Christian

FEATURES OF BAPTISM

1st stage of the rite:

  • Reception

  • Naming the child

  • Marking with the sign of the cross

Parents asked “What do you want from the church” and “What have you named your child”

The celebrant makes a sign of the cross on the forehead of the child and asks both the parents and godparents to do the same

MEANING: Reminder that baptism is a choice and through it child becomes a member of God’s family

2nd stage of the rite:

  • Liturgy of the word

  • Prayer of intercessions

  • Prayer of exorcism

  • Anoint with oil of catechumens

Proclamation of the word

Then into the formal form of prayer- prayers of intercessions

Prayer of exorcism helps to denounce satan from within the child and free the child from original sin

Anoint the child with catechumens- gives strength for the Christian journey

MEANING: Reminder that faith needs preparation, support, and growth

Third stage of the rite:

  • Profession of faith

  • Baptism

Profession of faith- the main beliefs of the community is said aloud

Then the baptism occurs, pouring of the water onto the child saying ‘[NAME], I baptise you in the name of the father and of the son, and the Holy Spirit’

MEANING: A community baptised person has common faith and baptism makes them join the Christian community

Fourth stage of the rite:

  • White garment

  • Lighting of the baptismal candle

  • Anoint oil of chrism

The child is clothed in a white garment

The baptismal candle lit from the paschal candle

Child anoints with the oil of Chrism- the gifts of the Holy Spirit are passed to the child

MEANING: Reinforce what it means to be a follower of Jesus

The fifth stage of the rite:

  • Lords prayer

  • Blessing for parents/ godparents

Lords prayer said by all in the community

Then both the parents and godparents are given a special blessing

MEANING: Reminder that prayer is important for Catholics. Also, a reminder that those who are the guardians of the child need support with responsibilities

TEACHINGS OF BAPTISM

“Baptism is symbolic not only for the washing away of our sins, but of death, burual and resurection, signifies death of old life and birth to new as a commited Christian”

(Romans, 6)

“Jesus told his disciples to go foruth and make more disciples and baptise them, in the name of the father and of the son and the holy spirit”

(1223 CCC)

Baptism is described as the moment where “we were raised from the dead through the glory of the father”

(Romans, 6: 4)

“Baptism is necessary for salvation as God bound Salvation to the Sacrament”

(1257 CCC)

WHY IS BAPTISM IMPORTANT

  1. Beginning of the faith journey: Initial entry into the catholic church, is the part that makes you a Christian

  2. Through baptism, people are able to enter into the mystery of their faith

  3. Baptism is seen as a public confession of faith and is a celebration for the family to celebrate the great life of the child being baptised