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."
Cabansag, Calero, Pangilinan, Pineda, C., Quimosing,
Vergara, Yap

History of Baptism-John the

Baptist

John the Baptist

Mark an important
milestone in the life of the
early believers of
Christianity.
He was the final prophet of
the Old Covenant.
Those who heeded Johns
message went to the
waters of the Jordan River

Baptism
Baptism came from the Greek
word baptizein means to
dip or immense into the
water.
John used the symbol of
water and the immersion into
water to illustrate act of
conversion.

Baptism in the New

Testament
Adults who wanted to express their
desire to change undergone initiation
Initiation into the community of
believers was a long process
Catechumenate the period of
preparation undergone by those who
desired to receive baptism (Greek
word: instruction)

Process of Catechumenate
Adults were introduced to the gospel values and
the preaching on the Christian way of life.
They were asked to chose a member of the
community who would act as their sponsers
Sponsors will present the candidate to the
bishops or the bishops representative, and
testified on the readiness and worthiness of the
cathechumen
The catechumen learned more about the faith
and were taught the Lords prayer and given the
Creed to learn by heart

 On the Eve of Easter, the solemn ceremonies

started by allowing the candidates together with
their sponsors, to join the congregation and in the
presence of the bishop
In the early morning, the bishop went to the pool
that was near the place where they congregated
Immersing into the water
Anointing each one with oil as the bishop prayed
that the candidate be filled with the gift of the
Holy Spirit

 According to Tertullians summary on

the receptions of the sacraments of
initiation: baptism, confirmation and
Holy Eucharist: The body is
washed so that the soul may be
cleansed, the body is anointed so
that the soul may be made holy, the
body is marked with the sign of the
cross so that the soul may be
strengthened.... (On The
Resurrection of the Body, 8)

Baptism: Infant
If baptism is for the remission and forgiveness
of sins, why is there a need to baptize infants
who have not committed any sins?
Infant baptism brought about changes in the
rite or ceremony itself.
Before: candidates were washed by
immersing into a pool
Now: washing was made by pouring of water
on the head of the infant while the baptismal
formula was said.

Its Celebration Today

Parents and godparents present the child
before the minister and the congregation
The parents give the name of the child and
declare their desire to have the child baptized
in the Church
The presider then speaks to the parents of their
responsibility to bring up the child in the faith
Likewise to the godparents
All those who are present then put a sign of the
cross on the forehead of the infant

Its Celebration Today

Liturgy of the Word of God
Traditional prayer of exorcism
Child is brought to the baptismal
font
If the water to be used has not been
blessed during the celebration of
the Easter Vigil this is the moment
when the priest blesses the water.
Baptismal promises

Its Celebration Today

Water is poured to the infants
forehead
The priest then anoints the child with
holy chrism
The rite concludes with the recitation
of the Lords Prayer
Special prayers for the mothers,
fathers and for all those present in
the celebration

Role of Parents in Baptism

At least one parent or responsible guardian
must give consent to the baptism of the
child. There must be a founded hope
that the infant will be brought up in
the Catholic religion. This means that
the parents demonstrate their
commitment to insure that the child
receives the sacraments and be instructed
in the Catholic faith. At least one of the
parents must be a practicing Catholic.

Godparents
Carefully chosen by the candidate
himself or herself in adult baptism or the
parents of the child to be baptized.
Second parents
Take on the responsibility of the parents
to bring up the child as a good Catholic
Godparents themselves should have
received the sacrament of initiation
They must be at least 16 years old

Signs and Symbols of

Baptism
Water - when we are baptized, the priest or
deacon pours water over us, or we may be
dipped into the baptismal font. The word
baptize means to dip. Water washes us
clean. We go down into the waters of baptism
with Jesus, and rise to new life with him.
Anointing with Chrism - one of the three holy
oils used in the Catholic Church. We are
anointed with chrism at our baptism. The
chrism has a wonderful smell to it. We will be
anointed with chrism again at our confirmation.

Signs and Symbols of

Baptism
Light/Candle - We receive a lighted candle at our
baptism. This candle is lighted from the Paschal
(Easter) Candle in church. Jesus is the Light of
the World. As baptized Christians, we spread the
Light of Jesus to the whole world!
White Garment - after we are anointed with
chrism, we are clothed in a white garment. White
is a symbol of purity and cleanliness. Our white
baptismal garment shows that we are a new
creation, a new member of Christs Body, the
Church.

Teachings of the Church

Holy Baptism is the basis of the
whole Christian life
The gateway to life in the
Spirit(vitae spiritualis ianua),
The door which gives access to the
other sacraments.

Teachings of the Church

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."