Preparing for the Sacrament of Preparing for the Sacrament of BaptismBaptism

St. Ignatius of Loyola ParishSt. Ignatius of Loyola ParishSomersworth, NHSomersworth, NH

The Glory of BaptismThe Glory of Baptism “ “Praised be the God and Father of Praised be the God and Father of

our Lord Jesus Christ, he who in his our Lord Jesus Christ, he who in his great mercy gave us new birth; a great mercy gave us new birth; a birth unto hope which draws its life birth unto hope which draws its life from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; a birth to an from the dead; a birth to an imperishable inheritance, incapable imperishable inheritance, incapable of fading or defilement, which is kept of fading or defilement, which is kept in heaven for you who are guarded in heaven for you who are guarded with God’s power through faith; a with God’s power through faith; a birth to a salvation which stands birth to a salvation which stands ready to be revealed in the last ready to be revealed in the last days.”days.”

1 Peter: 3-5.1 Peter: 3-5.

What is Baptism?What is Baptism?

Baptism is a Sacrament Baptism is a Sacrament of Christian initiation of Christian initiation – By which we receive the By which we receive the

dignity of adoption as dignity of adoption as children of God.children of God.

– By which we are By which we are incorporated into the incorporated into the Body of Christ, the Body of Christ, the Church.Church.

What is Baptism?What is Baptism?

Baptism is the Sacrament Baptism is the Sacrament of regeneration. of regeneration. – By which we are freed from By which we are freed from

Original SinOriginal Sin– By which we are born again By which we are born again

of water and the Holy Spiritof water and the Holy Spirit– By which we receive a new By which we receive a new

and spiritual life in Christand spiritual life in Christ

What is Baptism?What is Baptism?Baptism is the “door of Baptism is the “door of the Church.” the Church.” – Through which we enter Through which we enter

into life in the Spirit.into life in the Spirit.– Through which we attain Through which we attain

the right to receive the the right to receive the other Sacramentsother Sacraments

– Through which we enter Through which we enter into the universal Church into the universal Church and the Communion of and the Communion of Saints.Saints.

What is Baptism?What is Baptism?

Baptism is the Baptism is the Sacrament of FaithSacrament of Faith– Baptism is offered to all Baptism is offered to all

who have faith in Jesus.who have faith in Jesus.– Baptism is the beginning Baptism is the beginning

of a life of faith.of a life of faith.– Baptism brings us into a Baptism brings us into a

community of faith.community of faith.

What is Baptism?What is Baptism?Baptism is a Gift of Sanctifying Baptism is a Gift of Sanctifying Grace.Grace.– It is a divine gift because it is It is a divine gift because it is

given to those who bring nothing given to those who bring nothing of their own.of their own.

– It is grace because it is given out It is grace because it is given out of love even to the guilty.of love even to the guilty.

We receive this magnificent gift We receive this magnificent gift of graceof grace– To believe in GodTo believe in God– To hope in Him.To hope in Him.– To love Him.To love Him.

What is a Sacrament?What is a Sacrament?

The Sacraments are efficacious The Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.which divine life is dispensed to us.– The purpose of the sacraments is to The purpose of the sacraments is to

sanctify men, to build up the Body of sanctify men, to build up the Body of Christ and, to give worship to God. Christ and, to give worship to God.

– They bear fruit in those who receive They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions. them with the required dispositions.

– The visible rites by which the The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each make present the graces proper to each sacrament.sacrament.

Sacraments of InitiationSacraments of InitiationBaptism, the Eucharist, and Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation together constitute Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian the "sacraments of Christian initiation.“initiation.“

The Eucharist is "the source and The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life." By summit of the Christian life." By means of the Eucharist, we means of the Eucharist, we participate with the whole participate with the whole community in the Lord's own community in the Lord's own sacrifice. sacrifice.

Confirmation is necessary for the Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. completion of baptismal grace.

The Sacrament of BaptismThe Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism is a bath of water in Baptism is a bath of water in which the "imperishable which the "imperishable seed" of the Word of God seed" of the Word of God produces its life-giving effect produces its life-giving effect

Baptism signifies and Baptism signifies and actually brings about the actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit birth of water and the Spirit without which no one "can without which no one "can enter the kingdom of God.” enter the kingdom of God.”

Why is Baptism Necessary?Why is Baptism Necessary?The Lord himself affirms that The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for Baptism is necessary for salvation.salvation.

– ““Amen, amen, I say to you, no Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, 'You must be born from told you, 'You must be born from above.‘”above.‘”

– John 3:5-7John 3:5-7

Why is Baptism Necessary?Why is Baptism Necessary?Baptism is necessary for Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been the Gospel has been proclaimed, and who have proclaimed, and who have had the possibility of asking had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.for this sacrament.

The Church does not know The Church does not know of any means other than of any means other than Baptism that assures entry Baptism that assures entry into eternal life.into eternal life.

Why is Baptism Necessary?Why is Baptism Necessary?Jesus also commanded Jesus also commanded his disciples to baptize all his disciples to baptize all nations nations

– Go, therefore, and make Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe teaching them to observe all that I have commanded all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of you always, until the end of the age." the age."

– Matt. 28:19-20Matt. 28:19-20

What are the What are the EffectsEffects of Baptism? of Baptism?

The two principal The two principal effects of Baptism effects of Baptism are:are:

– purification from sins purification from sins

– and new birth in the and new birth in the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit.

Forgiveness of SinsForgiveness of SinsBy Baptism By Baptism allall sins are sins are forgiven, original sin and all forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, together with all personal sins, together with all punishment due to them.punishment due to them.

– Peter said to them, "Repent Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. For the gift of the holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you the promise is made to you and to your children and to all and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call." Lord our God will call."

– Acts 2:38-39Acts 2:38-39

Original SinOriginal SinGod created man in his image God created man in his image and established him in his and established him in his friendship. A spiritual creature, friendship. A spiritual creature, man can live this friendship only man can live this friendship only in free submission to God in free submission to God

Man, tempted by the devil, let his Man, tempted by the devil, let his trust in his Creator die in his heart trust in his Creator die in his heart and, abusing his freedom, and, abusing his freedom, disobeyed God's command. This disobeyed God's command. This was man’s first, or “original” sin.was man’s first, or “original” sin.

Original Sin & Original HolinessOriginal Sin & Original HolinessWhen Adam and Eve sinned When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden by in the Garden of Eden by their disobedience, they lost their disobedience, they lost the sanctifying grace with the sanctifying grace with which they had been blessed which they had been blessed when they were created.when they were created.

We inherit their fallen state, We inherit their fallen state, and are born without that and are born without that sanctifying grace.sanctifying grace.

Sanctifying GraceSanctifying Grace

Born with a fallen Born with a fallen nature and tainted by nature and tainted by original sin, children original sin, children also have need of the also have need of the new birth in Baptism.new birth in Baptism.Baptism restores our Baptism restores our friendship with God friendship with God by an infusion of by an infusion of sanctifying grace. sanctifying grace.

A New Birth in the SpiritA New Birth in the SpiritThrough the grace of Baptism Through the grace of Baptism we become “a new creature,” we become “a new creature,” adopted sons and daughters adopted sons and daughters of God, who partake of the of God, who partake of the divine naturedivine natureWe are incorporated into We are incorporated into Christ’s Mystical Body.Christ’s Mystical Body.We attain a share in the We attain a share in the common priesthood of all common priesthood of all believers.believers.We are called to profess our We are called to profess our faith.faith.

Members of the ChurchMembers of the Church

Baptism makes us Baptism makes us members of the members of the Church. Church. We belong now to We belong now to Christ.Christ.We are called to serve We are called to serve others.others.We enjoy rights within We enjoy rights within the Churchthe Church

Marked with the Sign of FaithMarked with the Sign of FaithBaptism imprints on the Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual soul an indelible spiritual sign which consecrates sign which consecrates the baptized person for the baptized person for Christian worship.Christian worship.No sin can erase this No sin can erase this mark.mark.The seal of baptism is The seal of baptism is given once. Baptism given once. Baptism cannot be repeated.cannot be repeated.

Dying and RisingDying and Rising

““You were buried with You were buried with him in baptism, in him in baptism, in which you were also which you were also raised with him raised with him through faith in the through faith in the power of God, who power of God, who raised him from the raised him from the dead.”dead.”

– Colossians 2:12Colossians 2:12

Dying with HimDying with Him““We imitate Christ’s death by We imitate Christ’s death by being buried with him in being buried with him in baptism. We have to begin a baptism. We have to begin a new life, and we cannot do so new life, and we cannot do so until our previous life has until our previous life has been brought to an end. The been brought to an end. The bodies of the baptized are in bodies of the baptized are in a sense buried in the water a sense buried in the water as a symbol of their as a symbol of their renunciation of the sins of renunciation of the sins of their unregenerate nature.”their unregenerate nature.”

– St. Basil, “On the Holy Spirit”St. Basil, “On the Holy Spirit”

A Share in Christ’s ResurrectionA Share in Christ’s Resurrection

““We were indeed We were indeed buried with him buried with him through baptism into through baptism into death, so that, just as death, so that, just as Christ was raised Christ was raised from the dead by the from the dead by the glory of the Father, glory of the Father, we too might live in we too might live in newness of life.”newness of life.”

– Romans 6:4Romans 6:4

A Sign of Christian UnityA Sign of Christian Unity

ParentsParentsParents seek Baptism for Parents seek Baptism for their children, and speak their children, and speak on their behalf at the on their behalf at the Baptism. Baptism.

As parents, you promise in As parents, you promise in the name of your child to the name of your child to renounce sin and the devil, renounce sin and the devil, and to live the faith and to live the faith according to the teachings according to the teachings of Christ and His Church. of Christ and His Church.

ParentsParents

““Through the grace of the sacrament Through the grace of the sacrament of marriage, parents receive the of marriage, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their childrenevangelizing their children. .

Parents should initiate their children Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the "first the faith of which they are the "first heralds" for their children. They heralds" for their children. They should associate them from their should associate them from their tenderest years with the life of the tenderest years with the life of the Church.Church.

ParentsParents

Faith must grow Faith must grow afterafter Baptism. Within the Baptism. Within the “domestic church” parents, “domestic church” parents, “who have the first “who have the first responsibility for the responsibility for the education of their children” education of their children” have the duty to teach the have the duty to teach the Catholic faith and set an Catholic faith and set an example of Christian living.example of Christian living.

SponsorsSponsors

The godfather and The godfather and godmother must be firm godmother must be firm believers able and ready believers able and ready to help the newly to help the newly baptized on the road of baptized on the road of Christian life.Christian life.Godparents bear the Godparents bear the responsibility of responsibility of safeguarding the grace safeguarding the grace given at Baptism.given at Baptism.

The Role of the GodparentThe Role of the GodparentAlong with the parents, Along with the parents, godparents make the godparents make the Baptismal promises for Baptismal promises for the child.the child.Godparents assume the Godparents assume the duty of teaching the child duty of teaching the child the truths of the faith the truths of the faith when his or her parents when his or her parents are unable to do so.are unable to do so.Godparents are spiritual Godparents are spiritual guides and role models.guides and role models.

Who May be a Sponsor?Who May be a Sponsor?A Catholic person of at least sixteen A Catholic person of at least sixteen years of age who has been confirmed years of age who has been confirmed and has received Holy Eucharist.and has received Holy Eucharist.

A Catholic who knows the faith and lives A Catholic who knows the faith and lives a life of faith, and who does not labor a life of faith, and who does not labor under a canonical penalty, whether under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared.imposed or declared.

One who is not either the father or the One who is not either the father or the mother of the person to be baptized.mother of the person to be baptized.

A baptized person who belongs to a A baptized person who belongs to a non-catholic ecclesial community may non-catholic ecclesial community may be admitted only in company with a be admitted only in company with a Catholic sponsor, and then simply as a Catholic sponsor, and then simply as a witness to the baptism.witness to the baptism.

The Baptismal RiteThe Baptismal Rite

The Rite of BaptismThe Rite of BaptismAll Sacraments have All Sacraments have a proper a proper mattermatter and a and a proper proper form.form.In Baptism, the In Baptism, the mattermatter is wateris waterIn Baptism, the In Baptism, the formform is: “is: “I Baptize you in I Baptize you in the name of the the name of the Father, and of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Son, and of the Holy SpiritSpirit.”.”

WaterWater

The Church asks God The Church asks God that through his Son that through his Son the power of the Holy the power of the Holy Spirit may be sent Spirit may be sent upon the water, so upon the water, so that those who will be that those who will be baptized in it may be baptized in it may be “born of water and the “born of water and the Spirit.”Spirit.”

Water of SalvationWater of Salvation

During the blessing of During the blessing of baptismal water at the baptismal water at the Easter Vigil, the Easter Vigil, the Church solemnly Church solemnly commemorates the commemorates the great events in great events in salvation history that salvation history that already prefigured the already prefigured the mystery of Baptism.mystery of Baptism.

Baptism PrefiguredBaptism Prefigured

Genesis 1:1-3

Genesis 6:1-9:17

Exodus 14:10-31

Mark 1:1-11

What Name?What Name?

““What name do you What name do you give your child?”give your child?”

““What do you ask of What do you ask of God’s Church?”God’s Church?”

Called by NameCalled by NameCatholic children by Catholic children by tradition are given tradition are given the name of a saint.the name of a saint.The saint whose The saint whose name is taken at name is taken at Baptism becomes a Baptism becomes a heavenly patron heavenly patron who exercises who exercises special lifelong care special lifelong care over the baptized over the baptized person.person.

Sign of the CrossSign of the CrossThe sign of the cross The sign of the cross marks with the imprint marks with the imprint of Christ the one who of Christ the one who is going to belong to is going to belong to Him.Him.

This sign of our faith This sign of our faith signifies the grace of signifies the grace of the redemption Christ the redemption Christ won for us by His won for us by His cross.cross.

Gospel ProclamationGospel Proclamation

The proclamation of The proclamation of the Word of God the Word of God enlightens the enlightens the candidates and the candidates and the assembly with the assembly with the revealed truth and revealed truth and elicits the response of elicits the response of faith, which is faith, which is inseparable from inseparable from Baptism. Baptism.

Intercessory PrayersIntercessory Prayers

We pray for the child We pray for the child about to be baptized, about to be baptized, for his or her parents for his or her parents and godparents, and and godparents, and for all those in our for all those in our families both present families both present and absent. and absent.

Litany of the SaintsLitany of the Saints

We seek the prayers We seek the prayers and invoke the and invoke the protection of the saints protection of the saints for those about to be for those about to be baptized.baptized.

The names of other The names of other saints, including the saints, including the patron of the baptized, patron of the baptized, and the patron of the and the patron of the parish church, may be parish church, may be included in the litany.included in the litany.

Prayer of ExorcismPrayer of Exorcism

Almighty and ever-living God, you sent your only Son Almighty and ever-living God, you sent your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness, and evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness, and bring him into the splendor of your kingdom of light. bring him into the splendor of your kingdom of light.

We pray for this child: We pray for this child: set him free from original set him free from original sin, make him a temple sin, make him a temple of your glory, and send of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell your Holy Spirit to dwell with him.”with him.”

Anointing with the Anointing with the Oil of CatechumensOil of Catechumens

““We anoint you with We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the oil of salvation in the name of Christ the name of Christ our Savior; may he our Savior; may he strengthen you with strengthen you with his power, who lives his power, who lives and reigns for ever and reigns for ever and ever.”and ever.”

Blessing of the WaterBlessing of the Water

““Father, look now with Father, look now with love upon your love upon your Church, and unseal Church, and unseal for her the fountain of for her the fountain of Baptism. By the Baptism. By the power of the Spirit power of the Spirit give to the water of give to the water of this font the grace of this font the grace of your Son.” your Son.”

Profession of FaithProfession of FaithDo you believe in God, the Father Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and almighty, creator of heaven and earth?earth?

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?right hand of the Father?

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?everlasting?

BaptismBaptism

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

The Chrism of SalvationThe Chrism of Salvation

““As Christ was As Christ was anointed Priest, anointed Priest, Prophet, and Prophet, and King, so may you King, so may you live always as a live always as a member of his member of his body, sharing body, sharing everlasting life.”everlasting life.”

New Creatures: New Creatures: They Have Put on Christ.They Have Put on Christ.

“ “Here are the Here are the beginnings of beginnings of creatures newly creatures newly formed: children formed: children born from the life-born from the life-giving font of holy giving font of holy Church, born Church, born anew with the anew with the simplicity of little simplicity of little ones.”ones.”

--Ancient Easter --Ancient Easter HomilyHomily

The Anointed Ones:The Anointed Ones:Adopted Children of GodAdopted Children of God

“ “We became “the We became “the anointed ones” when anointed ones” when we received the sign we received the sign of the Holy Spirit. . . . of the Holy Spirit. . . . After coming up from After coming up from the sacred waters of the sacred waters of baptism, we were baptism, we were anointed with chrism, anointed with chrism, which signifies the which signifies the Holy Spirit, by whom Holy Spirit, by whom Christ was anointed.”Christ was anointed.”

– Jerusalem Jerusalem Catecheses.Catecheses.

Receive the Light of ChristReceive the Light of ChristYou are the light of the You are the light of the world. A city set on a world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. light to all in the house. Just so, your light must Just so, your light must shine before others, that shine before others, that they may see your good they may see your good deeds and glorify your deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”heavenly Father.”

– Matthew 5:14-16.Matthew 5:14-16.

Ephephetha “Be Opened”Ephephetha “Be Opened”By the power of its By the power of its symbolism the symbolism the ephphethaephphetha rite, or rite rite, or rite of opening the ears of opening the ears and mouth, impress and mouth, impress on all Christians their on all Christians their need of grace in order need of grace in order that they may hear that they may hear the word of God and the word of God and profess it for their profess it for their salvation.salvation.

The Lord’s PrayerThe Lord’s Prayer

Solemn BlessingSolemn Blessing

The solemn blessing The solemn blessing concludes the concludes the celebration of celebration of Baptism. At the Baptism. At the Baptism of newborns Baptism of newborns the blessing of the the blessing of the mother occupies a mother occupies a special place.special place.

““Let the Children come to me . . . For the Kingdom Let the Children come to me . . . For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”of Heaven belongs to such as these.”