1
B Is For Baptism

• The Presentation

2
"Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through
water in the word."

• Gain entry into Christian life and union with the
  Holy Spirit
• Gateway to other sacraments
• Reborn as sons of God as it frees us from sin

3
This sacrament is called Baptism, after the
central rite by which it is carried out

• Named after its central rite of Christian
  initiation
• Meaning to plunge or immerse
• Water symbolizes the Catechumen's burial into
  Christ's death and enables them to participate
  in His resurrection as a new creature

4
This sacrament is also called the washing of
regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

• For it signifies and actually brings about the
  birth of water and the Spirit
• Without which no one can enter the Kingdom of God

5
"This bath is called enlightenment, because those
who receive this catechetical instruction are
enlightened in their understanding . . .

• Baptism is an enlightenment in which we receive
  Jesus and become sons and daughters of light.
• Baptism is Gods most beautiful gift.
• We also call it
• Gift those who receive bring nothing of their
  own
• Grace given to the guilty
• Anointing it is priestly and royal
• Enlightenment radiates light
• Clothing veils our shame
• Bath washes away our sin
• Seal guard and sign of Gods Lordship.

6
BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION

• Prefigurations of Baptism in the Old Covenant

7
Since the beginning of the world, water, so
humble and wonderful a creature, has been the
source of life and fruitfulness.

• Easter Vigil - commemorates events in saving
  history that prefigured Baptism
• God gives us grace in the symbol of water in
  Baptism
• According to Sacred Scripture the Spirit of God
  overshadows water
• The Spirit breathed in the waters making it the
  wellspring of holiness

8
The waters of the great flood you made a sign
of the waters of Baptism, that make an end of sin
and a new beginning of goodness

• Noahs ark prefigured salvation through water
• Emersion is a symbol of dying then rising and
  because of this death and new life we are in
  communion with Jesus death and resurrection

9
You freed the children of Abraham from the
slavery of Pharaoh, bringing them dry-shod
through the waters of the Red Sea, to be an image
of the people set free in Baptism

• Like the liberation of Israel from slavery in
  Egypt we are liberated from sin through Baptism
• Baptism is also prefigured when the Israelites
  crossed the Jordan and received the gift of land
  promised to them
• The promise of this blessed inheritance is
  fulfilled in the New Covenant.

10
BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION

• Christs Baptism

11
All the Old Covenant prefigurations find their
fulfillment in Christ Jesus

• Jesus is baptized in Jordan River by John the
  Baptist
• After his resurrection he sends his apostles to
  baptize the nations and teach to observe what
  Jesus had commanded
• Jesus voluntarily submitted himself to be
  baptized by John the Baptist
• Intended for sinners, but needed to fulfill all
  righteousness
• Jesus was revealed as Gods beloved son at Baptism

12
In his Passover Christ opened to all men the
fountain of Baptism.

• Jesus passion was a Baptism in which he had to
  be baptized
• The blood and water that flowed from the pierced
  side of the crucified Jesus are types of Baptism
  and the Eucharist, the sacraments of new life.
• We need Baptism in order to enter the Kingdom of
  God
• St. Ambrose tells us that when we are baptized we
  participate in his Passion and are therefore
  redeemed

13
BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION

• Baptism in the Church

14
From the very day of Pentecost the Church has
celebrated and administered holy Baptism.

• Father, you give us grace through sacramental
  signs,
• which tell us of the wonders of your unseen
  power.
• In Baptism we use your gift of water,
• which you have made a rich symbol
• of the grace you give us in this sacrament.
• Roman Missal, Easter Vigil 42 Blessing of Water
  

15
Since the beginning of the world, water, so
humble and wonderful a creature, has been the
source of life and fruitfulness.

• Water is the Source of Life
• Without water, there is no life
• And so, without the water of life from Baptism,
  our lives in God are incomplete
• Water is essential to all life

16
The waters of the great flood you made a sign
of the waters of Baptism, that make an end of
sin and a new beginning of goodness.

• Water cleanses our sins away
• When the Great Flood came, it washed away all of
  the sinful men and women
• Water gave new life in the covenant with Noah

17
You freed the children of Abraham from the
slavery of Pharaoh, bringing them dry-shod
through the waters of the Red Sea, to be an image
of the people set free in Baptism.

• Water can also serve as a physical barrier, such
  as a sea or lake.
• The Red sea separated Gods Chosen People from
  the Promised Land
• It was only by passing through the waters that
  they were admitted to the Promised Land, and so,
  we too must pass through the waters to go to the
  Promised Land

18
Christs Baptism

• Jesus Baptism fulfills all of the Old Testament
  prefigurations
• He was baptized by John the Baptist
• After His resurrection, he told his disciples to
  "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
  baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
  the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
  observe all that I have commanded you." (Mt
  2819-20)

19
Christs Baptism (cont.)

• Jesus willingly submitted to His Baptism by John
  the Baptist.
• The dove that descended upon him represented a
  new creation
• At the His Final Supper, he said that they (the
  Disciples) were to now be baptized in the blood
  and water from his side.
• Therefore, we are born into New Life through
  Jesus.

20
Baptism in the Church

• "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."
• According to the Apostle Paul, the believer
  enters through Baptism into communion with
  Christ's death, is buried with him, and rises
  with him

21
"The word is brought to the material element, and
it becomes a sacrament."

• Water, with its life-giving effects, is an
  imperishable seed
• The seed is growth of the individual in their
  faith, through Jesus

22
BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION

• How the Sacrament is Celebrated

23
Christian Initiation

• Certain essential elements will always have to be
  present to be baptized,
• Proclamation of the Word,
• Acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion,
• Profession of faith,
• Baptism itself,
• The outpouring of the Holy Spirit,
• And admission to Eucharistic communion.

24
Changes Through Time

• In the first centuries of the Church, Christian
  initiation saw considerable development.
• A long period of catechumenate included a series
  of preparatory rites, which were liturgical
  landmarks along the path of catechumenal
  preparation and culminated in the celebration of
  the sacraments of Christian initiation.

25
Concerning Infant Baptisms

• The Church considers it acceptable to baptize a
  child, so long as the child is taught the faith
• This both leads to and requires the sacrament of
  Confirmation
• Confirmation seals the Baptism and brings us into
  the fullness of Baptism itself

26
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

• When an adult is baptized, there are considered
  to be at an age of reason
• By accepting Baptism, they also accept the
  sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation
• They are also made ready for the sacrament of
  Reconciliation

27
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.

28
The sign of the cross marks the imprint of
Christ, and as the One who is going to belong to
him is in the grace of the redemption Christ won
for us.

• 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.

29
Since Baptism signifies liberation from sin and
from its instigator the devil, one or more
exorcisms are pronounced over the candidate.

• Celebrant anoints the catechumen with oil, lays
  his hands on his head, and renounces Satan
• This prepares the catechumen to profess the faith
  in which he or she will be entrusted through
  Baptism

30
The Church asks God that through his Son the
power of the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the
water

• The epiclesis is a blessing set upon the water,
  making it holy and ready for Baptism
• The Priest calls upon the Holy Spirit to
  consecrate the water

31
The essential rite of the sacrament follows
Baptism properly speaking.

• Signifies and brings about death to sin and entry
  into new life through Christs death and
  resurrection
• The triple immersion into the baptismal water
  signifies the Most Holy Trinity
• It has also been conferred by the pouring of the
  water over the candidates head three times

32
I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

• In the Latin Church the triple infusion above.
• In the Eastern Church, the congregation turns to
  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.
• The priest then calls for the invocation of all
  the members of the Holy Trinity as he immerses
  the candidate three times ( dont worry, he
  raises them up again)

33
The anointing with sacred chrismsignifies the
gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized,
who has become a Christian

• The candidate then becomes anointed in the Holy
  Spirit and incorporated in Christ
• In the Eastern Church, both Baptism and
  Confirmation are administered at the same time
  with the post-baptismal anointing
• In the Roman Church (Our Church) the post
  baptismal anointing is an announcement given by
  the bishop

34
The white garment symbolizes that the person
baptized has "put on Christ, has risen with
Christ

• The candle symbolizes an enlightened neophyte.
• Neophyte roughly means novice or person newly
  baptized

35
"Let the children come to me, do not hinder
them."

• A child must be baptized in order to receive
  their First Communion,
• An having been clothed in the wedding garment
  or purity of baptism, they are prepared for
  baptism.

36
At the Baptism of newborns the blessing of the
mother occupies a special place.

• Communion is obtained at an age of reason
• The baptism concludes at the solemn blessing

37
BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION

• Who Can Receive Baptism?

38
"Every person not yet baptized and only such a
person is able to be baptized."

• Only those whom have not been baptized can be
  baptized.
• In other words, anyone whom has not already been
  baptized is eligible

39
Baptism of Adults

• Since the beginning of the Church, it has been
  tradition to be baptized before receiving other
  sacraments
• Receiving Baptism both allows and requires you to
  receive the sacraments that follow Baptism

40
The catechumenate, or formation of catechumens,
aims at bringing their conversion and faith to
maturity

• Catechumens are properly initiated into the
  mystery of salvation and evangelical virtues
• They are introduced to faith, liturgy, and charity

41
"With love and solicitude mother Church already
embraces them as her own."

• Catechumens are already joined to the Church, the
  House of Christ.
• They then live a life of faith, hope, and charity

42
Baptism of Infants

• The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of
  salvation is particularly manifest in infant
  Baptism.
• Infant Baptism free the child form the burden of
  original sin, as explained in our Pretext

43
This practice also accords with their role as
nurturers of the life that God has entrusted to
them.

• By the parent taking their child to Baptism, they
  fulfill their duty to care for their child
• They nurture their child spiritually

44
The practice of infant Baptism is an immemorial
tradition of the Church.

• When households receive Baptism, that implies
  that the child, too, must receive Baptism.
• And so, the tradition has bee carried out form
  the second century onward.

45
Faith And Baptism

• Baptism is the sacrament of faith.
• The Sacrament mean nothing without belief
• The faith required for Baptism is not a perfect
  and mature faith, yet it must be developed over
  time

46
For all the baptized, children or adults, faith
must grow after Baptism.

• Each year the Church celebrates the Easter Vigil
  with the renewal of baptismal promises
• Baptism is the source of new life in Christ

47
For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents'
help is important.

• Along with the help required from the parents,
  the assistance of the godparents is vital
• It is necessary that they are able to help the
  newly baptized person along the road of Christian
  life
• The community is also responsible

48
Who Can Baptize?

• Bishop, priests, and deacons of the Latin Church
• In times of need, anyone, even a non-baptized
  person, can perform the Baptism with required
  intention

49
The Necessity of Baptism

• Baptism is a necessity for salvation for those to
  whom the Gospel has been proclaimed
• The Lord commands his followers to spread the
  Gospel and to baptize
• Baptism is the only way the Church knows to gain
  Salvation

50
Baptism of Blood

• The Church has found that those who die for the
  Churchs sake, without Baptism, are still saved
  by their dying for Christs sake

51
For catechumens who die before their Baptism

• For those willing to receive the sacrament, yet
  restricted form doing so, their will to do so has
  led them to receive Baptism, even though it was
  not physically received

52
"Since Christ died for all, and since all men are
in fact called to one and the same destiny, which
is divine

• Through Christs death, we are called to live in
  Heaven
• We are then called to do all in our power to gain
  salvation, including Baptism

53
Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that
all men should be saved

• In regards to children that die before receiving
  Baptism, They are considered to be at the mercy
  of God

54
THE GRACE OF BAPTISM

• For the forgiveness of sins

55
The different effects of Baptism are signified
by the perceptible elements of the sacramental
rite.

• The water symbolizes both death and purification
  as well as regeneration and renewal
• Because of this, sins are forgiven and new life
  begins

56
By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin
and all personal sins, as well as all punishment
for sin.

• Since the baptized is reborn, nothing is left in
  him that could interfere their entry into the
  Kingdom of God
• Original sin and all other sins as well as
  punishment for sins no longer exist
• FYI The worst punishment for sin is separation
  from God

57
certain temporal consequences of sin remain in
the baptized

• These consequences include
• Suffering
• Death
• Flaws in character
• Concupiscence ( basically temptation )
• The church describes concupiscence as the tinder
  for sin
• One must compete with concupiscence (with the
  help of Jesus Christ) in order to be granted
  eternal salvation
• An analogy from the Catechism "an athlete is not
  crowned unless he competes according to the
  rules."

58
THE GRACE OF BAPTISM

• A new creature

59
Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but
also makes the neophyte a new creature,

• The neophyte becomes a new creature and adopted
  child of God
• As a result he becomes a co-heir with Christ
• Also becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit

60
Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying
grace, the grace of justification

• Neophyte can now believe in God, trust in him and
  love him through theological virtues
• He can live and act under the prompting and gifts
  of the Holy Spirit
• Able to grow in goodness through moral virtues
• The entire spiritual life of the Christian is
  based on Baptism

61
THE GRACE OF BAPTISM

• Incorporated in the church, the Body of Christ

62
Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ
"Therefore . . . we are members one of another.

• Baptism makes us part of the church
• In Baptism, the People of the new Covenant is
  born
• Baptism transcends all races, sexes, and cultures
• "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one
  body."

63
The baptized have become living stones to be
built into a spiritual house, to be a holy
priesthood.

• In Baptism we share in the priesthood of Christ
• They are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
  holy nation, God's own people
• Through baptism we are called to spread the word
  of God through both deed and word
• Baptism gives a share in the common priesthood
  of all believers

64
Having become a member of the Church, the person
baptized belongs no longer to himself, but to him
who died and rose for us.

• The baptized must now obey others especially
  leaders of the church and serve others through
  the communion with the Church.
• However, the neophyte is also entitled to all the
  rights of the church upon Baptism
• These include
• Receiving other sacraments
• Being nourished by the Word of God and other
  spiritual resources
• The baptized must also profess his faith as well
  as participate in the apostolic mission of the
  Church

65
THE GRACE OF BAPTISM

• The sacramental bond of the unity of Christians

66
Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion
among all Christians, including those who are not
yet in full communion with the Catholic Church

• The Baptized Christians who do not belong to the
  Catholic faith are justified through their faith
  in Jesus
• They have the right to be called Christians
• Therefore, they are accepted as brothers of the
  children of the Catholic Church
• "Baptism therefore constitutes the sacramental
  bond of unity existing among all who through it
  are reborn."

67
THE GRACE OF BAPTISM

• An indelible spiritual mark . . .

68
Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, the person
baptized is configured to Christ

• Baptism permanently seals the person into
  membership with Christ
• No sin can take away this seal
• However, sin can still prevent one from receiving
  the rewards of Baptism
• Baptism is given once and for all and can never
  be repeated
• The Baptismal seal enables and commits one to
  participate in the liturgy as well as exercise
  their baptismal priesthood by the witness of holy
  lives and practical charity

69
Holy Spirit has marked us with the seal of the
Lord ("Dominicus character") for the day of
redemption.

• Baptism is a seal of eternal life
• The faithful Christian who has "kept the seal"
  until the end, remaining faithful to the demands
  of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life
  "marked with the sign of faith," with his
  baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed
  vision of God - the consummation of faith - and
  in the hope of resurrection

70
The End!

• Thank you for your attention. We will now proceed
  with a special surprise!
• After our surprise, we will close with some more
  fun, followed by your questions
• Once again, thank you for you cooperation.