Chapter 4: Baptism

1. Chapter 4: Baptism Goals: **This chapter explores the sacrament of Baptism as one of the three Sacraments of Initiation. ** The process of Christian Initiation is explained.** The Rite of Baptism is reviewed in detail along with the meaning and effects of Baptism

2. Overview - Chapter • This chapter explores the meaning and celebration of Baptism, the first of the Sacraments of Initiation. Baptism is the beginning of a Christian sacramental life. In Baptism, we become members of the Church, and adopted children of God, original sin and all personal sins are forgiven, and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. • Jesus Christ commissioned the disciples to go out and baptize all people. The tradition of infant baptism has its roots in the early church. Baptism can be received only once.

3. Initiation is a word that refers to the process of being “admitted” to a group or organization. The Church welcomes new members through a process of initiation, which culminates in the celebration of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. • Baptism – which is the beginning of a new life. • Confirmation: - which is it strengthening • Eucharist – which nourishes the disciple with Christ’s Body and Blood for his transformation in Christ.   In Baptism, we become members of the Church, adopted children of God, original sin and all personal sins are forgiven, and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

4. Christian Initiation • The rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the Church’s initiation process for adults and school-age children. • This process is a spiritual journey that the Church makes with the catechumens, those seeking membership in the Catholic Church. • Participation in the RCIA may last for several years.

5. This process consist of four periods and three steps: 1. Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate: a period of evangelization, a time when God invites both those seeking membership in the Church and the faithful who welcome them to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit. • First Step: Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens • This takes place after seeking members agree upon their readiness. After this rite is celebrated the seeking members become catechumens. 2. Period of Catechumenate: those seeking initiation into the Church join with the faithful to study, live, and celebrate the Christian life. It is done in 4 ways: • the teachings and precepts of the Church are studied. • with the faithful as their guides, they set out on a spiritual journey. • they participate in the Liturgy of the Word at Mass and in the celebration of other rites, which strengthen their conversion with God’s blessings. • they work “actively with others to spread the Gospel and build up the Church by the witness of their lives and by professing their faith.

6. Second Step: Rite of election • This rite celebrated at the beginning of Lent and marks the beginning of the period of final, more intense preparation for the sacraments of initiation. • At this step the Church elects those to be baptized at Easter and helps them prepare for it. Period of Purification and Enlightenment: those who have been baptized prepare to renew their baptism and those preparing for the sacrament prepare more intensely for its reception. Time for repentance and renewal. • Third Step: Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation. • This the celebration of the Sacrament of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. The elect enter into full membership in the Church. Those who have already been baptized in another Christian faith are not baptized a second time. Period of Post-baptismal Catechesis (Mystagogy): During this period, which coincides with the fifty days of the Easter season, the entire church community welcomes the “neophytes” (the newly initiated members of the Church)

7. BAPTISM: Celebrates our birth into new life in Christ and forms us into God’s people • The Sacrament of Baptism: The most important of all sacraments. Baptism comes from a Greek word meaning “to plunge”, or to “immersed” Baptism is the most important of all the sacraments because is the first step into the Kingdom of God. Water has been the source of life and fruitfulness. The Bible sees it as overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. In Baptism, we are immersed into water. The water symbolizes our burial into the death of Christ and rising up to new life in Christ. It is also called “the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” because it brings about the birth of water and spirit. No one can be baptized more than once.

8. 1. The Baptism of Jesus • 2. The Commissioning of the Disciples • Three examples of people who, although not baptized, still can experience salvation: • Martyrs – those who put to death for their faith., receive what is called “Baptism of blood”. • Catechumens – those being instructed in the faith, and even those who die before they are baptized-are offered salvation by their desire to receive it, their repentance for their sins. This is called “the Baptism of desire.” • Children or infants who die before they are baptized are entrusted to the mercy of God.

9. The Rite of Baptism: • The Baptism of Adults: From the beginning any adult being accepted faith in Jesus and was willing to take part in RCIA is eligible for baptism as part of the initiation sacraments. • The Baptism of Infants: The baptism of infants is rooted in the Baptism of entire families that chose be a Christian family. Parents commit to raise and teach the child faith in Jesus. It is also up to the godparents to instruct the infants about there faith as they grow. Infants are baptized because they were of original sin.

10. The Mystagogy of the Rite of BaptismMystagogy means instruction after celebrating the sacraments. 1. The Sign of the Cross : This is done by the celebrant, parents, and godparents for infants. 2. The Proclamation of the Word: It enlightens the candidates with revealed truths and response of faith. 3. Blessing Of God over the Water: A prayer of epiclesis consecrates the baptismal water. We ask that those being baptized be “born of water and Spirit.” 4. Exorcism: Baptism signifies freedom from sin and the instigator of sin, the devil. 5. Anointing with the Oil of Catechumens: signifies both strength and protection.

11. 6. Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith: These are vows parents and godparents make to the infant. 7. Baptism: The most important rite of the sacrament when the person is immersed into water three times and the pastor says “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” 8. Anointing with Chrism: The sacred chrism signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized. 9. Clothing with white clothes: A white garment is worn symbolizing that the person baptized has “put on Christ.” 10. Lighted Candle: A candle is lighted from the Paschal candle. This candle signifies that Christ has enlightened the members of the Church.

12. The Grace of Baptism • The Seal of Baptism: The baptized receive an indelible, spiritual mark, or character. This mark seals the baptized as belonging to Christ and can never be erased by sin. This seal is also the seal of the Holy Spirit. • The Effects of Baptism: a number of things happen when we celebrate the sacrament of Baptism. • We are purified from sins. • Receive new life in the Holy Spirit • Reborn as adopted children of God • Become members of the Body of Christ • Forgiveness of Sin – water is an element used to wash, cleanse, and bathe. Through Baptism all sins are washed away: original sin, personal sin, and all punishment for sin. • New Creature: • Members of the Body of Christ: It incorporates us into the Church as members of Christ, members of the New Covenant