aptism, Sacrament of

 

To Baptize: A Parent’s Decision

 

At baptism, with the support of godparents and of the whole church, your child enters a community of people living to overcome the greed and hatred that are part of our humanity. This community lives its life set against our sinful directions, against “original sin” itself. At the celebration of baptism, you pledge yourselves to rearing this child in a way of Christ and against the sinful inclinations of humanity.

 

The decision to have your baby baptized must come only after serious reflection. Why? Because baptism does not end once the liturgy is over. Nor is baptism something which pertains to the child alone: you are involved.

Bringing your child to the baptismal font expresses your commitment to raise the child in the Christian faith. This faith needs to be awakened, strengthened and developed as the child matures. To present your child for baptism is to accept responsibility for the growth of that faith expressed when the Christian church baptizes.

 

Parents who ask that their child be baptized into Christ have the most significant part to play in the passing on the Christian life to their offspring. It is through them that the child will come to know the love of God. It is through them that the child will learn to be beyond the family circle and become involved in the larger community in which he/she lives. Through the parents, the child will acquire an awareness of being a living and active member of the church.

 

Christian parents do not force their faith upon a child but lovingly profess their own belief in one Lord. Parents should baptize their child not because it is the custom, but because they sincerely desire the Christian life for the child. Parents who value their own faith and baptism will want to share the life of Christ they have inherited. Later, the child’s faith will be based on what he/she has learned and experienced in the home and community from the very first days of life.

 

Because the responsibility of Christian parents is such a serious one, and often difficult, it is very understandable that they should invite family and friends to assist in the responsibility of raising a child in the Christian life. It is the godparents who most explicitly assumes the responsibility with the parents and will be ready to help the parents raise their child in the knowledge of the Lord.

At What Age Should Baptism Occur?

 

It is the first of three sacraments of initiation.

 

In the Catholic tradition, infants (and young children) receive the sacrament of baptism to celebrate their entrance into the faith community. Parents vow to take on the responsibility of raising their child in the Catholic Faith. Parents and godparents gather with family and the Catholic Community to formalize their acceptance of this long-term commitment.

 

Older children and adults may receive the sacrament of baptism at the Easter Vigil by entering a faith formation process of discernment and conversion, this is RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation)

 

There is no "wrong" time to baptize.

Regarding Godparents

 

What is the Role of Godparents?

According to the Code of Canon Law, "Insofar as possible, one to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who is to assist an adult in Christian initiation, or, together with the parents, to present an infant at the baptism, and who will help the baptized to lead a Christian life in harmony with baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it"

 

Who do you chose as a godparent?

• Christian relatives or friends who serve as a Christian role model for your child.
• Someone who gives witness to God in their everyday lives.
• Someone who is willing to maintain a long-term relationship with your child.
• Someone you would entrust with the raising of your child in faith.
• A proxy for the ceremony may be chosen if the godparent cannot attend.

 

What are the Requirements of Canon Law?

• One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient; but there may be two, one of each sex.
• The sponsor must be a Catholic who has received all three sacraments of Christian initiation, at least 16 years of age, and must moreover live 'a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken'.
• If you feel your special circumstances require additional godparents, you can name additional Christian witnesses, but only 2 godparents are included on the Baptismal Certificate.

 

What do the Baptism Symbols Mean?

 

Water

Water is a symbol of both life and death. Its use in baptism is central to the sacrament representing taking on a new life in Christ.

You may choose one of two options to baptize your child at Holy Family: sprinkling or immersion.

 

In the first option, baptismal water is sprinkled over the forehead three times, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Immersion is a more dramatic and powerful water ritual. In immersion, the child’s backside is immersed (not submersed) into the baptismal water three times symbolizing that the newly baptized is dying to sin and rising to new life. Immersion is most similar to the baptism performed by early Christians.

 

Candle

The baptismal candle is a symbol of the light of Christ which is coming into the child’s life.

The Paschal [Easter] Candle is always lit and present near the altar during mass and baptism ceremonies. The Paschal Candle represents the light of Christ.

 

The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal candle after the water baptism. The lit candle is presented to the baptized, held by the father or a godparent during the remainder of the ceremony. The presentation of light represents how the newly baptized will become a son or daughter of “the light.”

 

We encourage the use of the baptismal candle at family birthday celebrations to celebrate the anniversary of being baptized into the Christian family.

 

White garment

White is a symbol of transition and change; purity and cleansing. Its use in the baptism is a visible sign of putting on Christ, of taking on a new way of life.

Infants are given a white bib, and older children receive a small stole.

 

We present this to your child in community as an outward sign that we, as fellow Christians, also accept the responsibility of helping you as you raise your child in the faith of the Catholic Church.

 

Oil

Oil is a symbol used in many sacraments representing power and strength which comes from the Lord. It also has healing properties.

Chrism means “to anoint.” This baptismal oil, chrism, is olive oil with special perfume which is blessed by the bishop in a special ceremony once a year. In the baptismal ceremony it is used to anoint forehead of the newly baptized. This oil is used to anoint a baptized Christian in the sacraments of Confirmation and Ordination.

 

The anointing of the heads of the newly baptized with chrism is accompanied with a declaration which shows that Baptism is the foundation of Christian life : «God (...) has freed you from sin and willed that you be born again of water and the Holy Spirit, uniting you with his people, he himself consecrates you with the chrism of salvation so that as part of Christ, priest, king and prophet you may be members of his body for life everlasting». With Baptism the whole of our existence is called to become living witness.

 

The presider may also choose to anoint the breastbone during the baptism ceremony using the Oil of Catechumens. This is plain olive oil which is blessed by the bishop