Baptism: The Permanent Mark of Belonging to Christ

Welcome to the Domestic Church Corner, where we will be exploring the seven Sacraments this year. 

Most of us don’t remember our baptism if we are “Cradle Catholics”, and often don’t understand the incredible significance of receiving that Sacrament during our infancy.  Baptism, one of the Sacraments of Initiation, along with Confirmation and Eucharist, does what is says, it initiates us into the Church and so much more.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church in 1257 says: “The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.”

Effects
With our Baptism come the following effects:

•   The forgiveness of all personal sins that were committed before Baptism and Original Sin and all punishment connected with that sin.
• When we are baptized, we become a new creation in Christ.  When we are plunged in the waters of baptism, we die to our old self and arise out of the waters as a new creature.
• We become adopted sons and daughters of God.  Children to the Father and brothers and sisters to Christ.
• The Holy Spirit dwells in us.
• We are filled with sanctifying grace. 
• We are incorporated into the Body of Christ, the Church, and become brothers and sisters of one another. 
• We begin to share in the mission of Christ and become priest, prophet, and king. 
• We receive a permanent spiritual mark on our soul, called a character, that claims us for Christ.  We never repeat the Sacrament of Baptism because that character is permanent through all eternity.  It’s a sign that we belong to Christ.
• We are made citizens and heirs of heaven.

That list of what happens because of our Baptism is why as a lifelong Catholic, you were most likely baptized soon after you were born.  Your parents cared for your spiritual needs just like they fed you and changed your diapers.  Being a part of the Church, being free of the inherited Original Sin and being adopted into God’s family are ways your parents cared for you spiritually.

Form and Matter

From learning about Sacraments last month, we know that every sacrament requires two things, form and matter. The form of a Sacrament is the words spoken and the matter, the physical substance(s) used for the Sacrament. “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” is the form of Baptism.  Those are the words that must be spoken, and water must be poured over the recipient, either by pouring water over the head or immersing them totally in a font.  Water is the only substance we can use to baptize, so diet Coke and weak iced tea are out.   

The Baptism rite also has an anointing with oil, a rejection of Satan, and vows that are made by the parents and godparents.  The water used for baptism is blessed by the minister of the Sacrament, which can be either a priest or deacon.   In an emergency and a case of imminent death, anyone can baptize with water and the form required.

Since we are a body and soul composite, we are also given some outward signs of Baptism such as a white garment, which signifies the soul being purified and transformed, a baptismal candle which signifies that we receive Christ’s light within us, and an anointing with chrism, which 
means we are part of Christ’s mission of salvation.

Finally, a word about the role parents and godparents at an infant or child baptism.  The parents, or guardians of the child, make the vow to raise the child in the Catholic faith and they make all the baptismal promises on behalf of the child. 

Godparents have a huge role to play that consists of more than helping to hold the child or accept the lit candle.  Godparents are to be role models of living the faith and if the parents cannot raise the child in the faith, the godparents take on that responsibility. 

Check out the remaining bulletin issues in October for activities to reinforce what we have learned about Baptism. In November, we’ll learn about Confirmation.