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Jesus Christ instituted, or gave us, the sacrament of Baptism and told his followers to give it to others by using water and calling upon the name of the Blessed Trinity.
The Use of Water
Christ chose water as a sign for this sacrament because it had deep meaning to God's people. They knew, from the book of Genesis, that the Spirit began the work of creation in the waters of the world (Gen 1:2). They also remembered that God had used water to destroy all evil men in Noah's time. In their own history of salvation the Jews recalled how God had used the waters of the Red Sea to save his people, how the waves parted for them to pass through into the Promised Land. So in all these events the people had come to see that God had used water both as a way of destroying evil and of doing good for them.
Through the work of Saint John the Baptist they also saw water as a way of showing the desire to be cleansed of sin since they had repented. So it was quite easy for them to accept it as God's sign of actually taking sin away.
But ordinary water by itself cannot free us from sin or give us the new life of grace. Only when it is used in Baptism according to the plan of Jesus can it do this. This means that the water must be poured over the forehead of the person to be baptized while the priest says these words: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
These words tell us that the person is being consecrated to the Blessed Trinity. He is being made a child of the Father, a brother or sister of Jesus Christ; a temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Rite of Baptism
First, the infant to be baptized is brought to the church by his parents and godparents. The priest, who represents Jesus for us, meet the family at the entrance and welcomes the baby into the community of God. This shows us that by Baptism we are made members of the holy Church.
Then the Liturgy of the Word takes place. The readings remind us that God has commanded Baptism for our salvation. After the homily and Litany of the Saints (after one of whom we are usually named), the ceremony reaches its most important part: the exorcism and actual Baptism with water.
Original sin put us under the evil influence of the devil, for Adam and Eve chose to believe him rather than God. Exorcism is the Church's powerful way of destroying this influence. The prayer of exorcism says: Almighty and everlasting God, you sent your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness, and bring him into the splendor of your Kingdom of light. We pray for this child: set him free from original sin, make him a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. (Rite of Baptism)
After the exorcism the priest anoints the baby with the oil of the catechumens. Next, the baby, through the lips of his parents and godparents, rejects sin and Satan and accepts the teachings of Jesus as stated in the Creed. Then the priest carries out the actual sacrament by pouring water while saying the words of Baptism. The final ceremonial actions are the anointing with chrism, the clothing, and the lighting of the baptismal candle.
This anointing is done with a special oil called chrism. This is blessed by the bishop and is used to show that the new Christian shares in Christ's triple mission as prophet, priest, and king. The priest says this prayer while anointing the baby: God the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into his holy People. He now anoints you with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as members of his body, sharing everlasting life. Amen. (Rite of Baptism)
Then the infant receives a white garment. The color white is an ancient symbol for purity and sinlessness. A new white candle is also given to him as a reminder of Our Lord, who is the true Light of the world (Jn 9:5). It also calls to mind Jesus' words to his followers: "You are the light of the world. . . Your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your Heavenly Father" (Mt 5:14, 16).
Living Our Baptismal Commitment
At Baptism we make a vow, or solemn promise to God. We vow to give up sin and live according to his teachings of Christ. In order to keep this promise we need to pray and receive the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist often. We must also study the Catholic faith. This helps us live in faith, hope and charity as we journey toward Heaven, our eternal home.
Used with the permission of The Ignatius Press 800-799-5534
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