YOUCAT Lesson 195, part 2 of 2 parts
YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth
195 How is Baptism administered?
The classical form of administering Baptism is the threefold
immersion of the candidate in the water.
Usually, however, water is poured three times over the head of the
candidate, while the minister of the sacrament speaks the words, “(Name), I
baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit.” [1229-1245, 1278]
Water symbolizes cleansing and new life, which was already
expressed in the baptism of repentance performed by John the Baptist. The Baptism that is administered with water
“in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” is more
than a sign of conversion and repentance; it is new life in Christ. That is
why the ceremony also includes the signs of anointing, the white garment, and
the baptismal candle.
The night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of light…Put on the Lord Jesus Christ (like a new
garment). Romans 13:12,14
…….HOW IS THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
CELEBRATED?
…….1234 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. –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition
…….1235
The sign
of the cross, on the threshold of the celebration, marks with the
imprint of Christ the one who is going to belong to him and signifies the grace
of the redemption Christ won for us by his cross. –CCC
……1236 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. –CCC
…….1237 Since
Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil, one or
more exorcisms are
pronounced over the candidate. The celebrant then anoints him with the oil of
catechumens, or lays his hands on him, and he explicitly renounces Satan. Thus
prepared, he is able to confess the faith of the Church,
to which he will be "entrusted" by Baptism. (compare Romans 6:1)39 –CCC
…….1238 The baptismal
water is
consecrated by a prayer of epiclesis (either at this moment or at the Easter
Vigil). The Church asks God that through his Son the power of the Holy Spirit
may be sent upon the water, so that those who will be baptized in it may be
"born of water and the Spirit." (John 3:5)40 –CCC
……. The essential rite of the sacrament follows: Baptism properly speaking. It signifies
and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy
Trinity through configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ. Baptism is
performed in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal
water. However, from ancient times it has also been able to be conferred by
pouring the water three times over the candidate's head. –CCC
…….1240
In the Latin Church this triple infusion is accompanied by the
minister's words: "N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In the Eastern liturgies the catechumen
turns toward 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." At the invocation of each person of the Most Holy Trinity, the
priest immerses the candidate in the water and raises him up again. –CCC
…….1241 The anointing
with sacred chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies
the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian,
that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ
who is anointed priest, prophet, and king. (compare Rite of Baptism of
Children 62)41 --CCC
…….1242 In
the liturgy of the Eastern Churches, the post-baptismal anointing is the
sacrament of Chrismation (Confirmation). In the Roman liturgy the post-
baptismal anointing announces a second anointing with sacred chrism to be
conferred later by the bishop Confirmation, which will as it were
"confirm" and complete the baptismal anointing. –CCC
…….1243 The
white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has "put on
Christ," (Galatians 3:27)42 has risen with Christ.
The candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that Christ
has enlightened the neophyte. In him the baptized are "the light of the
world." (Matthew 5:14; compare Philippians 2:15)43 --CCC
The newly baptized is now, in the only Son, a child of God
entitled to say the prayer of the children of God: "Our Father." –CCC
…….1244 First Holy Communion. Having become a child of God clothed with
the wedding garment, the neophyte is admitted "to the marriage supper of
the Lamb" (Revelation 19:9)44 and receives the food of the
new life, the body and blood of Christ. The Eastern Churches maintain a lively
awareness of the unity of Christian initiation by giving Holy Communion to all
the newly baptized and confirmed, even little children, recalling the Lord's
words: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them." (Mark 10:14)45 The Latin Church, which reserves
admission to Holy Communion to those who have attained the age of reason,
expresses the orientation of Baptism to the Eucharist by having the newly
baptized child brought to the altar for the praying of the Our Father. –CCC
…….1245 The solemn blessing concludes the celebration of Baptism.
At the Baptism of newborns the blessing of the mother occupies a special place.
…….IN
BRIEF
…….1278 The essential rite of Baptism consists in
immersing the candidate in water or pouring water on his head, while
pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit. --CCC
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