Pre Baptismal Information Form (Page 5 of 6) in pdf

UNDERSTANDING BAPTISM

The Sacrament of Baptism is the initial sacrament of faith. In this sacrament, the person is

immersed into the Paschal Mystery -- the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. The effects of Original

Sin are combated in that Baptism transforms the relationship between God and the believer and His light

brings us out of darkness into the splendor of God's kingdom of light. Through the waters of Baptism, we

enter a new kind of life, the life of the spirit.

Infant Baptism celebrates the saving faith already transforming the lives of the parent and of the

community, a faith that will be shared, by word and example with the newly baptized infants as they grow

into responsible young adulthood. This ancient practice of Infant Baptism continues in the church today.

Parents and community must clearly understand the Christian meaning of Baptism, and must freely choose

to celebrate the sacrament as a time of growth in their own relationship with God. The goal of Christian

Initiation is the formation of a spirit filled adult community of deeply committed Christians who in bearing

witness to their faith in Christ, glorify their Father in heaven. So Baptism must be understood as a 'new

birth' into a way of life. It is the first stage in an extended process of growth toward Christian maturity. In

choosing Baptism for an infant, parents and the community accept the responsibility to continue the

initiation of the baptized through Eucharist and Confirmation. Grace builds on nature, and the sacraments

of initiation, Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation, are but milestones in the spiritual journey of the

awakening child.

For Christians, Christ is the 'sacrament', the effective sign of God's love, mercy, and power in our

lives. Since Christ acts through His Church, the Christian Community, the sacraments need to be

understood and seen in the context of the saving actions of the community of believers. At Baptism,

marked with the sign of faith, the baptized enters into the Christian community. Now as members of this

Christian community, they gather in His name to pray with, and for each other. They encourage one

another by word and example, exhorting each other in faith. They bear one another's burdens and so fulfill

the law of Christ. The sacramental celebrations within the community joyfully express this reality for the

believer, thereby deepening faith and strengthening the bonds of the Christian community.

The Baptismal ritual itself is rich in meaning. The Rite includes the proclamation of the scriptures.

As Christians, this states the importance of the word of God in the life of the Christian community, and the

individual Christian. The Word also comes alive in the blessing of the Baptismal Water which recalls

God's saving actions among His people. The symbols used in Baptism clearly express Catholic teaching.

We begin with the sign of the cross on the forehead, which marks us with the cross of Jesus, identifying the

daily struggles of our life with His cross. The old of the catechumenate strengthens us in a firm and faithful

commitment to the Lord. Water, which in reality is a source of life and death, symbolizes our entrance into

the death and resurrection of Jesus. The oil of chrism anoints us as priest, prophet, and king. The lighting

of the candle from the Paschal candle reminds us that we have accepted Christ, who drives away the

darkness of sin. Clothing in white demonstrates that we are a new creation. The "Ephpheta" or prayer over

the ears and mouth indicates our openness to hear the Word of God, and our readiness to proclaim His

praises.

Baptism is the door to life and the kingdom of God. It is the beginning of the initiation into a life

committed to Christ. Baptism is without fruit if not lived out. The Sacrament invites the baptized on a

pilgrimage with the whole Church, seeking the fullness of faith, eternal life in Christ. Baptism calls the

person, in this life, to actively engage in Christ's mission of love, to become like Christ, the revelation of

God's love.

Pre Baptismal Information Form Page 5