Baptism

form of Baptism

"..., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (CCC 1240). The form, or words, used in the Sacrament of Baptism come directly from the Apostolic mandate, which Christ gave to his Apostles before his Ascension. Ultimately, it is only these words, that use of water, and the presence of a proper minister that are necessary for the celebration of the Sacrament.

Mt. 28:19

"I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"

Col 2:11-12

"In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not administered by hand, by stripping off the carnal body, with the circumcision of Christ."

John 3:5

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God"

Mk. 16:16

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned."

sponsor

A baptized, confirmed, and practicing Catholic who presents a child or adult for Baptism or Confirmation (and professes the Faith in the case of an infant). This person prays for the one being sponsored and helps with his or her religious instruction.

immersion

A method of baptizing whereby the whole person is submerged in water. The Catholic rite of Baptism provides for Baptism by immersion or affusion (infusion).

profession of faith

A synthesis or summary of the Faith professed by Christians. Professions of Faith are also known as "Symbols of Faith" or "Creeds," derived from the Latin credo, meaning "I believe." The most common Creeds are the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.

justification

Being made right (righteous) with God. It is a free and undeserved gift of God through the sacrafice of Jesus Christ.

Who can receive baptism?

Both adults and infants have received the Sacrament of Baptism since the early days of the Church.

conditional Baptism

Conditional Baptism is administered when there is a doubt that Baptism was validly conferred and so is done "conditionally," that is, on the condition that the Sacrament was not previously received.

moral evil

Evil consequences or suffering that is a direct effect of sinful behavior.

Baptism of Desire

For those who strive to serve God as best they are able but die before having been baptized, their implicit desire to receive Baptism- together with repentance for their sins and charity- assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive sacramentally

ascension

Forty days after his Resurrection, the entry of Jesus' humanity into divine glory.

catechumen

From the Greek for "one being instructed." This new convert is being instructed in the Christian Faith before Baptism.

St. Francis Xavier

He was born of spanish nobility. He studied in Paris and went on to knowing St. Ignatius of Loyola. He became a priest after having a change of heart. He instructed those who had fallen away from the Faith and baptized new converts. He even went onto raising one of man from the dead.

statement of faith during baptismal promises

I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teachs, and proclaims to be revealed by God.

when Christ instituted Baptism

It was after his (Christ's) Death and Resurrection that Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Baptism.

requirement for infant baptism

Minister with the right intention, form, and matter.

Baptism of Blood

One who suffers death for the sake of the Faith, without having been baptized, is "baptized" by his or her death for and with Christ.

trinitarian formula

Par of the form used in the Sacrament of Baptism: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." "The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water and pouring water on his head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." (CCC 1278).

vocation

The particular plan or calling that God has for each individual in this life and hereafter. All people have a vocation to love and serve God and are called to the perfection of holiness. The vocation of the laity consists in seeking the Kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and by directing them according to God's will. Priestly and religious vocations are dedicated to the service of the Chruch.

affusion

The practice of baptizing by means of pouring water over the head of the baptized. The Catholic Rite of Baptism provides for Baptism by immersion or affusion (also known as infusion).

minister of Baptism

The ordinary minister of Baptism is a bishop, priest, or deacon. However, in the case of necessity, anyone may baptize, even a non-baptized person, provided that he or she intends to accomplish what the Church intends by Baptism.

exorcism

The public and authoritative act of the Church to protect or liberate a person, place, or object from the power of the devil (demonic possession) in the name of Christ.

godparent

The sponsor of one who is baptized. A godparent assumes the responsibility to assist the newly baptized child or adult in the practice of the Christian Faith.

Communion of Saints

The unity in Christ of all the redeemed, those on earth and those who have died, especially the unity of faith and charity through the Eucharist.

three missions of Christ

We are called to be living stones in a spiritual house and to share in the life of Christ and his priestly, prophetic, and royal mission.

ephphatha

An Aramaic word that means literally "be opened!" It is the word that Jesus spoke when he cured a deaf-mute. It is the prayer said over the mouth and ears of a newly baptized infant asking that his or her ears may be opened to hear God's word, and his or her mouth be opened to sing God's praises.

domestic chruch

An ancient expression for the Christians family. The family manifests and lives out the communal and familial nature of the Church as the family of God. Each family member, in accord with his or her own role, exercises the Baptismal priesthood and contributes toward making the family a community of grace and prayer, a school of human Christian virtue, and the place where the Faith is first proclaimed to children.

Didache

An early Christian writing (ca. AD 60) of unknown authorship. It summarized morality as a choice between the path of life and the path of death, liturgical practice, and disciplinary norms.

prefigure (type)

An event or person in Scripture that points forward to a later even or person.

sacramental character (seal)

An indelibe mark imprinted on the soul by the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders that gives the Christian a greater share in the priesthood of Christ.

enlightenment

Another name for the Sacrament of Baptism. Those who receive catechetical instructionare enlightened in their understanding. The person baptized has been enlightened becoming a son or daughter of light.

matter of Baptism

As Baptism bestows supernatural grace and a cleansing from sin, it is only natural that the matter, or the material sign, used for this Sacrament is water.

four periods of rcia

Period of Inquiry, The Catechumenate, Period of Purification and Enlightenment, and the Celebration of the Sacraments and Post-Baptismal Catechesis

meaning of the word "Baptism"

The Sacrament of Baptism receives its name from the Greek verb baptizein which means "to plunge," to "to immerse," or "to dip".

nave

The area where the congregation sits.

concupiscence

The disoredered human appetites or desires which remain even after Baptism due to the temporal consequences of Original Sin and which constitute and inclination to sin. This is often used to refer to desires resulting from strong sensual urges or attachment to things of the world

Baptism

The first of the Seven Sacraments that gives access to the other sacrametns; first and chief Sacrament of Forgiveness of Sins because the baptized Christian recieves the remission of both personal and Original Sin. It incorporates him or her into the Church, the body of Christ (cf. CCC 977, 1213)

Easter Vigil

The great celebration that takes place after sundown on Holy Saturday before Easter Sunday. In this Mass, the wonders of our salvation are celebrated. Those wishing to become Christians through Baptism as well as those already baptized who desire full communion with the Catholic Church are welcomed into God's family.

catechumenate

The instruction and formation of catechumens, those being prepared for Baptism. This also refers to the catechumens collectively and their position with respect to the Church.

requirement for adult baptism

This must be the persons first baptism. They have to have the right minister with right intention, form, and matter.

munus triplex

Three fold ministry of Christ's ministry of priest, prophet, and king.

actual sin

a thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to God's eternal law. it is a human act that presumes (a) knowledge of wrongdoing, (b) awareness of malice in one's conduct, and (c) consent of the will. it damages a person's relationship with God.