Chapter 1: Baptism
In what ways is a baptized person expected to act differently?
A baptized person should model his behavior on Christ's sacrificial love for us.
What is the importance of a Christian name?
A child is given a saint's name to remind him or her that he or she is a member of the Communion of Saints and to inspire the child to emulate their chosen saint's model of Christian living.
What is meant by baptism of blood and baptism of desire?
A person who is martyred for the Faith before having received the sacramental baptism is considered to have received the graces of Baptism by his or her shedding of blood. A person of faith who dies before actually receiving Baptism is considered to have received baptism of desire.
Why does infant baptism require a post-baptismal catechumenate?
A post-baptismal catechumenate is necessary because the child needs to learn the content of the Faith and how to live it.
What are two differences between a Baptism in the Latin Rite and in the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church?
One difference is that, in the Latin Rite, parents may choose between Baptism by immersion or by affusion, but the Eastern tradition always performs Baptism by triple immersion, except in the case of an emergency. Another difference is that, in the Easter Rite, the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist are given to the infant immediately following Baptism, while in the Western tradition, this only occurs in the Baptism of adults, since First Communion and Confirmation are deferred until children have received instruction in the Faith and have attained the age of reason.
What is the role of godparents in a Christian Baptism?
The role of a godparent is to help the baptized child lead a Christian life, supplementing or even taking the place of the parents when necessary.
What must the parents agree to before their child can be baptized? Why?
The parents must agree to accept the responsibility of training the child in the practice of the Faith, as well as to teach the child to keep God's commandments of loving God and neighbor as Christ taught. It would be an injustice to the child to give him the obligations of living a Christian life without supporting him with the means of living it.
What is the obligation undertaken by the parents of a baptized child?
The parents of a baptized child have to undertake the role of living an exemplary life of Christian virtue. They must also train the child in the Faith and teach the Commandments by leading by example.
What does it mean that Baptism is a Sacrament of Faith?
Baptism is a sacrament of Faith because the one receiving Baptism must have an active faith in God as revealed by Jesus Christ and have the intention, at least implicitly, of receiving the benefits and graces promised in the sacrament.
Describe the process involved for an adult who wishes to be baptized.
In order to be baptized, adults go through the catechumenate, a period of prayer, reflection, and instruction in the Catholic Faith, which is aimed at bringing the conversion and faith of the candidates to maturity. This process includes a period of enquiry; the catechumenate itself, during which the candidates learn and live the Faith; a (usually) Forty-day Period of Purification and Enlightenment when the catechumens intensify their spiritual preparation for entry into the Church; the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation, usually at the Easter Vigil Mass; and finally a post-baptismal catechesis.
Who can baptize in the case of an emergency?
In the case of an emergency, any person may baptize, even a non-baptized person, as long as he or she uses the correct matter and form and intends to accomplish what the church intends by baptism.
Why should infants be baptized? When did the practice of infant baptism begin?
Infants should be baptized because they need the priceless gift of baptism, the cleaning of original sin, and the entrance into the church. This is important because many people think that they should be baptized once they are aware of what is happening, not as a child.
Why would it be wrong for Christian parents to simply let their child make up their own mind? Compare this to other important decisions in a child's life.
Parents usually try to do what is best for their children, which includes choices in many areas of their children's lives such as nutrition, education, and medical care. No loving parent would consider deferring these important decisions until their child is old enough to make up his or her own mind. The same love and duty motivates parents to have their children baptized as they understand that baptism is best for their children's souls. Their children will one day be able to make their own decisions on various issues, including religion, but if they choose not to baptize their children, they are not enabling their children to make good choices in the future, but rather, in a certain sense, are making the choice—not to have faith—for them.
What is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)?
RCIA is the process by which adults enter the Catholic Church today. It is a modernization of the catechumenate of the early Church.
How is Baptism still a Sacrament of Faith in the case of infants?
Since infants aren't capable of explicitly expressing their faith or of requesting Baptism, the Profession of Faith is made by the parents and godparents in their name.
a Jesuit who traveled around baptizing thousands of people; thought baptism was essential
St. Francis Zavier
wrote about how Christians were baptizing infants
St. Hippolytes of Rome
What are the matter, form, and minister of Baptism?
The matter of baptism is water. It may be poured over the person or the person may be immersed in it. The form of in the Latin rite is comprised of the words, "(name), I baptize you in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit." The ordinary minister of baptism is a bishop, priest, or deacon.
Is it possible for non-Christians to receive eternal salvation? Explain.
Yes. The Church recognizes that God may generously dispense his salvific grace to those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ Jesus: "Every man who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and his Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity."
