THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
“If any man receive not Baptism, he hath not salvation; except
Martyrs, who even without the water receive the Kingdom. For when
the Savior, in redeeming the world by his Cross, was pierced in the
side, he shed forth blood and water; that men, living in times of
peace, might be baptized in water, and, in times of persecution, in
their own blood.” ~~St. Cyril of Jerusalem
DEFINITION OF A SACRAMENT
An outward sign, established and
given to us by Christ,
to give us sanctifying Grace.
An outward sign of inward
reality!
SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION
There are three (3) sacraments one
must receive in order to become a full
member of the Church:• Baptism• Eucharist• Confirmation
SACRAMENTS OF SERVICE
• The two sacraments that help
member s of the Church become holy
through service are:
• Matrimony• Holy Orders
SACRAMENTS OF HEALING
The other four (4) sacraments help
members of the Church to be holy/acquire
grace through other ways:
The Sacraments of Healing are:
• Reconciliation• Anointing of the Sick
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Baptism is the sacrament that makes us Christians,
that is, sons/daughters of God, brothers and sisters
in Jesus Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit.
We become members of the Church—the body of
Christ—”living stones”
Water
Blessed
Poured over the head
of the person asking for
Baptism
Must be poured while
saying the words of
consecration
The words spoken by the
priest or deacon
“I now Baptize you in the
name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Must be said while the
water is poured—3 times!
WHAT IS THE MAT TER AND FORM OF BAPTISM?
Matter Form
WHO IS THE MINISTER OF BAPTISM?
The priest—who is the representative for Christ—is
the ordinary minister of this Sacrament
A deacon is allowed to Baptize
A lay person may baptize in an emergency—if
death is imminent, and he has the intention of doing
what the Church does.
The possibility of salvation for
those who have never been
Baptized
Given to those who have died
defending the Church and the
teachings of Jesus Christ
Inspired by the heroic
sacrifice of Christians
Given to those who are sorry
for their sins
Who wish to cooperate with
God’s Grace
May not have heard the
“Good News”
May die while in the process
of preparing for Baptism
WHAT ARE THE OTHER TWO FORMS OF BAPTISM?
Baptism by Blood Baptism by Desire
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF BAPTISM?
To signify the person is
consecrated to the Holy
Trinity
To wash away original sin
To fill the soul with
Sanctifying Grace (God’s
life!)
To infuse the soul with the
theological virtues of Faith
(belief), Hope (trust in God),
and Charity (love of God and
neighbor)
Transforms the person
into a child of God,
brother/sister of Jesus
Christ, and temple of the
Holy Spirit
Leaves an indelible mark
upon the soul
Gives us the right to
receive the other
sacraments—it is the
“door” to all other
sacraments.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF BAPTISM
Live a sacramental life (attend mass, receive the sacrament of penance and the Eucharist at Eastertime, get married in the Church…)Obey the Church’s teaching (find out the teachings, accept them, act upon them)Read Scripture: our family’s history, God’s word to usAttend mass on Sundays and Holy DaysLead a life of prayerStay in a state of Grace: live the moral life, sacramental life, perform works of mercy
SIGNS AND SYMB OLS OF BAPTISM
Water: Washing away of sins
Chrism Oil: signifies that the baptized shares in the triple office
of priest, prophet and king; the outward sign of the “indelible
mark”
White cloth: purity of soul after Baptism
Candle: Christ is the true LIGHT of the World—forever and ever!
(candle may have the symbol of the Alpha and Omega on it!)
Godparents: support the parents in raising the child in the
Faith
Exorcism: to destroy the power of Satan