Baptism
History and Theology
In essence, the sacrament of baptism is the sacrament by which one becomes a Christian. The origin of the word is from the Greek "baptein," to dip, or immerse.
According to Saint Paul, baptism comprises three elements: baptism establishes a vital union with Christ in the saving events of His life, His death and His resurrection; baptism involves the reception of the Holy Spirit; baptism establishes the body of Christ, the assembly of the Christians.
The New Testament does not provide a precise ritual for the celebration of baptism. The only constant element is water (e.g., Acts 8:36-38).
The Christians gradually developed their baptismal rituals. At the end of the first century, baptism was performed in "living water," (i.e. streams or rivers). The preferred manner of baptizing was through immersion, although pouring was also accepted.
By the late third and early fourth centuries, the ritual for baptizing was very much established. The great baptisteries of Northern Africa and Southern Europe are testimonies to the importance both of the rite and the sacrament in the life of the Church. The ritual involved immersion in lots of water and anointing with oil.
The sixth and seventh centuries brought the decline in the ritual as it gradually became privatized and minimized. The baptism of children became the norm and the amount of water that was reduced to a minimum.
The second Vatican Council returned to the great baptismal period of the Church (third-fourth centuries) and reintroduced the traditional ritual for baptism with immersion. In addition, baptism of adults again became the norm after which infant baptism was modeled.
Preparing for Baptism
Since the earliest of times baptism has been administered to both children and adults, for it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized in the faith of the Church. Entry into Christian life gives access to true freedom. — Catechism of the Catholic Church #1282
We want to welcome parents - whether birth parents, or adoptive parents, whether couples or a single parent, whether their child is an infant or is already exploring their new world, whether as parents their faith is strong or they are just beginning to make it their own, whether they as a family share the same religious background or they come from very different religious traditions.
We also want to welcome those adults who have not been baptized and are seeking God through faith in Jesus Christ, and want to explore more fully the possibility of being baptized as Christians in the Catholic Church.
Baptism for children takes place at the weekend liturgies several times during the year. We offer a preparation session for parents and godparents to help to explore their own faith and the commitment they are undertaking.
Baptism for adults normally takes place at Easter, and we offer a period of prayer, reflection and learning, called the Rite of Christian Initiation for adults (or RCIA) for those who would like to explore the possibility of baptism.
To learn more about either, you can call the parish office at 456-6394.