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