This will tackle the baptism in the Catholic faith.

1. 1ST SACRAMENT OF THE CHURCH

2. 
A. Biblical/Historical
Foundations
OLD TESTAMENT
Sacred Scripture sees it as “overshadowed” by the Spirit
of God (Gen.1:2)

3. 
The Church has seen in Noah’s Ark a prefiguring of
salvation by Baptism (1 Pt. 3:20)
If water springing up from the earth symbolizes life,
the water of the sea is a symbol of death.

4. 
By this symbolism, Baptism signifies communication
with Christ’s death.
The crossing of the Red Sea announces the liberation
brought by Baptism.

5. 
NEW TESTAMENT
Baptism prefigured in the crossing of the Jordan River.
All the Old covenant prefigurations find their fulfillment in
Christ Jesus. He begins His public life after having baptized
by John the Baptist in the Jordan (Mt. 3:13).

6. 
The blood and water that flowed from the pierced side
of the crucified Jesus are types of Baptism and the
Eucharist, the sacrament of new life.
From then on it is possible “to be born of the water and
the Spirit” in order to enter the Kingdom of God (Jn.
19:34).

7. 
B. Church’s Renewed
Understanding on
Baptism

8. 
Baptism truly means:
1. New life in Christ
2. Incorporation into the Christian community
3. Sacrament of faith
B.1
B.2 New Life in Union with Christ
Unite the baptized with Christ through:
• the symbol of water and God’s Spirit
• sharing in Christ’s “baptism “ in His paschal Mystery

9. B.3 Original Sin and Baptism
 Original sin in the context of Baptism refers not to the
personal, originating sin of first humans, but to the sinful
state resulting from that first sin.
 Washing with water- symbolizes a cleansing from all sin
and rebirth to new life in the Spirit.

10. 
Incorporation into the ChurchB.4
 Baptism’s second effect is to unite us with others as members
of Christ’s Body, the Church (CCC, 1267-70). “Just as a
human body is one though it has many parts, and all the
parts of the body, though many, is one body, so also Christ.
Our personal relationship with Christ is never any “private
affair” we have created by ourselves, but always a loving
friendship that originates, develops and grows in union with
fellow members of Christ’s Body, the Church.

11. The church refers to the baptized person forming the
Christian community.
B.5 Sharing in Christ’s Mission
 Baptism confers a sharing in Christ’s very mission (CCC 1270).
Particularly in his threefold office as prophet, priest and king.
 Thus the baptized are called to exercise their sharing in Christ’s
priesthood (offer spiritual sacrifices) bear witness to Christ
(proclaim, give answer) who is their light.
The baptized are called to live prophetically as Christ lived, to
witness as He did, to the luminous coming together of Gospel
and Life.

12. Baptism on InfantsB.6
 The parents and the godparents,
who moreover have a serious
obligation to see that the baptized
children , are formed in faith by
Catholic upbringing as they grow
and mature.

13.  Infant baptism highlights the fact
that baptism is above all free gift of
God’s grace, not something
merited.

14.  The origin and growth of the
personal life of every child begins
immediately upon birth, so
likewise does the Christian life of
faith in Christ.

15. Infant baptism simply shows God’s
initiative in loving the child: the
first step, “wholly directed toward
acquiring the fullness of life in Christ.”

16. 
B.7 Duties and Responsibilities of Godparents
1. Godparents should be sufficiently
mature persons (ordinarily at least
16 yrs. old), good living Catholics
who, themselves, have been initiated
in three sacraments.

17. 2. Capable and truly intend to help
the newly baptized/confirmed to
faithfully live up to all the duties
inherent in Christian life.

18. 3. Godparents are the second
parents and their duties and
responsibilities do not begin and
end on the baptismal day- revived
during Christmas season, birthdays
and graduation days.

19. 4. Sponsors may be able to extend
some necessary and solicited
assistance.

20. 5. Their duties encompass all aspects,
namely, spiritual, moral,
psychological and social.

21. 
Adult BaptismB.8
The baptism ceremony for adults is similar to
baptism of children except that you make the
baptismal promises yourself. Instead of
godparents adults have sponsors whose role is to
encourage you in the Catholic faith.

22. SOME RULES FOR ADMINISTERING BAPTISM OF ADULTS:
1. An adult should not be baptized without his knowledge and
consent, and then only after being duly instructed. Moreover, he must
have true compunction for his sins.
2. The priest who is to baptize adults, as well as the candidates
themselves, if in good health, ought properly to be fasting. Unless
prevented by grave reasons, immediately following baptism an adult
should assist at Mass and receive holy communion.
3. The priest should inform himself of the candidate's status, particularly
when dealing with strangers. In these cases let him make careful inquiry
as to whether they were ever baptized elsewhere and whether it was
done properly.

23. 
C. Symbols,
Meanings, Ministers
and Recipient

24. The matter is WATER, which should be true water, for the sake
of the authentic sacramental symbolism.
WATER - should be clean, for reasons of health.
The use of plastic containers and bottles should
be avoided.
- is a natural symbol.

25. WATER symbolizes many things.
1. It cleanses, a sign that they want to be clean spiritually and
physically, it refreshes.
2. Bathing enables people to experience a regeneration of
energy.
3. It gives life.

26. The form is: “I baptized you in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Note: NO Amen.
In emergency baptism, the form is said while water is poured
three times.

27. The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the Bishop, and Priest
and, in the Latin church, also the Deacon.
In case of emergency, any person, even someone not
baptized, can baptize, if he has the required
intention. The intention required is the will to do
what the Church does when she baptizes, and to
apply the Trinitarian baptismal formula. The church
finds the reason for this possibility in the universal
saving will of God and the necessity of baptism for
salvation.

28. Every unbaptized is a candidate for baptism. The parents of
infants must vouch for the Catholic upbringing of their
children.
Other symbols used in the sacramental celebration of baptism:
1. Anointing- the anointing with chrism after Baptism is a
sign of the royal priesthood of the baptized and their
enrolment into the company of the People of God.
2. White Garment- is a symbol of their new dignity.
3. Lighted Candle- it shows their vocation to live as befits
children of light.

29. 
The Rite of Baptism
1. Reception of the Children
2. Liturgy of the Word
3. Prayer of Exorcism
4. Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith

30. 5. The Celebration of Baptism

31. 6. Anointing with the Sacred Chrism

32. 7. Clothing with White Garment

33. 8. Lighting of Candle

34. 9. Our Father – Final Blessing