Sacraments of Initiation Baptism

Introduction to Baptism Basis of the entire Christian life. Become members of Christ and the Church Become sharers of the mission to bring the “Good News” to the world Comes from Baptizein “to plunge” Plunge to death to rise in new life Bath of enlightenment Receive the true light Enlightened by the light of Christ

The Waters of Life The Roots of Baptism begin in the Old Testament (Old covenant): Creation The Great Flood The Exodus (Red Sea Event) Waters of the Jordan

Creation Water has been the source of life

The Great Flood Land symbolizes the Promised Land Water can be deadly The ark offers Noah the opportunity to be saved

The Red Sea Exodus Event From death to life As they cross through the waters of the Red Sea they are brought to a new life of freedom

The Waters of the Jordan 1. Solidarity with us 2. Spirit prefigures the presence of the Spirit at our Baptism 3. God acclaimed His Son as He acclaims us as adopted sons and daughters From death in the Desert to the “milk and honey” of the Promised land

“Not to Abolish but to Fulfill” Holy Spirit hovers over Jesus at His Baptism At the Last Supper Jesus celebrated the Passover He spoke of His passion as a Baptism At the Resurrection He passed from death to Life To Nicodemus He said “No one can enter heaven without being born of water and Spirit” Jesus commissioned His apostles to go and “Baptize all nations”

Symbols and Ritual Water Land Dove Liminal action (All sacraments) Death Life Cleansing and renewal Land Promised land Israel Heaven Dove Holy Spirit with Jesus at His Baptism- with us at ours Liminal action (All sacraments) Transitional state – from death to life Right of passage

Christian Initiation in the Early Centuries A catechumen was a person who inquired about the Christian faith and then chose to prepare for initiation into the Church. During this time the catechumen was supported by the liturgy and the personal involvement of the community and was offered catechesis. this process would take about three years. Then would receive the Sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil Mass.

Ritual Stripped of robes and immersed in the water three times, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Anointed with sacred chrism. Given a white garment Given a lit candle Join in the prayers of the faithful Sealed with Holy Spirit with sacred chrism by the Bishop Enter into the sanctuary for the celebration of the Eucharist

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults RCIA The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The process by which an unbaptized, person called a catechumen and those who were baptized in another Christian denomination, called “candidates for full communion”, are prepared to become full members of the Church Period of Inquiry Rite of Acceptance Period of Catechumenate Rite of Election Period of Purification & Enlightenment Celebration of the Sacraments Post Baptismal Catechesis or Mystogogy

Rite of Acceptance Preceded by the period of inquiry Evangelization and pre-catechumenate Listens to the “Good News” Learns about the Catholic Faith Discerns the call to live the gospel life as a Catholic Sponsors Rite: Declares intentions to follow Christ and accepted as a catechumen questions What is your name? What do you ask of God’s Church? What does faith offer you? Inquirer and assembly answer- Are you ready? Signed on forehead by celebrant and sponsors, prayers recited over Stay at Mass until after the homily

Rite of Election Preceded by the “Period of Catechumenate” Catechesis Spiritual development Liturgy Apostolic witness Rite: First Sunday of Lent Presented after the homily Sponsors ask if the catechumen are ready Catechumen are asked if this is what they want Pronounced as members of the elect, called & chosen Prayers for the elect are included in the prayer of the faithful (intercessions) Elect are dismissed

Purification & Enlightenment Precedes the celebration of the Sacraments Participate in acts of penitence Deepening knowledge of Jesus Deepening relationship with Jesus Reflections on Baptism and its meaning Participation in the scrutinies Liturgical rites, 3rd, 4th, 5th Sundays of Lent Praying over elect by the assembly Laying on of hands for purification Handing on of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer

Celebration of the Sacraments Easter Vigil Mass Lighting of the Paschal Candle Reading of Salvation History Blessing of the Water Paschal candle is lowered into the water Baptismal promises Elect are Baptized Immersion in the water, “I baptize you in the name of…” White garment- new life Lighted candle- flame of faith New members are Confirmed New members receive the Eucharist

Post Baptismal Catechesis or Mystogogy Neophytes* continue their study of the faith, or catechesis Mystogogy: the period of catechesis following the reception of the sacraments of Christian initiation that aims to more fully initiate people into the mystery of Christ *beginners

Baptism for Children Sharing in grace is a gift from God that does not depend on our merits, therefore from the earliest times Baptism has been administered to children. Parents share their most precious possession, their faith, with their child Baptism must be affirmed throughout life, in our everyday choices.

Preparation Parents and godparents attend preparation meetings Present the child to the Church for baptism What name do you give? What do you ask of God’s Church? Sacrament is celebrated in the midst of the community Celebrated on Sunday New beginning “Let there be light” Child is received into the Church Parents are responsible for the faith of the child Godparents help the parents Child is received by the community

Rite of Baptism Essential elements Additional rituals and symbols Immersion or pouring of water with the words “I Baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen” Additional rituals and symbols Prayer of exorcism Blessing and invocation over the water Questions Creed Signing with the Cross Parents renew their baptismal vow Anointing with oil, chest & forehead Represents being chosen A symbol of healing Presentation of the candle You have been given the “light” of Christ White garment You have been “made new” Usual minister Bishop, Priest or deacon In an emergency anyone can Baptize

The Source of Christian Living Results or effects of Baptism Dying and rising with Christ Freedom from Original Sin, (and all other sin) Children of God Adopted sons and daughters, enabled to say “Our Father” Members of the Church No one journeys alone Empowered for Discipleship Priest, prophet and king Sacramental character of Baptism Visible sign of God’s love, chrism Souls are marked and sealed

Efficacious Signs Efficacious: capable of having the desired result or effect Baptism Begins new life Eucharist Nourishes the new Christian life through the transforming power of the Body & Blood of Christ Confirmation Strengthens the new life

Outline for study Scriptural accounts with symbolism of water Explain what they say about Baptism Sacrament Define in depth Initiation Early Church Today Adults RCIA Children As liminal actions Baptism Symbols and their meaning Effects Usual minister