Baptism

Baptism is the first of the sacraments to be received and is the start of a journey to full membership of the Church. Catholics are usually baptised as infants. Their parents make a decision to bring them up as part of the Church community of believers. The godparents represent the community and represent the help that the Church provides the parents in bringing up their child.

Baptism can be a special ceremony in itself or sometimes takes place as part of a Mass. The ceremony is usually led by a priest, but Deacons can also baptise. In an emergency, for example after the birth of a very sick child, anyone can perform a Baptism. The ceremony is full of signs and symbols that help all those present understand what is involved in becoming a Catholic.

The Welcome

The parents, the godparents and the child are welcomed at the entrance of the church. The welcome is symbolic of being welcomed into the community of believers, the Church. As the child grows they will not be alone but can rely on the help and prayers of others.

At the baptismal font the parents are asked if they are prepared to bring their child up as a Christian. The godparents are representatives of the community and close to the family. They are asked if they will help the parents to bring the child up as part of the Church.

The child is called by their Christian name and welcomed into the Church. The priest, parents, godparents and others at the font trace the sign of the cross on the child's forehead. This is the sign of Christ and shows that the child now belongs to God.

The Name

It is common for the child to be given the name of a saint to represent the dignity and responsibility of being a Christian. This was more common in the past and now any name that is dignified and shows that the child is a unique child of God is acceptable.

This personal, individual name shows that the person is loved by God as a unique person. As the child grows as a member of the Church they should try to develop a personal relationship with God.

The Liturgy of the Word

This is a reading of a selection of bible passages and prayers for the child and parents. As the child grows they will be expected to grow in responsibility and to take guidance from the scriptures. A Christian has to try and live by gospel values of justice and hope.

The Protection from Evil and Oil of Catechumens

The gospels have accounts of Jesus driving out evil spirits to help others. The baptismal protection from evil is also known as the exorcism or freedom from Original Sin.

Another way of looking at this part of the ceremony is to see that the child is part of creation that was perfect but now is not so because of sin and suffering. The protection from evil represents a desire to keep the child free from the negative influences of this world. Of course as the child later becomes more responsible for its actions it can choose to do wrong of its own free will.

The oil of catechumens represents strength and preparation. The child is anointed on the chest to prepare it for the tough times that as a Christian, or in fact any human person, it will face. Being a member of the Church can sometimes be very challenging and Christians need God to steady them and to help them make the right choices.

The Baptismal Promises

These are promises made on behalf of the child by the parents. When the child has grown to adulthood it can choose to renew these promises for itself. The parents promise four things:

• to reject evil
• to believe in God the Son, Jesus
• to believe in God the Father
• to believe in God the Holy Spirit

These four promises are the core of what Christians believe and are also found in the Apostles Creed. The parents take on the responsibility to help their child understand and live out these promises. Later, when the child is grown into a responsible person, they can choose to retake these promises during their confirmation.

The Pouring of Water

The child has water poured three times over its forehead while the priest says three times, "(NAME), I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Water washes away the Original Sin and allows the child to share in a new life. Water is a symbol of death and of life: Death to sin and new life in Christ. As the child grows it will inevitably make mistakes but it should remember that it is able to stop sinning and to start again to do what is right.

Anointing with the Oil of Chrism

This is the second oil used during baptism. Chrism is a perfumed oil that represents being chosen for a special task. If the child later chooses to be confirmed then this oil will be used again.

In the Old Testament priests, prophets and kings were anointed, these were people chosen for a special task. Jesus was the Messiah and is called Christ, both these titles mean 'The anointed one' and show that Jesus had a special mission to save us.

Christians have a mission to bring about the Kingdom of God. It is impossible to define exactly what this means but each person is called to make their own contribution.

The White Shawl

The first Christians traditionally wore white after Baptism, and Jesus at his Transfiguration appeared as shining white. The White shawl represents purity and being washed clean of all sin. It is sometimes referred to as being 'clothed with Christ', wrapping Jesus around us to guard and guide us.

The Candle

The parents are given the candle on behalf of their child. The parents light the candle from the large Easter candle. The Easter candle represents the resurrected life of Christ and by lighting their child's candle from this they are showing that they will guide their child to share in the life of the resurrection. The parents keep the candle safe and look after it for the child as a sign that they will be responsible for making sure that the child learns about their faith. They will take charge of their child's Christianity until it is old enough to be more independent As the child grows it should come to understand that Christians are meant to be lights for the world and to improve the lives of all those that they meet. The light of Christ is understood by the light of his followers.

The Blessing of ears and lips

The priest blesses the ears and lips of the child as a sign that they should be open to listening to and speaking the Gospel. This is called the 'ephphatha' blessing from the Aramaic word that Jesus once used when he healed a deaf and dumb man. (Mk.7:34)

The Blessing for the Mother and Father

The role of parents is extremely important. Parents are not seen as owners of their child but as custodians whose role is to bring their child to happiness. The blessings recognise that the child is a gift from God and that the parents are the most important teachers.

Effects of Baptism

Because Catholics are usually baptised as infants it may seem strange to talk about the effects of baptism. The baby is not aware that they have been baptised and they are also not in control of their own behaviour. As the child grows older they start to understand that they are part of a community and they learn that Jesus is their friend and can help them. The next step for the child is to receive their First Holy Communion (Eucharist) and by the time they choose to be Confirmed the young adult should realise that they have been on a journey of membership with baptism as the first stage. The three Sacraments of Initiation don't complete the journey, they are the starting point for a life of Christian service and discipleship.

But the effects of baptism are not only seen in changes of behaviour and attitude later in life. The Church believes that at baptism the Holy Spirit is present and that through baptism the child is joined with their family to the Church. For Christians, baptism is an important part of receiving God's healing and peace.