The Sacrament Of Baptism

Picture credit @https://hrsrchurch.org/sacraments/infants/

What is Baptism?
Baptism is the first sacrament that a person receives in the life of faith. It washes away the stain of original sin as well as, in the case of somebody receiving Baptism later in life, any personal sins the person has committed. More than that, it gives the person new life—the life of God. This new life is the presence of God, who is life itself, within a person’s soul. We sometimes speak of this presence as “sanctifying grace” or as the “indwelling of the Holy Spirit.” This reality begins at Baptism and continues to be present from that moment forward in a person’s life.


Why does Baptism have to come first?
Every other sacrament depends on us being in a relationship of friendship with God. But friendship demands some sort of equality between persons. Obviously, there is no way in which we can put ourselves on level ground with God. But God has chosen to put Himself on level ground with us by taking on human nature in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. In Baptism, we are united with Jesus by God’s grace—sharing in the salvation He won by His death and Resurrection.

What are the symbols of Baptism and what do they mean?
Water: This is the primary symbol of Baptism and it is necessary for a valid baptism. Water represents life, cleansing, new birth—all of which are given to us spiritually in Baptism. But water also represents a forceful power which brings death. In the Red Sea, God gave the Israelites new life by leading them through water, but the same water rushed upon the Egyptians who pursued them. Spiritually, this represents the fact that the waters of Baptism give us a new life in God by first destroying in us the power of sin which we were previously enslaved to.

White Garment: The color white symbolizes purity. This represents the fact that Baptism washes away the stain of all sin in a person, making of them a new creation. Being clothed in it calls to mind that we are clothed with Christ in Baptism.

Baptismal Candle: This candle represents, the light of Christ: calling to mind the risen Christ Himself, who is the light of the world, but also calling to mind the faith which He offers us. It is lit from the Paschal Candle to represent the fact that this light is a gift which we receive from Christ as a gift and which needs to be carefully guarded against anything that threatens to extinguish it.

Oil of Catechumens: This oil represents the strength that God gives us to enter the spiritual combat of life. Athletes and gladiators would anoint themselves with oil before the contest: this rite draws on that imagery.

Sacred Chrism: Before Christ, priests, prophets, and kings were consecrated with this kind of perfumed oil. In the New Testament, Jesus perfectly fulfills all of these roles in His Person. Our anointing with chrism calls to mind that, being united to Christ in Baptism, we are consecrated in these roles.

Write up accredited to “The Sacrament of Baptism: A Guide for Parents by Saint Ignatius Catholic Church”