"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Then heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and lighting on him. Then a voice said from heaven, 'This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased.'"

~ Matthew 3:16-17

Symbols of Baptism

Baptism is performed in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water:

"I baptize you in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

• Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith needs the community of believers. It is only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe. The faith required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called to develop. The catechumen or the godparent is asked: "What do you ask of God's Church?" The response is: Faith.
  
  
• The sign of the cross, on the threshold of the celebration, marks with the imprint of Christ the one who is going to belong to him and signifies the grace of the redemption Christ won for us by his cross. Since Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil, one or more exorcisms are pronounced over the candidate. The celebrant then anoints him with the oil of catechumens, or lays his hands on him, and he explicitly renounces Satan. Thus prepared, he is able to confess the faith of the Church, to which he will be entrusted by Baptism.

• The baptismal water is consecrated by a prayer of epiclesis (either at this moment or at the Easter Vigil). The Church asks God that through his Son the power of the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the water, so that those who will be baptized in it may be "born of water and the Spirit." It signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity through configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ. The use of water as a purifying substance is universal. Water is also symbolic of the oceanic beginnings of life, and human life which emerges from the amniotic waters of the womb.
  
  
• The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil (olive oil mixed and perfumed with other precious oils) consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet and king.
  
  
• The white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has "put on Christ," has risen with Christ.
  
  
• The candle, lit from the Easter candle signifies that Christ has enlightened the neophyte. In him the baptized are "the light of the world."
  
  
• The solemn blessing concludes the celebration of Baptism. At the Baptism of newborns the blessing of the mother occupies a special place.

From: Catechism of the Catholic Church for the United States of America © 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc. and Inside Catholicism: Rituals and Symbols Revealed, by Richard P. McBrien, 1995

Sponsors Are Spiritual Role Models

We all have people we admire from childhood heroes to adult role models. We see certain qualities or accomplishments in others and in some way strive to imitate them. It might be the ability of a ballplayer or the skill of a doctor, or the knowledge and ease of a teacher, or the love and devotion of our parents. We see in others qualities and talents that make them great.

In the community of faith, we have role models. The most common are the saints - ordinary people who lived faith in extraordinary ways. There are priests and parishioners whose virtue and faith inspire others to greatness. Finally, there are sacramental sponsors in baptism and confirmation. They show us by word and example how to live and practice the faith we profess.

Choosing a sponsor is serious business. Sponsors are spiritual role models - future saint makers! We need to pick those who really believe, not simply because they are friends or relatives, but because they can show us or our children the way of Jesus. Good sponsors have the virtues and qualities that imitate the greatest of role models, Jesus himself. Who better to admire, to serve or to love?

©2005 Liturgical Publications Inc., used with permission

The RCIA Program and Children

If you have a child that wants to be baptized, or you would like more information regarding Baptism for your older children, please call the Parish Office (586) 268-2244. And - just in case you were wondering - older children are not baptized with the babies on Sunday mornings.

See Adult Baptisms & Confirmation (RCIA)