Baptism

Baptism

Baptism is the sacrament that all Christians share in common and the first of the seven sacraments that we share in as Catholics. “Baptism is the entrance to life in the Spirit, and the basis of the whole Christian way of life” (CCC,1213).

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Infant Baptism

Every child is a blessing and to be celebrated. Each person who joins our faith community is a great blessing for the whole community, and we celebrate the parents decision to be a Christian family. At the start of your child’s Baptism ceremony, you will hear the priest say “The Christian Community welcomes you with great joy.” This welcome is at the heart of Baptism.

We hope that the following information on Baptism will help you to feel involved, supported and welcome as you take this step as a family.

The Sacrament of Baptism

In the Sacraments we meet Jesus. Sacraments use familiar, everyday things, (like water, oil, bread, movement) to help us to recognise better the presence of Jesus. Each day we use words and signs to communicate with one another. God also communicates with us in the sacraments through words and signs. Baptism is a Sacrament. The signs used in Baptism are water, oil, white garment and light.

When someone is baptised, that person is joyfully made a child of God the Father, a brother or sister of Christ, and a member of the people of God, the Church.

The Celebration of Baptism

The Baptism ceremony is the start of our faith journey, and it emphasises this by having some physical movement in it. We normally start at the church door, walk to the top of the church together, later move to the Baptismal Font and then to the Altar. Here is a short outline of the full Baptismal ceremony:

Welcome

The priest, and any other parishioners like members of the parish Baptism team, greet the parents, godparents and friends who are waiting with the child, inside the door of the Church. The parents declare that they want Baptism for their child, they give the baby’s name and promise that they will bring the child up in the Catholic faith and be good and practising Catholics themselves. As a sign that we now place this child under Gods protection, the priest then signs the baby’s forehead with the sign of the cross and invites the parents and godparents to do the same.

Word

Those taking part in the ceremony now move to the front of the Church, sit down and prepare to hear Gods word in Scripture. Parents and God parents generally sit together at the front of the group, so they can easily step out of their seats later on when required.

God always has something to say to us in all circumstances. We are now invited to listen to the chosen readings from Scripture and the special prayers offered here, in order to hear and be nourished by Gods Word. The saints are also asked to help and guide us. (Ministers of the Word and/or family members may read the scriptures and prayers). While you may prefer your priest to choose the scripture – this link offers some choices of readings for your child’s Baptism.

The priest anoints the child on the chest with the Oil of Baptism, as a sign that he/she is being set aside for a special friendship with Jesus. (Please have the top buttons undone to make it easier to anoint the child).When an adult prepares for Baptism, they receive the Oil of Catechumens at the start of their preparation. Infants receive this blessed oil during the ceremony as a reminder that they are entering into a learning, loving friendship with Jesus.

Water

After the water is blessed, parents, godparents and all Christians present are asked to renew their Baptismal vows. These vows are a public statement of what we believe and commit to passing on. We don't say 'I do' just because someone asks us to - we say 'I do' when we mean it.

Then the parents and godparents are invited to come around the Baptismal Font. This is the central point - the actual Baptism of your child. The priest pours blessed water on the child’s head, saying: “I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

The newly baptised child is now anointed on the forehead with the Oil of Chrism.

Godparents assist in wrapping the child in a white Baptismal shawl, as a sign of the new life the child has received. The child’s baptismal candle is lit from the large Easter Candle. This is handed to the parents and godparents with the words: “Receive the light of Christ.” This candle may be lit on the anniversary of Baptism, for first Holy Communion, Confirmation celebrations etc.

The priest touches the child’s ears and mouth and prays that the child may soon hear God’s Word and praise God in prayer.

Altar

In the final part of the ceremony, the family is invited to bring the baby, who has joined the Christian family to the altar. The community gathered prays the great prayer of the Christian community, the Our Father, recognising that this child is now a member of our faith family.

In this action there is a pointing forward to Confirmation, the Mass and First Holy Communion. To share in the Mass is the privilege of the baptised. These Sacraments will complete the child’s entry into the Christian believing community.
Finally, special blessings for the baby, the parents and for all present are said. Parents are reminded that they will be the first teachers of their child in the ways of faith.