1. Preparing for the Sacrament ofPreparing for the Sacrament of
BaptismBaptism
St. Ignatius of Loyola ParishSt. Ignatius of Loyola Parish
Somersworth, NHSomersworth, NH
2. The Glory of BaptismThe Glory of Baptism
““Praised be the God and Father ofPraised be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, he who in hisour Lord Jesus Christ, he who in his
great mercy gave us new birth; agreat mercy gave us new birth; a
birth unto hope which draws its lifebirth unto hope which draws its life
from the resurrection of Jesus Christfrom the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead; a birth to anfrom the dead; a birth to an
imperishable inheritance, incapableimperishable inheritance, incapable
of fading or defilement, which is keptof fading or defilement, which is kept
in heaven for you who are guardedin heaven for you who are guarded
with God’s power through faith; awith God’s power through faith; a
birth to a salvation which standsbirth to a salvation which stands
ready to be revealed in the lastready to be revealed in the last
days.”days.”
1 Peter: 3-5.1 Peter: 3-5.
3. What is Baptism?What is Baptism?
Baptism is a SacramentBaptism is a Sacrament
of Christian initiationof Christian initiation
– By which we receive theBy which we receive the
dignity of adoption asdignity of adoption as
children of God.children of God.
– By which we areBy which we are
incorporated into theincorporated into the
Body of Christ, theBody of Christ, the
Church.Church.
4. What is Baptism?What is Baptism?
Baptism is the SacramentBaptism is the Sacrament
of regeneration.of regeneration.
– By which we are freed fromBy which we are freed from
Original SinOriginal Sin
– By which we are born againBy which we are born again
of water and the Holy Spiritof water and the Holy Spirit
– By which we receive a newBy which we receive a new
and spiritual life in Christand spiritual life in Christ
5. What is Baptism?What is Baptism?
Baptism is the “door ofBaptism is the “door of
the Church.”the Church.”
– Through which we enterThrough which we enter
into life in the Spirit.into life in the Spirit.
– Through which we attainThrough which we attain
the right to receive thethe right to receive the
other Sacramentsother Sacraments
– Through which we enterThrough which we enter
into the universal Churchinto the universal Church
and the Communion ofand the Communion of
Saints.Saints.
6. What is Baptism?What is Baptism?
Baptism is theBaptism is the
Sacrament of FaithSacrament of Faith
– Baptism is offered to allBaptism is offered to all
who have faith in Jesus.who have faith in Jesus.
– Baptism is the beginningBaptism is the beginning
of a life of faith.of a life of faith.
– Baptism brings us into aBaptism brings us into a
community of faith.community of faith.
7. What is Baptism?What is Baptism?
Baptism is a Gift of SanctifyingBaptism is a Gift of Sanctifying
Grace.Grace.
– It is a divine gift because it isIt is a divine gift because it is
given to those who bring nothinggiven to those who bring nothing
of their own.of their own.
– It is grace because it is given outIt is grace because it is given out
of love even to the guilty.of love even to the guilty.
We receive this magnificent giftWe receive this magnificent gift
of graceof grace
– To believe in GodTo believe in God
– To hope in Him.To hope in Him.
– To love Him.To love Him.
8. What is a Sacrament?What is a Sacrament?
The Sacraments are efficaciousThe Sacraments are efficacious
signs of grace, instituted by Christsigns of grace, instituted by Christ
and entrusted to the Church, byand entrusted to the Church, by
which divine life is dispensed to us.which divine life is dispensed to us.
– The purpose of the sacraments is toThe purpose of the sacraments is to
sanctify men, to build up the Body ofsanctify men, to build up the Body of
Christ and, to give worship to God.Christ and, to give worship to God.
– They bear fruit in those who receiveThey bear fruit in those who receive
them with the required dispositions.them with the required dispositions.
– The visible rites by which theThe visible rites by which the
sacraments are celebrated signify andsacraments are celebrated signify and
make present the graces proper to eachmake present the graces proper to each
sacrament.sacrament.
9. Sacraments of InitiationSacraments of Initiation
Baptism, the Eucharist, andBaptism, the Eucharist, and
Confirmation together constituteConfirmation together constitute
the "sacraments of Christianthe "sacraments of Christian
initiation.“initiation.“
The Eucharist is "the source andThe Eucharist is "the source and
summit of the Christian life." Bysummit of the Christian life." By
means of the Eucharist, wemeans of the Eucharist, we
participate with the wholeparticipate with the whole
community in the Lord's owncommunity in the Lord's own
sacrifice.sacrifice.
Confirmation is necessary for theConfirmation is necessary for the
completion of baptismal grace.completion of baptismal grace.
10. The Sacrament of BaptismThe Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism is a bath of water inBaptism is a bath of water in
which the "imperishablewhich the "imperishable
seed" of the Word of Godseed" of the Word of God
produces its life-giving effectproduces its life-giving effect
Baptism signifies andBaptism signifies and
actually brings about theactually brings about the
birth of water and the Spiritbirth of water and the Spirit
without which no one "canwithout which no one "can
enter the kingdom of God.”enter the kingdom of God.”
11. Why is Baptism Necessary?Why is Baptism Necessary?
The Lord himself affirms thatThe Lord himself affirms that
Baptism is necessary forBaptism is necessary for
salvation.salvation.
– ““Amen, amen, I say to you, noAmen, amen, I say to you, no
one can enter the kingdom of Godone can enter the kingdom of God
without being born of water andwithout being born of water and
Spirit. What is born of flesh isSpirit. What is born of flesh is
flesh and what is born of spirit isflesh and what is born of spirit is
spirit. Do not be amazed that Ispirit. Do not be amazed that I
told you, 'You must be born fromtold you, 'You must be born from
above.‘”above.‘”
– John 3:5-7John 3:5-7
12. Why is Baptism Necessary?Why is Baptism Necessary?
Baptism is necessary forBaptism is necessary for
salvation for those to whomsalvation for those to whom
the Gospel has beenthe Gospel has been
proclaimed, and who haveproclaimed, and who have
had the possibility of askinghad the possibility of asking
for this sacrament.for this sacrament.
The Church does not knowThe Church does not know
of any means other thanof any means other than
Baptism that assures entryBaptism that assures entry
into eternal life.into eternal life.
13. Why is Baptism Necessary?Why is Baptism Necessary?
Jesus also commandedJesus also commanded
his disciples to baptize allhis disciples to baptize all
nationsnations
– Go, therefore, and makeGo, therefore, and make
disciples of all nations,disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the namebaptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of theof the Father, and of the
Son, and of the holy Spirit,Son, and of the holy Spirit,
teaching them to observeteaching them to observe
all that I have commandedall that I have commanded
you. And behold, I am withyou. And behold, I am with
you always, until the end ofyou always, until the end of
the age."the age."
– Matt. 28:19-20Matt. 28:19-20
14. What are theWhat are the EffectsEffects of Baptism?of Baptism?
The two principalThe two principal
effects of Baptismeffects of Baptism
are:are:
– purification from sinspurification from sins
– and new birth in theand new birth in the
Holy Spirit.Holy Spirit.
15. Forgiveness of SinsForgiveness of Sins
By BaptismBy Baptism allall sins aresins are
forgiven, original sin and allforgiven, original sin and all
personal sins, together with allpersonal sins, together with all
punishment due to them.punishment due to them.
– Peter said to them, "RepentPeter said to them, "Repent
and be baptized, every one ofand be baptized, every one of
you, in the name of Jesusyou, in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness ofChrist for the forgiveness of
your sins; and you will receiveyour sins; and you will receive
the gift of the holy Spirit. Forthe gift of the holy Spirit. For
the promise is made to youthe promise is made to you
and to your children and to alland to your children and to all
those far off, whomever thethose far off, whomever the
Lord our God will call."Lord our God will call."
– Acts 2:38-39Acts 2:38-39
16. Original SinOriginal Sin
God created man in his imageGod created man in his image
and established him in hisand established him in his
friendship. A spiritual creature,friendship. A spiritual creature,
man can live this friendship onlyman can live this friendship only
in free submission to Godin free submission to God
Man, tempted by the devil, let hisMan, tempted by the devil, let his
trust in his Creator die in his hearttrust in his Creator die in his heart
and, abusing his freedom,and, abusing his freedom,
disobeyed God's command. Thisdisobeyed God's command. This
was man’s first, or “original” sin.was man’s first, or “original” sin.
17. Original Sin & Original HolinessOriginal Sin & Original Holiness
When Adam and Eve sinnedWhen Adam and Eve sinned
in the Garden of Eden byin the Garden of Eden by
their disobedience, they losttheir disobedience, they lost
the sanctifying grace withthe sanctifying grace with
which they had been blessedwhich they had been blessed
when they were created.when they were created.
We inherit their fallen state,We inherit their fallen state,
and are born without thatand are born without that
sanctifying grace.sanctifying grace.
18. Sanctifying GraceSanctifying Grace
Born with a fallenBorn with a fallen
nature and tainted bynature and tainted by
original sin, childrenoriginal sin, children
also have need of thealso have need of the
new birth in Baptism.new birth in Baptism.
Baptism restores ourBaptism restores our
friendship with Godfriendship with God
by an infusion ofby an infusion of
sanctifying grace.sanctifying grace.
19. A New Birth in the SpiritA New Birth in the Spirit
Through the grace of BaptismThrough the grace of Baptism
we become “a new creature,”we become “a new creature,”
adopted sons and daughtersadopted sons and daughters
of God, who partake of theof God, who partake of the
divine naturedivine nature
We are incorporated intoWe are incorporated into
Christ’s Mystical Body.Christ’s Mystical Body.
We attain a share in theWe attain a share in the
common priesthood of allcommon priesthood of all
believers.believers.
We are called to profess ourWe are called to profess our
faith.faith.
20. Members of the ChurchMembers of the Church
Baptism makes usBaptism makes us
members of themembers of the
Church.Church.
We belong now toWe belong now to
Christ.Christ.
We are called to serveWe are called to serve
others.others.
We enjoy rights withinWe enjoy rights within
the Churchthe Church
21. Marked with the Sign of FaithMarked with the Sign of Faith
Baptism imprints on theBaptism imprints on the
soul an indelible spiritualsoul an indelible spiritual
sign which consecratessign which consecrates
the baptized person forthe baptized person for
Christian worship.Christian worship.
No sin can erase thisNo sin can erase this
mark.mark.
The seal of baptism isThe seal of baptism is
given once. Baptismgiven once. Baptism
cannot be repeated.cannot be repeated.
22. Dying and RisingDying and Rising
““You were buried withYou were buried with
him in baptism, inhim in baptism, in
which you were alsowhich you were also
raised with himraised with him
through faith in thethrough faith in the
power of God, whopower of God, who
raised him from theraised him from the
dead.”dead.”
– Colossians 2:12Colossians 2:12
23. Dying with HimDying with Him
““We imitate Christ’s death byWe imitate Christ’s death by
being buried with him inbeing buried with him in
baptism. We have to begin abaptism. We have to begin a
new life, and we cannot do sonew life, and we cannot do so
until our previous life hasuntil our previous life has
been brought to an end. Thebeen brought to an end. The
bodies of the baptized are inbodies of the baptized are in
a sense buried in the watera sense buried in the water
as a symbol of theiras a symbol of their
renunciation of the sins ofrenunciation of the sins of
their unregenerate nature.”their unregenerate nature.”
– St. Basil, “On the Holy Spirit”St. Basil, “On the Holy Spirit”
24. A Share in Christ’s ResurrectionA Share in Christ’s Resurrection
““We were indeedWe were indeed
buried with himburied with him
through baptism intothrough baptism into
death, so that, just asdeath, so that, just as
Christ was raisedChrist was raised
from the dead by thefrom the dead by the
glory of the Father,glory of the Father,
we too might live inwe too might live in
newness of life.”newness of life.”
– Romans 6:4Romans 6:4
25. A Sign of Christian UnityA Sign of Christian Unity
26. ParentsParents
Parents seek Baptism forParents seek Baptism for
their children, and speaktheir children, and speak
on their behalf at theon their behalf at the
Baptism.Baptism.
As parents, you promise inAs parents, you promise in
the name of your child tothe name of your child to
renounce sin and the devil,renounce sin and the devil,
and to live the faithand to live the faith
according to the teachingsaccording to the teachings
of Christ and His Church.of Christ and His Church.
27. ParentsParents
““Through the grace of the sacramentThrough the grace of the sacrament
of marriage, parents receive theof marriage, parents receive the
responsibility and privilege ofresponsibility and privilege of
evangelizing their childrenevangelizing their children..
Parents should initiate their childrenParents should initiate their children
at an early age into the mysteries ofat an early age into the mysteries of
the faith of which they are the "firstthe faith of which they are the "first
heralds" for their children. Theyheralds" for their children. They
should associate them from theirshould associate them from their
tenderest years with the life of thetenderest years with the life of the
Church.Church.
28. ParentsParents
Faith must growFaith must grow afterafter
Baptism. Within theBaptism. Within the
“domestic church” parents,“domestic church” parents,
“who have the first“who have the first
responsibility for theresponsibility for the
education of their children”education of their children”
have the duty to teach thehave the duty to teach the
Catholic faith and set anCatholic faith and set an
example of Christian living.example of Christian living.
29. SponsorsSponsors
The godfather andThe godfather and
godmother must be firmgodmother must be firm
believers able and readybelievers able and ready
to help the newlyto help the newly
baptized on the road ofbaptized on the road of
Christian life.Christian life.
Godparents bear theGodparents bear the
responsibility ofresponsibility of
safeguarding the gracesafeguarding the grace
given at Baptism.given at Baptism.
30. The Role of the GodparentThe Role of the Godparent
Along with the parents,Along with the parents,
godparents make thegodparents make the
Baptismal promises forBaptismal promises for
the child.the child.
Godparents assume theGodparents assume the
duty of teaching the childduty of teaching the child
the truths of the faiththe truths of the faith
when his or her parentswhen his or her parents
are unable to do so.are unable to do so.
Godparents are spiritualGodparents are spiritual
guides and role models.guides and role models.
31. Who May be a Sponsor?Who May be a Sponsor?
A Catholic person of at least sixteenA Catholic person of at least sixteen
years of age who has been confirmedyears of age who has been confirmed
and has received Holy Eucharist.and has received Holy Eucharist.
A Catholic who knows the faith and livesA Catholic who knows the faith and lives
a life of faith, and who does not labora life of faith, and who does not labor
under a canonical penalty, whetherunder a canonical penalty, whether
imposed or declared.imposed or declared.
One who is not either the father or theOne who is not either the father or the
mother of the person to be baptized.mother of the person to be baptized.
A baptized person who belongs to aA baptized person who belongs to a
non-catholic ecclesial community maynon-catholic ecclesial community may
be admitted only in company with abe admitted only in company with a
Catholic sponsor, and then simply as aCatholic sponsor, and then simply as a
witness to the baptism.witness to the baptism.
33. The Rite of BaptismThe Rite of Baptism
All Sacraments haveAll Sacraments have
a propera proper mattermatter and aand a
properproper form.form.
In Baptism, theIn Baptism, the mattermatter
is wateris water
In Baptism, theIn Baptism, the formform
is: “is: “I Baptize you inI Baptize you in
the name of thethe name of the
Father, and of theFather, and of the
Son, and of the HolySon, and of the Holy
SpiritSpirit.”.”
34. WaterWater
The Church asks GodThe Church asks God
that through his Sonthat through his Son
the power of the Holythe power of the Holy
Spirit may be sentSpirit may be sent
upon the water, soupon the water, so
that those who will bethat those who will be
baptized in it may bebaptized in it may be
“born of water and the“born of water and the
Spirit.”Spirit.”
35. Water of SalvationWater of Salvation
During the blessing ofDuring the blessing of
baptismal water at thebaptismal water at the
Easter Vigil, theEaster Vigil, the
Church solemnlyChurch solemnly
commemorates thecommemorates the
great events ingreat events in
salvation history thatsalvation history that
already prefigured thealready prefigured the
mystery of Baptism.mystery of Baptism.
37. What Name?What Name?
““What name do youWhat name do you
give your child?”give your child?”
““What do you ask ofWhat do you ask of
God’s Church?”God’s Church?”
38. Called by NameCalled by Name
Catholic children byCatholic children by
tradition are giventradition are given
the name of a saint.the name of a saint.
The saint whoseThe saint whose
name is taken atname is taken at
Baptism becomes aBaptism becomes a
heavenly patronheavenly patron
who exerciseswho exercises
special lifelong carespecial lifelong care
over the baptizedover the baptized
person.person.
39. Sign of the CrossSign of the Cross
The sign of the crossThe sign of the cross
marks with the imprintmarks with the imprint
of Christ the one whoof Christ the one who
is going to belong tois going to belong to
Him.Him.
This sign of our faithThis sign of our faith
signifies the grace ofsignifies the grace of
the redemption Christthe redemption Christ
won for us by Hiswon for us by His
cross.cross.
40. Gospel ProclamationGospel Proclamation
The proclamation ofThe proclamation of
the Word of Godthe Word of God
enlightens theenlightens the
candidates and thecandidates and the
assembly with theassembly with the
revealed truth andrevealed truth and
elicits the response ofelicits the response of
faith, which isfaith, which is
inseparable frominseparable from
Baptism.Baptism.
41. Intercessory PrayersIntercessory Prayers
We pray for the childWe pray for the child
about to be baptized,about to be baptized,
for his or her parentsfor his or her parents
and godparents, andand godparents, and
for all those in ourfor all those in our
families both presentfamilies both present
and absent.and absent.
42. Litany of the SaintsLitany of the Saints
We seek the prayersWe seek the prayers
and invoke theand invoke the
protection of the saintsprotection of the saints
for those about to befor those about to be
baptized.baptized.
The names of otherThe names of other
saints, including thesaints, including the
patron of the baptized,patron of the baptized,
and the patron of theand the patron of the
parish church, may beparish church, may be
included in the litany.included in the litany.
43. Prayer of ExorcismPrayer of Exorcism
Almighty and ever-living God, you sent your only SonAlmighty and ever-living God, you sent your only Son
into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit ofinto the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of
evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness, andevil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness, and
bring him into the splendor of your kingdom of light.bring him into the splendor of your kingdom of light.
We pray for this child:We pray for this child:
set him free from originalset him free from original
sin, make him a templesin, make him a temple
of your glory, and sendof your glory, and send
your Holy Spirit to dwellyour Holy Spirit to dwell
with him.”with him.”
44. Anointing with theAnointing with the
Oil of CatechumensOil of Catechumens
““We anoint you withWe anoint you with
the oil of salvation inthe oil of salvation in
the name of Christthe name of Christ
our Savior; may heour Savior; may he
strengthen you withstrengthen you with
his power, who liveshis power, who lives
and reigns for everand reigns for ever
and ever.”and ever.”
45. Blessing of the WaterBlessing of the Water
““Father, look now withFather, look now with
love upon yourlove upon your
Church, and unsealChurch, and unseal
for her the fountain offor her the fountain of
Baptism. By theBaptism. By the
power of the Spiritpower of the Spirit
give to the water ofgive to the water of
this font the grace ofthis font the grace of
your Son.”your Son.”
46. Profession of FaithProfession of Faith
Do you believe in God, the FatherDo you believe in God, the Father
almighty, creator of heaven andalmighty, creator of heaven and
earth?earth?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, hisDo you believe in Jesus Christ, his
only Son, our Lord, who was bornonly Son, our Lord, who was born
of the Virgin Mary, was crucified,of the Virgin Mary, was crucified,
died, and was buried, rose fromdied, and was buried, rose from
the dead, and is now seated at thethe dead, and is now seated at the
right hand of the Father?right hand of the Father?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church, thethe holy catholic Church, the
communion of saints, thecommunion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, theforgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and liferesurrection of the body, and life
everlasting?everlasting?
47. BaptismBaptism
““I baptize you in theI baptize you in the
name of the Father,name of the Father,
and of the Son, and ofand of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit”the Holy Spirit”
48. The Chrism of SalvationThe Chrism of Salvation
““As Christ wasAs Christ was
anointed Priest,anointed Priest,
Prophet, andProphet, and
King, so may youKing, so may you
live always as alive always as a
member of hismember of his
body, sharingbody, sharing
everlasting life.”everlasting life.”
49. New Creatures:New Creatures:
They Have Put on Christ.They Have Put on Christ.
““Here are theHere are the
beginnings ofbeginnings of
creatures newlycreatures newly
formed: childrenformed: children
born from the life-born from the life-
giving font of holygiving font of holy
Church, bornChurch, born
anew with theanew with the
simplicity of littlesimplicity of little
ones.”ones.”
--Ancient Easter--Ancient Easter
HomilyHomily
50. The Anointed Ones:The Anointed Ones:
Adopted Children of GodAdopted Children of God
““We became “theWe became “the
anointed ones” whenanointed ones” when
we received the signwe received the sign
of the Holy Spirit. . . .of the Holy Spirit. . . .
After coming up fromAfter coming up from
the sacred waters ofthe sacred waters of
baptism, we werebaptism, we were
anointed with chrism,anointed with chrism,
which signifies thewhich signifies the
Holy Spirit, by whomHoly Spirit, by whom
Christ was anointed.”Christ was anointed.”
– JerusalemJerusalem
Catecheses.Catecheses.
51. Receive the Light of ChristReceive the Light of Christ
You are the light of theYou are the light of the
world. A city set on aworld. A city set on a
mountain cannot be hidden.mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lampNor do they light a lamp
and then put it under aand then put it under a
bushel basket; it is set on abushel basket; it is set on a
lampstand, where it giveslampstand, where it gives
light to all in the house.light to all in the house.
Just so, your light mustJust so, your light must
shine before others, thatshine before others, that
they may see your goodthey may see your good
deeds and glorify yourdeeds and glorify your
heavenly Father.”heavenly Father.”
– Matthew 5:14-16.Matthew 5:14-16.
52. Ephephetha “Be Opened”Ephephetha “Be Opened”
By the power of itsBy the power of its
symbolism thesymbolism the
ephphethaephphetha rite, or riterite, or rite
of opening the earsof opening the ears
and mouth, impressand mouth, impress
on all Christians theiron all Christians their
need of grace in orderneed of grace in order
that they may hearthat they may hear
the word of God andthe word of God and
profess it for theirprofess it for their
salvation.salvation.
54. Solemn BlessingSolemn Blessing
The solemn blessingThe solemn blessing
concludes theconcludes the
celebration ofcelebration of
Baptism. At theBaptism. At the
Baptism of newbornsBaptism of newborns
the blessing of thethe blessing of the
mother occupies amother occupies a
special place.special place.
55. ““Let the Children come to me . . . For the KingdomLet the Children come to me . . . For the Kingdom
of Heaven belongs to such as these.”of Heaven belongs to such as these.”
