The Evangelium #13

1. Baptism and
Confirmation

2. What is Baptism?
The Baptism of St Augustine by Gozzoli

3. What is Baptism?
Baptism is the sacrament
by which we become
Christians. It frees us
from Original Sin, makes
us children of God and
members of the Church.
KEY DEFINITION

4. Why is Baptism important?
The Baptism of the Neophytes by Masaccio

5. Why is Baptism important?
Baptism is of the greatest
importance for us because it is
the ordinary way of salvation
for every human being (ccc. 1257).
It is the gateway to all the
other sacraments and the
whole Christian life.

6. Why is Baptism important?
Jesus commanded:
“Go and make disciples of
all nations, baptising them
in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching
them to obey everything I
have commanded you.”
Mt 28:19-20.The Ascension of Christ by Garofalo

7. Why is Baptism important?

8. Why is Baptism important?
Ambrose
Bishop of
Milan
Augustine
St Ambrose baptising
St Augustine. Ambrose
linked Baptism to Christ’s
cross and Resurrection:
“See where Baptism comes from, if
not from the cross of Christ, from his
death. There is the whole mystery: he
died for you. In him you are
redeemed, in him you are saved.”
St Monica
Augustine’s mother, who prayed many
years for his conversion.

9. What happens to us through Baptism?

10. What happens to us through Baptism?

11. What happens to us through Baptism?
WASHING
Baptism washes away all our
sins, particularly the state of
Original Sin inherited from
our first parents.
NEW LIFE
Baptism brings us a new life
as children of God,
members of the Church and
temples of the Holy Spirit.
Ambrose
Monica
Augustine
The water used in
Baptism symbolises
WASHING and
NEW LIFE.

12. How do we prepare for Baptism?

13. How do we prepare for Baptism?
An adult prepares for Baptism by
becoming a catechumen, that is,
someone who is being catechised
(educated) in the Christian Faith.
In the Church today there is a formal
process and rite for this called the Rite
of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).
This rite prepares an individual or
group to receive Baptism, often
celebrated at the Easter Vigil.

14. How Baptism takes place

15. How Baptism takes place
Who receives Baptism?
Anyone not already baptised can receive
Baptism. They must have a belief in the
Christian Faith inspired by God.
Following early Church practice, the Church
also baptises the children of Christian parents
who make an act of faith and commitment on
their child’s behalf. New born babies should
be baptised as soon as possible.
‘Baptism’ from
The Seven Sacraments by Weyden

16. How Baptism takes place
Who baptises?
A bishop, priest or deacon normally baptises.
In cases of necessity (such as danger of death)
any person can baptise if they intend to do
what the Church does in Baptism. They must
use water and the Trinitarian formula.

17. How Baptism takes place
Baptism is conferred by immersion in water, as
in the early Church, or by pouring water over
the head, together with the proper form of
words, “[Name] I baptise you in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Baptism normally takes place at a font in a
church. The baptised person is anointed with
the oil of chrism to share in the royal,
prophetic and priestly dignity of Christ. A
white garment and candle signify freedom
from sin and the light of Resurrection.
How is Baptism conferred?

18. Summary
Questions
to reinforce
key points
Discussion
questions
Practical
activities
Presentation Part II
Summary Activities I
Please select an activity or go immediately
to part II of the presentation

19. Summary
Activities Menu Presentation Part II
• Baptism is the sacrament by which we
become Christians. It frees us from Original
Sin, makes us children of God and members
of the Church.
• Baptism is of the greatest importance for us
because it is the ordinary way of salvation
for every human being. It is the gateway to
all the other sacraments and the whole
Christian life.
• Baptism is conferred by immersion in water
or by pouring water over the head, together
with the proper form of words, “[The person’s
name] I baptise you in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

20. Questions to reinforce key points
Washes away all sin
Makes us children of God
Makes us members of the Church
What are the effects of Baptism?
Activities Menu Presentation Part II
1
2
3
Click on a box to reveal one
of the answers

21. Discussion questions
Activities Menu Presentation Part II
• Discuss why Baptism is of such
great importance for the
Christian life.
• Discuss some personal
experiences of infant and/or
adult Baptism.
Select one or more of the following

22. Practical activities
Activities Menu Presentation Part II
• Read through the text of the Rite of
Baptism. Note the different stages of the rite
and what happens during each one of these.
As a group you may also wish to discuss the
reasons for some of the words and actions.
• Visit a baptismal font in a church. Note and
discuss the shape and position of the font
and the reasons for any symbols associated
with the font.
• Arrange with the priest to see the oils of
chrism and catechumens kept in the church.
Select one or more of the following

23. What is Confirmation?
Pentecost by Duccio di Buoninsegna

24. What is Confirmation?
Confirmation completes the Christian
initiation begun in Baptism, making us
spiritually adult by means of a
permanent ‘seal’ upon our souls.
In this sacrament the Holy Spirit also
gives us seven gifts that enable us to
see and act well spiritually. These gifts
empower us to publicly proclaim the
Gospel and to defend the faith
against opposition.
KEY DEFINITION
Detail of The Seven Sacraments
by Weyden

25. Why is Confirmation important?
Christ Carrying His Cross by Stanley Spencer
This reminds us that to follow Christ in the world we need the strength of Confirmation.

26. Why is Confirmation important?
Confirmation is
important because it
equips us for living
the Christian life in
the world, helping us
to attain salvation for
ourselves and others.

27. Confirmation and Pentecost

28. Confirmation perpetuates in
the Church the grace of
Pentecost, the day when the
disciples received the Holy
Spirit to preach the gospel.
ccc. 1288
Confirmation and Pentecost

29. Confirmation and Pentecost
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And
suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled
the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among
them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy
Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Acts 2:1-4

30. Confirmation and Pentecost

31. Confirmation and Pentecost
Mary, the
Mother of the Church
The book
symbolises the Gospel that
the Christian disciple is to
proclaim.
Mary and the apostles
gathered together represent the
whole Church and show that
Confirmation is for all Christians.
The open door
signifies the mission to the
outside world.
The rays and tongues of fire
show the descent of the Holy Spirit.

32. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Virgin in Prayer by Sassoferrato
This reminds us that Mary was always filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

33. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
Gifts for seeing in personal
union with God
Gifts for acting in personal
union with God
Wisdom
Counsel
Fortitude (Courage)
Understanding Piety (Devotion)
Knowledge Fear of the Lord (Awe)

34. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
Gifts for seeing in personal
union with God
Gifts for acting in personal
union with God
Wisdom
An illumination that enables a
grasp of the ultimate realities of
God and divine things.
Counsel
To perceive the actions
we must do in particular
situations.
Fortitude (Courage)
To have the strength and
confidence to accomplish
difficult actions.
Understanding
To see the truth, meaning
and implications of what
God has revealed.
Piety (Devotion)
To have familial respect for God,
other persons and holy things.
Knowledge
To see created things in their
right relation to God (such as
family life in God’s service).
Fear of the Lord (Awe)
To have a holy fear of offending
God because of our love of God.

35. How do we receive Confirmation?

36. How do we receive Confirmation?
Confirmation is normally
given by a bishop to older
children or young adults as
they begin to take on their full
Christian responsibilities.

37. How do we receive Confirmation?
The rite of Confirmation has the
following structure:
• Those about to receive Confirmation
renew their baptismal promises.
• The bishop prays over them for the
coming of the Holy Spirit.
• The bishop anoints the forehead of
each with holy oil (chrism), while
praying the words, “Be sealed with the
gift of the Holy Spirit.”

38. Summary
Questions
to reinforce
key points
Discussion
questions
Practical
activities
Summary Activities II
Please select an activity or go immediately
to the concluding prayer
Concluding Prayer

39. Summary
Activities Menu
• Confirmation completes the Christian
initiation begun in Baptism, making us
spiritually adult by means of a permanent
‘seal’ upon our souls.
• Confirmation is important because it equips
us for living the Christian life in the world,
helping us to attain salvation for ourselves
and others, particularly by means of the
seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• Confirmation is conferred by the sacred
minister anointing someone’s forehead with
holy oil (chrism) while praying the words,
“Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Concluding Prayer

40. Questions to reinforce key points
Wisdom
Understanding
Knowledge
Counsel
Fortitude
Piety
Fear of the Lord
What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Activities Menu
1
Click on a box to reveal one
of the answers
2
3
4
5
6
7
Concluding Prayer

41. Discussion questions
Activities Menu
• Discuss why the gifts of the
Holy Spirit are of such
importance for living the
mature Christian life.
• Discuss some personal
experiences of Confirmation.
Select one or more of the following
Concluding Prayer

42. Practical activities
Activities Menu
• Read through the text of the Rite of
Confirmation. Note the different stages
of the rite and what happens during
each one of these. As a group you may
also wish to discuss the reasons for
some of the words and actions.
• Read the account of the coming of the
Holy Spirit at Pentecost in the Acts of
the Apostles 1:14 and 2:1-47.
• Visit a church. Note down any symbols
of the Holy Spirit and discuss why these
particular symbols are used.
Select one or more of the following
Concluding Prayer

43. Final Prayer
From the ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come
with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of
life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue.
Amen.