Roles of BaptismBeginning of a NEW LIFE for us

We become CHILDREN OF GOD

Membership in the ChurchWe become SHARERS in the divine life promised by God

NEW LIFENew life- life free from sinWater- symbolizes and brings about “ a cleansing from all sin and rebirth to a new life in the Spirit”

Holy Spirit- brings about the cleansing of sin

Indelible spiritual mark Incorporated into Christ by Baptism,

the person baptized is configured to Christ. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. Given once for all, Baptism cannot be repeated.

MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCHThrough Baptism, we become incorporated into Christ’s body, the Church and we become united with the other members of the Church.

Promises our parents make for usWe promise to reject sin so as to live in the

freedom of God’s childrenWe promise to reject the glamor of evil and

refuse to be mastered by sinWe promise to reject Satan, father of sin

- After making our promises, through our parents, we PROFESS OUR FAITH by praying the APOSTLES’ CREED.

After becoming part of the Church, we become sharers in the mission of the Church.

Proclaim the Good News and bear witness to Christ through words and deeds

SymbolsFIRE - Christ enlightens the recipient, who in turn, is called to radiate Christ’s light to other men and women.

OIL- Sacred chrism ( pure oil of olives, and blessed by a bishop, or at least by a priest delegated by the Holy See.)

- Anointing signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized.

SHARERS IN THE DIVINE LIFE

Trinitarian Baptismal FormulaName, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISMIt is necessary for SALVATIONWe share in Christ’s royal priesthood

It is the door to all the other sacraments

Confers upon us the grace to spread the Gospel of Christ. It marks the beginning of our life of discipleship.

Baptism"Baptism is the sacrament of

regeneration through water in the word.“

to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature."