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sacrament of
BAPTISM
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Infant Baptisms
(6year of age & younger)
Sunday 1:30 PM
Spanish 1st & 3rd Sunday
English 2nd & 4th Sunday
A pre-baptismal class is
required. Please
call the Parish Center
for an appointment.
The Sacrament of
Baptism is the
sacrament that begins
our new life, our life
in Christ. Baptism
washes away original sin
and, in the case of
those who have reached
the age of reason,
particular sin. We are
made a member of
Christ’s body, the
Church. We are filled
with sanctifying grace.
We receive the
theological virtues of
faith, hope and charity,
as well as the gifts of
the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is celebrated by
pouring holy water or
immersing one in the
Baptismal Font. And the
celebrant recites the
words, "I baptize you in
the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit." This
is called the
Trinitarian baptismal
formula. The one
receiving the sacrament
is immersed or water is
poured three times –
once as the celebrant
says, "in the name of
the Father," once as he
says, "and of the Son,"
and again when he says,
"and of the Holy
Spirit." The celebrant
or minister of Baptism
is usually a bishop,
priest or deacon. In an
emergency, however,
anyone can baptize as
long as the intention is
to do the will of the
church and the
Trinitarian formula and
water are used.
Baptismal Font
The Baptismal Font is a
permanent basin. The
word font implies living
water and now many
Baptismal Fonts have
running water to
represent this living
water. Some Baptismal
Fonts are located near
the door of the church,
to symbolize that
Baptism is the door, or
entranceway into the
Church. Other fonts are
located closer to the
sanctuary since
oftentimes Baptisms are
now celebrated during
Mass. Celebrating
Baptisms during Mass
brings the community
together and centers
around the communal
nature of the sacrament.
Baptismal Robe
A white garment is worn
by all who receive the
Sacrament of Baptism.
This signifies our new
life in Christ. It is an
out word sign of our
redemption by the blood
of our savior and Lord.
Those who are brought
into the full communion
with the Church during
Easter Vigil and receive
Baptism will wear their
white garment until
Pentecost. Infants
usually are dressed in
white gowns, oftentimes
adorned with lace and
the like. Sometimes a
liturgical garment (like
a Baptismal bib) is made
and given at the
Baptism.
Baptismal Vows
In the Baptismal Vows or
Promises, one promises
to reject Satan and be a
faithful servant to God.
After renouncing Satan
and all his empty
promises, the person
being baptized (or the
parents speak for the
baby) professes the
Faith by responding to
questions asked by the
celebrant. This is much
like the Rite of Baptism
was bestowed in the
early Church.
Baptism of Blood &
Baptism of Desire
If, for some reason, a
person isn’t able to
receive baptism of
water, the same
sanctifying grace and
benefits can come
through Baptism of
Blood, which is when
martyrdom is suffered
for the Catholic Church
or some virtue, or
through Baptism of
Desire, when a person
has repented and has the
intention of being
faithful to God, and
desires a life in
Christ.
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