Through Baptism we become children of God and members of the Church 26 PIERRE, Jean Baptiste Marie St. John the Baptist Baptising the Jews in the Desert 1743 Musee Crozatier, Le Puy-en-Velay, France

Compendium of the Catechism 252. What names are given to the first sacrament of initiation? This sacrament is primarily called Baptism because of the central rite with which it is celebrated. To baptize means to “immerse” in water. The one who is baptized is immersed into the death of Christ and rises with him as a “new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This sacrament is also called the “bath of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5); and it is called “enlightenment” because the baptized becomes “a son of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

Introduction Baptism is the “sacrament of faith”, “gateway to all other sacraments”, or “gateway to the Church”, as it is known as from of old Baptism of Christ, from a Gospel, 1330 Catedral Museo de Armenia, Julfa, Isfahan, Iran

Main ideas

1. The sacraments of Christian initiation The sacraments of Christian initiation are:  Baptism, which is the beginning of a new life in Christ;  Confirmation, which strengthens and completes that life;  and the Eucharist, which nourishes us with the Body and Blood of Christ in order to unite us to Him and to transform us until we become identified with Him. CHASSERIAU, Theodore St. Francis Xavier Musée de la Ville de Paris, Musée Carnavalet, Paris

2. Meaning of Baptism Through Baptism, we died to sin and we are born to the new life of grace (cfr. Romans 6:3- 11). Indeed, we are all born with the sin inherited from our first parents and thus bereft of grace; but Christ freed us by His death and resurrection. Baptism is the sacrament that confers onto us the fruits of the Redemption, so that we may die to sin and be born to the supernatural life of grace. LONGHI, Pietro The Baptism Galleria Querini-Stampalia, Venice

3. What is Baptism? "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark, 16:16). Baptism is the sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ which makes us His disciples and which regenerates us to a life of grace. Baptism is the basis of the entire Christian life, the gateway to the life in the Spirit and the door that gives access to the other sacraments. This sacrament’s matter is the ablution with natural water and its form is made up of the words: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". PATINIR, Joachim The Baptism of Christ, c.1515 Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria

4. Effects of Baptism a) It blots out original sin. b) It confers sanctifying grace. c) It confers sacramental character. d) It incorporates us into Jesus Christ. e) It incorporates us into the Church CARRACCI, Annibale The Baptism of Christ 1584 Oil on canvas S. Gregorio, Bologna

5. The necessity of Baptism Baptism is indispensable for salvation: "I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God " (John 3:5).  When it is not possible to receive the sacrament of Baptism, one can reach out to the grace of salvation through the so called Baptism of desire –an act of perfect love for God, or contrition for sins with the implicit or explicit aim of receiving the sacrament– and also through the Baptism of blood or martyrdom, that is, giving up one’s life for the sake of Christ. Children also need to be baptized. Therefore, there is a need for baptizing children as soon as possible. MASACCIO The Baptism of the Neophytes Fresco, 255 x 162 cm Cappella Brancacci, Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence

6. Who can baptize? Normally the duty to baptize falls upon the parish priest or on any other priest or deacon who has the permission of the parish priest. In case of necessity, anyone can baptize. Given the importance and need for Baptism, God has made it easy to administer this sacrament. So easy, that a person who is not himself baptized, can baptize validly as long as he has the intention of doing what the Church does. The reason is that Christ is always the one who baptizes, as St Augustine remarks: ‘does Peter baptize? It is Christ who baptizes. Does John baptize? It is Christ who baptizes. Does Judas baptize? It is Christ who baptizes’. MASTER of Saint Gilles The Baptism of Clovis 1500 Wood National Gallery of Art, Washington

7. Way of administering the sacrament Baptism is administered by pouring natural water on the head while saying, with the intention of baptizing: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. The ceremony of Baptism comprises many parts, but the essential part is the one we have mentioned: the pouring out of water while saying the words “I baptize you….” PERUGINO, Pietro Baptism of Christ (detail) c Fresco Cappella Sistina, Vatican

8. Duties imposed by Baptism When children are baptized it is their parents and their godparents who take responsibility for them. However, adults themselves must be responsible and firmly resolved to live the newness of life brought by Baptism. Their response may consist in:  making explicit acts of faith (reciting the Symbol of Faith, for example),  in resolving to fulfil the law of Christ and of His Church,  and in renouncing forever the devil and his snares, as is done in the Easter Vigil when the Baptismal promises are renewed. QUERCIA, Jacopo della Baptismal font c Marble, gilded bronze, and cloured enamel Baptistry, Siena

Resolutions for Christian life

Resolutions to move forward Thank God for having been baptized; find out your date of Baptism and celebrate its anniversary. Remember that Baptism imposes on us the duty of nurturing our Christian life, faithfully fulfilling the commandments of God and of the Church.