1. Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism

2. Introduction to Baptism
Basis of the entire Christian life.
Become members of Christ and the Church
Become sharers of the mission to bring the “Good News” to the world
Comes from Baptizein “to plunge”
Plunge to death to rise in new life
Bath of enlightenment
Receive the true light
Enlightened by the light of Christ

3. The Waters of Life
The Roots of Baptism begin in the Old Testament (Old covenant):
Creation
The Great Flood
The Exodus (Red Sea Event)
Waters of the Jordan

4. Creation
Water has been the source of life

5. The Great Flood Land symbolizes the Promised Land Water can be deadly
The ark offers Noah the opportunity to be saved

6. The Red Sea Exodus Event
From death to life
As they cross through the waters of the Red Sea they are brought to a new life of freedom

7. The Waters of the Jordan
1. Solidarity with us
2. Spirit prefigures the presence of the Spirit at our Baptism
3. God acclaimed His Son as He acclaims us as adopted sons and daughters
From death in the Desert to the “milk and honey” of the Promised land

8. “Not to Abolish but to Fulfill”
Holy Spirit hovers over Jesus at His Baptism
At the Last Supper Jesus celebrated the Passover
He spoke of His passion as a Baptism
At the Resurrection He passed from death to Life
To Nicodemus He said “No one can enter heaven without being born of water and Spirit”
Jesus commissioned His apostles to go and “Baptize all nations”

9. Symbols and Ritual Water Land Dove Liminal action (All sacraments)
Death
Life
Cleansing and renewal
Land
Promised land
Israel
Heaven
Dove
Holy Spirit with Jesus at His Baptism- with us at ours
Liminal action (All sacraments)
Transitional state – from death to life
Right of passage

10. Christian Initiation in the Early Centuries
A catechumen was a person who inquired about the Christian faith and then chose to prepare for initiation into the Church. During this time the catechumen was supported by the liturgy and the personal involvement of the community and was offered catechesis. this process would take about three years. Then would receive the Sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil Mass.

11. Ritual
Stripped of robes and immersed in the water three times, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Anointed with sacred chrism.
Given a white garment
Given a lit candle
Join in the prayers of the faithful
Sealed with Holy Spirit with sacred chrism by the Bishop
Enter into the sanctuary for the celebration of the Eucharist

12. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The process by which an unbaptized, person called a catechumen and those who were baptized in another Christian denomination, called “candidates for full communion”, are prepared to become full members of the Church
Period of Inquiry
Rite of Acceptance
Period of Catechumenate
Rite of Election
Period of Purification & Enlightenment
Celebration of the Sacraments
Post Baptismal Catechesis or Mystogogy

13. Rite of Acceptance Preceded by the period of inquiry
Evangelization and pre-catechumenate
Listens to the “Good News”
Learns about the Catholic Faith
Discerns the call to live the gospel life as a Catholic
Sponsors
Rite: Declares intentions to follow Christ and accepted as a catechumen
questions
What is your name?
What do you ask of God’s Church?
What does faith offer you?
Inquirer and assembly answer- Are you ready?
Signed on forehead by celebrant and sponsors, prayers recited over
Stay at Mass until after the homily

14. Rite of Election Preceded by the “Period of Catechumenate”
Catechesis
Spiritual development
Liturgy
Apostolic witness
Rite: First Sunday of Lent
Presented after the homily
Sponsors ask if the catechumen are ready
Catechumen are asked if this is what they want
Pronounced as members of the elect, called & chosen
Prayers for the elect are included in the prayer of the faithful (intercessions)
Elect are dismissed

15. Purification & Enlightenment
Precedes the celebration of the Sacraments
Participate in acts of penitence
Deepening knowledge of Jesus
Deepening relationship with Jesus
Reflections on Baptism and its meaning
Participation in the scrutinies
Liturgical rites, 3rd, 4th, 5th Sundays of Lent
Praying over elect by the assembly
Laying on of hands for purification
Handing on of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer

16. Celebration of the Sacraments
Easter Vigil Mass
Lighting of the Paschal Candle
Reading of Salvation History
Blessing of the Water
Paschal candle is lowered into the water
Baptismal promises
Elect are Baptized
Immersion in the water, “I baptize you in the name of…”
White garment- new life
Lighted candle- flame of faith
New members are Confirmed
New members receive the Eucharist

17. Post Baptismal Catechesis or Mystogogy
Neophytes* continue their study of the faith, or catechesis
Mystogogy: the period of catechesis following the reception of the sacraments of Christian initiation that aims to more fully initiate people into the mystery of Christ
*beginners

18. Baptism for Children
Sharing in grace is a gift from God that does not depend on our merits, therefore from the earliest times Baptism has been administered to children.
Parents share their most precious possession, their faith, with their child
Baptism must be affirmed throughout life, in our everyday choices.

19. Preparation Parents and godparents attend preparation meetings
Present the child to the Church for baptism
What name do you give?
What do you ask of God’s Church?
Sacrament is celebrated in the midst of the community
Celebrated on Sunday
New beginning
“Let there be light”
Child is received into the Church
Parents are responsible for the faith of the child
Godparents help the parents
Child is received by the community

20. Rite of Baptism Essential elements Additional rituals and symbols
Immersion or pouring of water with the words “I Baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen”
Additional rituals and symbols
Prayer of exorcism
Blessing and invocation over the water
Questions
Creed
Signing with the Cross
Parents renew their baptismal vow
Anointing with oil, chest & forehead
Represents being chosen
A symbol of healing
Presentation of the candle
You have been given the “light” of Christ
White garment
You have been “made new”
Usual minister
Bishop, Priest or deacon
In an emergency anyone can Baptize

21. The Source of Christian Living
Results or effects of Baptism
Dying and rising with Christ
Freedom from Original Sin, (and all other sin)
Children of God
Adopted sons and daughters, enabled to say “Our Father”
Members of the Church
No one journeys alone
Empowered for Discipleship
Priest, prophet and king
Sacramental character of Baptism
Visible sign of God’s love, chrism
Souls are marked and sealed

22. Efficacious Signs Efficacious:
capable of having the desired result or effect
Baptism
Begins new life
Eucharist
Nourishes the new Christian life through the transforming power of the Body & Blood of Christ
Confirmation
Strengthens the new life

23. Outline for study Scriptural accounts with symbolism of water
Explain what they say about Baptism
Sacrament
Define in depth
Initiation
Early Church
Today
Adults
RCIA
Children
As liminal actions
Baptism
Symbols and their meaning
Effects
Usual minister