Michael Brooks
As baptized Catholics, we are called to live out our baptismal promises each day of our lives. These promises include belief in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. We can live out these promises by making conscious efforts in our daily lives, such as performing the sign of the cross, reviewing our day and confessing our sins, and making sacrifices for the greater good. Additionally, we can renew our baptismal promises annually or during significant liturgical events, such as Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, by partaking in rituals like sprinkling holy water and lighting baptismal candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Belief in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, and the communion of saints | I do |
| Belief in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting | I do |
| Reject Satan | I do |
| Make the sign of the cross | Recall your identity as God's child and invoke God's aid |
| Confess your sins and seek forgiveness | Receive strength to combat weaknesses |
| Pray daily | Affirm your belief in God and his teachings |
| Make sacrifices | Give up something good for the love of God |
| Bless others | Practice generosity and compassion |
| Serve all people | Follow the example of Jesus |
| Strive for justice and peace | Respect the dignity of every human being |
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What You'll Learn
Make the sign of the cross
Making the sign of the cross is a powerful prayer and a sacramental of the Church. It is a way to sanctify daily life and elevate whatever activity one is about to begin. It is also a way to profess one's faith in God and renew the baptismal promises.
When making the sign of the cross, one should be mindful of the graces given at baptism and recall the presence of the Trinity within the soul. The right hand moves from the forehead to the chest, then from the left shoulder to the right shoulder. This is the typical Western way of making the sign of the cross, though some Eastern Christians do it in the opposite order.
The sign of the cross can be made at various times throughout the day, such as when beginning and ending prayers, or as a parental blessing. It can also be made when using holy water fonts when entering and exiting a church. By making the sign of the cross, one recalls their identity as a child of God and invokes God's aid in their journey toward heaven.
In addition to the physical act of making the sign of the cross, it is important to have faith and good will. This means being attentive to what one is doing and not rushing through the ritual. The sign of the cross should be made with reverence and seriousness, as it is an opportunity to draw nearer to God and experience His blessings.
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Meditate on scriptures
As baptized Catholics, we are called to live out our baptismal promises each day of our lives. One way to do this is by meditating on scriptures.
Start by practising Lectio Divina when reading about the baptism of Jesus. Lectio Divina is a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, reflection, and prayer. It is intended to promote communion with God and to increase one's knowledge of God's word. When practising Lectio Divina, take your time to slowly and mindfully read the scripture, allowing the words to sink in.
You can also do a Bible word study and look for passages referring to water in the Old and New Testaments. Water is a powerful symbol in the Bible, often representing God's presence, purification, and new life. Reflect on how these passages relate to your own baptism and the promise of eternal life. Consider the words of Pope Benedict XVI, who reminds us that "baptism begins a process that leads us to eternity".
In addition to this, you can also reflect on the concept of "Living Water" in the Bible. "Living Water" is a phrase used by Jesus to describe himself as the source of spiritual life and salvation. Meditate on scriptures that mention "Living Water", such as John 4:10, where Jesus offers living water to a Samaritan woman, or Revelation 21:6, where God promises living water to those who are thirsty.
By meditating on these scriptures and reflecting on the symbolism of water in the Bible, you can deepen your understanding of your baptismal promises and their significance in your spiritual journey.
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Confess your sins
As baptized Catholics, we are called to live out our baptismal promises each day of our lives. One of the promises made during baptism is the belief in the forgiveness of sins. This promise is fulfilled by regularly confessing our sins and receiving God's forgiveness. Here are some ways to actively confess your sins and live out this promise:
Review Your Day: Take 5-10 minutes each night to reflect on your day. Recall your thoughts, words, and actions, and evaluate how they aligned with God's teachings. Identify moments of grace and moments where you may have sinned or resisted God. By regularly examining your conscience, you can gain a deeper understanding of your actions and their consequences.
Confess and Repent: Through confession, bring your sins to God and ask for His forgiveness. The more frequently you confess, the more you recommit yourself to a life of grace. Resolve to go to confession regularly, such as once every 2-3 weeks. By confessing your sins, you receive God's forgiveness and obtain the strength to overcome your weaknesses.
Renew Your Promises: Baptismal promises include rejecting sin and evil and repenting when you fall into sin. Renew your commitment to these promises during significant times in the liturgical year, such as Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, or on personal milestones like the anniversary of your baptism. Meditate on scriptures that speak about baptism, such as the baptism of Jesus, to deepen your understanding of this sacrament.
Pray for Forgiveness: Start each day with a morning offering, presenting your prayers, works, joys, and sufferings to God. Offer prayers of repentance and seek God's forgiveness for your sins. You can also incorporate acts of faith, hope, and charity into your daily routine, affirming your trust and belief in God's mercy and forgiveness.
Make Sacrifices: Baptism calls us to die to self so that Christ may live in us. This can be lived out by making sacrifices, such as giving up something good for the love of God. Consider making intentional sacrifices on Fridays, as taught by the Church, to deny yourself and grow closer to God.
By actively confessing your sins and seeking forgiveness, you fulfill your baptismal promise to believe in the forgiveness of sins. This practice strengthens your relationship with God and empowers you to live a life aligned with His teachings.
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Believe in Jesus Christ
As baptised Catholics, we are called to live out our baptismal promises each day of our lives. One of the promises made during baptism is the belief in Jesus Christ, his only Son, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose again from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
To believe in Jesus Christ is to have faith in Him and His teachings. This can be done by praying daily, such as through the acts of faith, hope and charity, or by offering short, spontaneous prayers throughout the day. One can also start each day with a morning offering, where one presents their "prayers, works, joys and sufferings" for the intentions of salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and the good of the Church. This is a way to express our belief in the eternal and ask God to sanctify our day.
Another way to live out our belief in Jesus Christ is to make sacrifices, such as giving up something good for the love of God. This can be done intentionally on Fridays, as taught by the Church. Additionally, we can strive to follow Jesus' example in serving all people and showing them love, just as we love ourselves. We are called to join Jesus in giving, forgiving, teaching, and healing in His name.
Furthermore, we can live out our belief in Jesus Christ by regularly confessing our sins and receiving God's forgiveness. By doing so, we recommit ourselves to a life of grace and obtain the strength to combat our weaknesses and sins. Taking 5-10 minutes each night to review our day and reflect on our thoughts, words, and actions can help us see how we are moving towards God or rejecting His grace. This self-examination allows us to make concrete plans for improvement and renew our commitment to following Christ.
Through these practices, we can actively live out our baptismal promise to believe in Jesus Christ and strive to follow His example in our daily lives.
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Bless and serve others
As baptised Catholics, we are called to live out our baptismal promises each day of our lives. Here are some ways to bless and serve others in accordance with these promises:
Prayer and Reflection
Consciously making the sign of the cross, especially when entering or exiting a church, is a powerful reminder of our baptismal identity as God's beloved children. We can also take time each night to reflect on our day, inviting God to reveal His work in our lives and making concrete plans to align ourselves more closely with His will.
Sacrifices and Morning Offerings
Our baptism calls us to die to self, so Christ may live in us. This can be lived out through sacrifices, such as giving up something good for the love of God, especially on Fridays as the Church teaches. Each morning, we can offer our day to God, presenting our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings for the salvation of souls, the forgiveness of sins, and the good of the Church.
Serve All People
Baptismal promises include a commitment to serve all people, following the example of Jesus. This means seeking and serving Christ in all persons and loving our neighbours as ourselves. We are empowered by the Spirit to bless everyone we meet, practising generosity and compassion, and proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ through our words and actions.
Strive for Justice and Peace
Living out our baptismal promises also involves striving for justice and peace among all people and respecting the dignity of every human being. This may involve actively seeking to promote justice and reconciliation in our communities and treating all people with the inherent dignity bestowed upon them by God.
By living out these aspects of our baptismal promises, we can more fully embrace our identity as God's beloved children and actively participate in His redemptive plan for the world.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to live out your baptismal promises as a Catholic. Some examples include:
- Making the sign of the cross, recalling your identity as God's son or daughter.
- Taking 5-10 minutes each night to review your day and reflect on your thoughts, words, and actions.
- Starting each day with a morning offering, presenting your "prayers, works, joys, and sufferings" to God.
The baptismal promises in the Catholic faith include:
- Belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was born of the Virgin Mary, died, and rose from the dead.
- Belief in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting.
- To live among God's faithful people, hear the word of God, and share in the Lord's Supper.
Catholics can renew their baptismal promises at various times during the liturgical year and their lives. This can be done privately or during special occasions such as Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday, or the anniversary of one's baptism. During these times, one can use their baptismal candle, sprinkle holy water, and meditate on scriptures related to baptism.
