Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church uses several rituals and objects during baptism. The ceremony involves the use of blessed water, which is poured over the candidate's head or used to immerse them three times. The priest or deacon also traces the Sign of the Cross on the forehead of the person being baptised and asks them to reject sin and Satan and to profess their faith in God. The candidate must also use the correct form of words, including the Trinitarian formula. In infant baptism, the parents, godparents and community present do this on the child's behalf. Godparents must be baptised Catholics who are actively practising their faith. In Eastern Churches, the newly baptised person is anointed with sacred chrism, a perfumed oil signifying the gift of the Holy Spirit.
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What You'll Learn
Holy water
In Catholic baptisms, the priest, bishop, or deacon pours holy water three times over the candidate's head or immerses them in water three times. The Trinitarian formula accompanies this action, with the words: " [Name], I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
The water used for baptism is blessed at the Easter Vigil or during each celebration of the Sacrament. The blessing prayer invokes the power of the Holy Spirit upon the water, asking that those who are baptised may be "born of water and the Spirit". This blessing is based on Scripture, specifically John 3:5.
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Chrism
In Catholic baptism, the newly baptised are anointed with chrism by the priest or bishop. The act of anointing with chrism is a sign of the Holy Spirit, recalling the Spirit of God moving over the waters at creation, and Jesus' appearance to his disciples after his resurrection, when he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit".
In addition to its use in sacraments, chrism is also used in the consecration of objects such as churches and altars.
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Oil of catechumens
The Oil of Catechumens, also known as the Oil of Exorcism, is used in some traditional Christian churches, including the Catholic Church, during baptism. It is believed to strengthen the one being baptised to turn away from evil, temptation, and sin. The oil is typically made from pure olive oil.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the oil is blessed by the priest during the baptismal rite. A vessel of pure olive oil is brought to the priest by the deacon, who then breathes on the oil three times, blesses it thrice, and says a prayer of blessing. This blessing is also performed by the bishop during the Chrism Mass, which is celebrated on Holy Thursday morning or an earlier day near Easter. The bishop blesses enough new oils for every parish during this Mass, and the oils are then transported to individual parishes for use throughout the year.
The Oil of Catechumens is used to anoint those seeking baptism, also known as catechumens. This anointing is a symbol of being an heir to the Kingdom of God and is intended to help strengthen and prepare the person for the Christian life. In the Catholic Church, this anointing often takes place during a special initiation ceremony, such as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), before the person receives the Sacrament of Baptism. Similarly, infants are anointed with the oil just before receiving the waters of baptism to help them ward off evil and possess the necessary faith to carry the cross of Christ throughout their lives.
The prayer of blessing for the Oil of Catechumens asks for three effects on those who will be anointed: that they "may understand more deeply the Gospel of your Christ, may undertake with a generous heart the labours of the Christian life, and may rejoice to be born anew and to live in your Church". This oil is one of the three holy oils used in the Catholic Church, along with the Oil of the Sick and the Holy Chrism Oil.
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Godparents
There are several requirements that must be met for someone to become a godparent. Firstly, they must be baptised Catholics who have received their First Holy Communion and Confirmation. They should be actively practising their Catholic faith, which includes attending Mass regularly, adhering to the teachings of the Church, and rejecting artificial contraception and abortion. A godparent must also have attained the age of reason, indicating that they are mature enough to understand the responsibilities they are undertaking.
In the case of infant baptism, the godparents, together with the parents and the community present, are asked to reject sin and Satan and to profess their faith in the Triune God on behalf of the child. They play a significant role in the child's spiritual upbringing and are expected to ensure that the child is raised in the Catholic faith.
For adult baptisms, the role of the godparent may be more of a spiritual mentor or guide. They may accompany the person being baptised on their journey of faith and provide support and encouragement as they enter into the Catholic Church.
It is important to note that the role of a godparent is not just symbolic but carries legal and spiritual implications within the Catholic Church. Godparents are expected to take their responsibilities seriously and be actively involved in the life of their godchild, especially in fostering their spiritual growth and relationship with God.
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The priest
In the Catholic Church, a priest is the preferred officiant for administering the sacrament of baptism, acting in persona Christi Capitis, or "in the person of Christ the Head". According to Scripture, St. John the Baptist says, "He who is coming ... will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire", and it is through the priest's hands, representing the hands of Christ, that individuals are brought into the Catholic Church.
In the absence of a priest, a deacon may perform the baptism. However, there are limits to what a deacon can do compared to a priest. The priest or deacon will pour holy water from the baptismal font over the candidate's head three times or immerse them in the water three times, depending on the form of baptism. The Latin Church of the Catholic Church uses baptism by submersion in the Ambrosian Rite and as one of the methods in the Roman Rite of infant baptism. In Eastern liturgies, the priest immerses the candidate in water and raises them up again at the invocation of each person of the Most Holy Trinity.
During the ceremony, the priest traces the Sign of the Cross on the forehead of the one being baptised, recalling Christ's saving death and the redemption it brought. The priest also asks those being baptised to reject sin and Satan and to profess their faith in the Triune God. In the case of infant baptism, the parents, godparents, and the entire community present for the liturgy do this on behalf of the child.
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Frequently asked questions
Holy water is used in the baptismal font, where the candidate is immersed three times. The priest or deacon uses the Trinitarian formula, saying, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
The priest acts "in persona Christi Capitis," meaning "in the person of Christ the Head." Through their hands, they represent the hands of Christ, bringing the individual into the Catholic Church.
Godparents, or sponsors, are practising Catholics who serve as spiritual mentors. They must have received their First Holy Communion and Confirmation and actively live according to the teachings of the Church.
The number three symbolizes the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The priest invokes each person of the Trinity during the baptism, and water is poured three times over the candidate's head.
The word "baptism" comes from the Greek "baptisma," meaning "washing" or "dipping." It signifies purification, initiation, and being given a new name within the Catholic Church.
