Baptism

 WORDS OF THE HOLY FATHER 12-03-21 We too have been “illuminated” by Christ in Baptism, and thus we are called to behave as children of the light. Acting as children of the light requires a radical change of mind-set, a capacity to judge men and things according to another scale of values, which comes from God. The Sacrament of Baptism, in fact, requires the choice of living as children of the light and walking in the light. If I were to ask you: “Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Do you believe that he can change your heart? Do you believe that he can show reality as he sees it, not as we see it? Do you believe that he is light, that he gives us the true light?”. How would you answer? Each of you, respond in your heart. (Angelus, 26 March 2017)

  Since the beginning of the Church, we have understood that Baptism actually affects us.  It is something that God does to us. Protestants (in one way or another) have rejected the idea that the Sacraments actually do stuff to us. Depending on the denomination, they may be closer or farther from the full truth of what Baptism does, namely: •Allows us to go to Heaven (CCC 1257, John 3:3-7) •Forgives all sins (CCC 1263) ◦Original sin ◦Actual sins (obviously none for babies) ◦Punishment due to sin (if you died right then, you'd go straight to Heaven--nothing to be purified in Purgatory) •Gives new life in the Holy Spirit (makes each person a new creature, CCC 1265-1266) ◦Adopted by God as a son or daughter ◦Given sanctifying grace (made a partaker in God’s life) ◾Given Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Fortitude, Counsel, Piety, Fear of the Lord) ◾Given Theological Virtues (Faith, Hope & Love) ◾Given Moral Virtues (prudence, justice, temperance, and fort

Baptism and vocations: Vatican to hold Symposium on theology of priesthood The Holy See hosts a press conference to announce a Symposium on the theology of priesthood, which will seek to explore the relationship between the ordained priesthood and the priesthood of all the baptized. By Devin Watkins The Vatican will host a Theological Symposium on Vocations on 17-19 February 2022, entitled “Toward a Fundamental Theology of the Priesthood”. The event was presented on Monday at the Holy See Press Office by Cardinal Marc Ouellett, Professor Michelina Tenace, and Father Vincent Siret. The trio presented reports with the background and goals of next year’s Symposium, which will address the issue of clerical celibacy in the Latin rite and the priesthood of the baptized. Each of the three days will focus on a different theme. The first day will be dedicated to “Tradition and New Horizons”, the second to “Trinity, Mission, and Sacramentality”, and the third to “Celibacy, Charism, and Spi

The Mystery of Baptism Baptism, as the central act of Christian initiation, is a rite rich in significance. At its heart are two fundamental affirmations. First, baptism, celebrated with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and completed by chrismation and the reception of the Eucharist, brings about our union with God in Christ and our sharing in Christ’s death and resurrection. It is the act that marks the beginning of every distinctively Christian life; so, with the Apostle Paul, we affirm: “As many of you who have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ” (Gal.3:27). https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecumenical-interreligious-affairs/vocation-and-mission

The pope’s ‘inverted pyramid’ vision of the church By Michael M. Canaris -August 2, 201801358 Many experts argue that Pope Francis’ homily on Oct. 17, 2015 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops is among his most programmatic discourses on his ideas about the church thus far. In that compact but weighty speech, the pope puts forward a vision of the church which he calls an “inverted pyramid,” with the People of God, the base, above what is normally perceived to be the “apex.” The clergy, bishops, cardinals, and even His Holiness the “servant of servants of God,” himself are all located beneath the People, playing the role of undergirding systems of support for the wider believing faithful, not franchise branch managers, or guardians and dispensers of oligarchical stockpiles of grace. The ministers (from “minus” meaning “less”) do not “lord their power” over the rest of the People, but rather serve them effectively and tirelessly. This is the mark

https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecumenical-interreligious-affairs/vocation-and-mission The Vocation and Mission of the People of God: THE NORTH AMERICAN ORTHODOX-CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL CONSULTATION The Vocation and Mission of the People of God: “A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation” But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.Once you were no people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy. (I Peter 2:9-10) Our Lord Jesus Christ continues to call individuals to be his disciples, members of the “holy nation” we call his Church. From the day of Pentecost, this saving relationship with Christ has normally been established through the solemn and joyous event of baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit. A sacred rite, rich with deep significance - baptism, in water and in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy

https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/finding-god

The Sacrament of Baptism in the Catholic Church Learn About the Practice and Effects of the Sacrament of Baptism https://www.learnreligions.com/the-sacrament-of-baptism-542130 Pope Benedict baptizes a child. (L'Osservatore Romano Vatican Pool/Getty Images) Pope Benedict XVI baptizes a child in the Sistine Chapel on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 8, 2012. Photo by L'Osservatore Romano Vatican Pool / Getty Images By Scott P. Richert Updated May 04, 2019 The Sacrament of Baptism is often called "The door of the Church," because it is the first of the seven sacraments not only in time (since most Catholics receive it as infants) but in priority since the reception of the other sacraments depends on it. It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Once baptized, a person becomes a member of the Church. Traditionally, the rite (or ceremony) of baptism was held

Confession Before Baptism Authored By: Father Edward McNamara A ZENIT DAILY DISPATCH Confession Before Baptism ROME, 22 MARCH 2011 (ZENIT) Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university. Q: A young lady of about 13 years came to me for confession at a parish. She said that this was her first confession, and I asked her if she knew what it was all about. She said, "No" and then I asked her if she was baptized. She said, "No" also to this, whereupon I told her that she couldn't receive the sacrament, as of course she had not been baptized. She then said that she had been told that the teacher of the RCIA class had told her to come to me, as she was to be baptized at Easter (after three months of catechumenate). I tried to explain to her what the sacraments were — to her great surprise, as she knew nothing about them! Off she went, and later on I understood that she had gone to the parish priest

What Happens to Babies Who Die Before Baptism? BY BIRGIT J · PUBLISHED OCTOBER 20, 2018 · UPDATED OCTOBER 20, 2018 What Happens to BabiesWho Die Before Baptism? http://catholiclifeinourtimes.com/babies-die-baptism/ Since October is Respect Life Month and Pregnancy Loss Month, it is only natural to question what happens to these little souls. Grieving families wonder what happens to their babies who die before Baptism. What happens to these precious little souls for Eternity? . Baptism Is Necessary For Salvation As Catholic Christians we are gravely aware of the necessity of the sacraments for Eternal Salvation. The first, and therefore, most important early sacrament is Baptism – the washing away of the Original Sin handed down by our First Parents. As Catholic parents, we are admonished by Holy Mother Church, to avail our children of this cleansing Sacrament as early in a child’s life as possible. Yet, we’ve all heard of the tragedies of early infant loss or abortion and can’t

Vatican News @VaticanNews #Gospel of the Day (St Mark 1:7-11) It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. http://ow.ly/bCZz50D3Oap