On the Mystagogy of Baptism
Sacraments are signs instituted by Christ to bestow Grace. Regardless of the merits and disposition of the minister or the recipient, but because of God’s goodness and generosity, the Sacraments, as instruments of God, effect Grace. This is the principle “ex opere operato”. That is why in Infant Baptism, even if the faith of the child is not ascertained, and regardless of whether the baby is awake or asleep, calm or crying, the efficacy of the Sacrament of Baptism is certain: the child is cleansed from original sin, born in the Holy Spirit, given a new life in Christ, made a child of God and heir to the Kingdom of Heaven, and incorporated into the Church which is the Mystical Body of Christ. By Baptism too, the recipient is imprinted with an indelible spiritual mark or character, that seals her/his belonging to Christ that cannot be removed nor erased even by sin.
The essential Sign of Baptism in the Roman Catholic Church is water poured on the head, which is the Matter or material sign of the Sacrament, while the minister says, “I baptize you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”, which is the Form or formal sign of the Sacrament. The ordinary minister of Baptism is a bishop, priest, or deacon. But “in periculo mortis” and especially, “in articulo mortis”, that means in extreme necessity, any person can baptize. This is called “emergency” Baptism and even a non-Christian can baptize. If the child survives, the rites are completed in the Church and properly recorded in the Parish Canonical Book of Baptism.
In the Liturgy of the Sacrament of Baptism, other important sacred signs, such as words, gestures, and objects, are added to complete the solemn celebration. The very first, of course, is to ascertain the desire and consent of the parents or those who assumed the role of parenting the child. That is why the minister asks, “What do you ask the Church for this child?” Second, is the assumption of duty for the child’s post-baptismal catechumenate that is why the minister asks the parents about their readiness to ensure that the child they brought for baptism will be raised as a good Christian, meaning the child is initiated to the Faith, obedient to the commandments and will of God, and loves God and neighbor. After this, the child is welcomed to the Church by the priest as he marks the forehead, usually with his thumb, with a Sign of the Cross, that signifies the grace of the redemption Christ won for us by His Cross. The parents and godparents do the same signifying their utmost duty to endeavor to have the child belonging to Christ as the child grows and matures. Then, the Word of God is proclaimed. Usually from the Gospel of Matthew, we hear of the command of Jesus to “Go, and make disciples… Baptize them…”. This is followed by Intercessory Prayers and a short Litany of Saints that signify the unity of the whole Church in praying for the child who is to be baptized. Next is the prayer of Exorcism that beseeches God to liberate the child from sin and the devil. The Laying of Hand follows. The minister lays his hand on the head of the child signifying the virtue of Fortitude infused into the child by the power of Christ that strengthens the child to combat the wiles of the devil, avoid evil and so persevere in the Christian Faith.
If the baptismal water to be used was blessed during the Easter Vigil, the rite of Blessing the Water is omitted and the minister proceeds with the Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith. Since the child cannot yet respond, the parents and godparents accept the Faith for the child.
The most essential part of the Sacrament now comes. But just before this, the minister again asks for the consent, “Is it your will that the child be baptized in the faith of the Church which we have all professed?” When in the affirmative, the minister pours water on the head three times while saying, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The minister then anoints the child with the Holy Chrism signifying the Gift of the Holy Spirit on the newly baptized who has become a Christian because he belongs to Christ and is anointed by the Holy Spirit, and now shares in the three-fold office of Christ as Priest, Prophet and King.
A white garment is placed on the head of the Child signifying being clothed in Christ following St. Paul’s exhortation, “Put on Christ”. It is good to note that during a funeral mass, a white pall is placed on the coffin or urn reminding those present of the white garment that was placed on the deceased when she/he was baptized. Then, a lighted candle, preferably lit from the Paschal Candle used during the Easter Season, is received by all present signifying the Light of Christ that is infused into the child. I usually remind the parents and godparents of the richness of the meaning of this act and that they have to take care of the Light of Christ. There are people that whenever we see them, or hear from them, bring darkness to our life. That only means that the Light of Christ in them may have been covered. But there are also people, that whenever we see them, or hear from them, or even receive a text message from them, they bring light and thus dissipate the darkness in our life. These people keep the Light of Christ burning brightly in them. We should be the same. We remember the Light of Christ we too received in Baptism that should never be extinguished, but must be kept shining bright instead.
Such is the wonder and sacredness of the mystery of the Sacrament of Baptism. And it is a moral imperative that we know the meaning of the signs so that we can live a life of grace even as we go through our daily tasks. This is also why, every Easter Sunday, we renew our baptismal vows. May we then find deeper meaning to our faith, and may we cherish and nurture the new life given to us by Jesus Christ by virtue of Baptism until we finally attain the fulness of life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Comments