Baptism and Confirmation

R.C.I.A.

Pre-figuration of Baptism

• In the Old Testament the sacrament of baptism was foreshadowed in various ways
• Natural sign - Water is a sign and source of life, vitality, and death
• The Flood – waters brought an end to human sinfulness and the Ark brought salvation to Noah and his family
• Crossing of the Red Sea – Liberated Israel from slavery and destroyed their enemies
• Crossing over the Jordan – through the waters of the Jordan Israel was led to the Promised Land

Baptism: Outward Sign

• Form (Word) – “N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”
• The Greek word baptizo means to immerse
• Matter (Action) – pouring or submerging in water
• Minister – bishop, priest, or deacon
• In an emergency anyone can baptize
• Recipient - any person not yet baptized can receive baptism

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Baptism: Instituted by Christ

• John 3:5 “Jesus answered, “Amen, Amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
• Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”
• Ephesians 5:25-26 “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word…”

Baptism: To Give Grace

• Effects of Baptism
• Imprints on one’s soul an indelible character, that is, it permanently seals one as a child of God; thus baptism can only be received once
• Unites one to Christ’s death and resurrection (Rom 6:3-4)
• Gives one’s soul sanctifying grace, that is, God’s life
• Infuses faith, hope, charity, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit into our soul

Baptism: To Give Grace

• Effects of Baptism (continued)
• Cleanses one of Original Sin, all personal sin, and all punishment due to sin
• Makes one a priest, prophet, and king in Christ
• Incorporates one into the life, practices, and mission of the Church
• Enables one to receive the other sacraments

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• An Adult must have the proper disposition to receive baptism fruitfully, e.g. faith, repentance, desire to give one’s life to Christ in his Church

Sacramentals of Baptism

• Sacramental – sacred signs instituted by the Church to facilitate grace
• Have a resemblance to the sacraments and signify the effects of the sacraments
• Sacramentals help dispose one to receive grace
• Oil of Catechumens – indicates that in baptism sin & evil is exorcised or banished out of the soul
• Chrism Oil – is a sign that one now shares in Christ’s priesthood, prophetic office, and kingship
• White Garment – symbolizes that one is cleansed of all sin and made spotless and pure
• Candle – indicates that one receives the light of faith and grace in the soul

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Baptism of Blood and Desire

• Baptism is necessary for salvation
• For those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed
• For those who had the possibility of asking for the sacrament
• Baptism of Blood – those who die for the faith without receiving baptism
• Baptism of Desire – those who wanted to be baptized but, for whatever reason, could not be
• Explicit desire – one who consciously indented to receive baptism
• Implicit desire – one who would have intended to receive had they know its nature and necessity

Infant Baptism

• The Church has always believed in the validity of Baptizing infants though the practice became more common in the 3^rd century
• Infant baptism is indicated in the Scriptures
• Lydia…was baptized, with her household (Acts 16:14-15)
• I did baptize also the household of Stephanas (1 Cor 1:16)
• The Early Church Fathers also discussed and recommended this practice so as not to deprive the child of God’s grace
• Parents make the promises on their children’s behalf

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Christian Name

• In the Old and New Testament there was often a new name given to those who were called to participate in God’s plan of salvation, e.g. Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter
• A Christian name is given at baptism and confirmation which shows that the person is now incorporated into the Christ and the Church
• The name should preferably be of a saint who will offer the baptized and confirmed a model of sanctity and the assurance of his or her intercession

Jacob wrestling with God (Gen 32)

Rite of Baptism

• Reception of the child
• Liturgy of the Word
• Prayer of the faithful and litany of saints
• Prayer of exorcism and anointing before Baptism
• Blessing of the baptismal waters
• Renunciation of sin and profession of faith
• Ancient practice of facing west then east
• Baptism
• Ancient baptismal founts
• Anointing after baptism
• Clothing with the white garment
• Lighted candle
• Ephphetha (Be opened) and prayer over the ears and mouth
• Lord’s Prayer
• Dismissal and Blessing

Pre-figuration of Confirmation

• The sacrament of confirmation was foreshadowed in the Old Testament scriptures and culture
• Natural Sign – oil symbolizes abundance, joy, cleansing (anointing before and after a bath), limbering (athletes and wrestlers), southing, healing, health, and beauty
• Anointing – the anointing of priests, prophets, and kings
• Chrism - means “an anointing” in Greek and this is from where the word Christ (Anointed One) comes

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Confirmation: Outward Sign

• Form (Word) – “N. Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”
• Matter (Action) – laying on of hands and Chrism Oil
• Chrism oil is consecrated olive oil mixed with balsam
• Minister – bishop, and in some cases a priest
• Recipient – those who have been baptized and not already validly confirmed

Confirmation: Instituted by Christ

• Acts 2:2-4 And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
• Acts 19:5-6 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Confirmation: To Give Grace

• Effects of Confirmation
• Imprints a new missionary character on the soul which cannot be lost; thus confirmation is received only once
• Increases and deepens the grace of baptism and incorporates one more firmly into Christ, his Church, and his mission
• Strengthens ability to live, spread, and defend the faith
• Increases our share of the Holy Spirit, his seven gifts, and his fruits

Sacramental Seal

• In Greek the word for seal is sphargis
• Roman Soldiers would receive a brand (sphargis) on their arm indication that they belonged to one of the Roman Legions
• It was a mark of honor and a source of privileges and duties
• Their main duty was to defend and expand the Roman Empire
• Thus, Christians who are confirmed receive an increase in the grace of the Holy Spirit by which they have the honor and responsibility of expanding the kingdom of God and defending the teaching of Christ the King not through the sword but through charity
• The character of confirmation is essentially a missionary character

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

• Isaiah 11:2-3 - the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and courage, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.

1. Wisdom
2. Counsel
3. Courage
4. Understanding
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord

Rite of Confirmation

• The Rite of Confirmation ordinarily takes place in the context of Mass
• Liturgy of the Word
• Renewal of Baptismal Vows whereby an individual makes the baptismal promises their own
• Laying on of hands and prayer for the poring out of the Holy Spirit
• Anointing with Chrism
• Prayer of the faithful
• Liturgy of the Eucharist