Baptism
(entry by Lyse Rowledge – 24th Week in Ordinary Time; Sept 13-18, 2021)
- first sacrament a Christian celebrates, can receive it at any age (sacraments are outward signs of God’s grace)
- takes away all sin (since babies haven’t committed sins, it still takes away original sin, a state we are all born into where we are turned away from God)
- parents and godparents promise to help children keep their baptismal promises and grow in the faith
- given by immersing or pouring water over the forehead of the person to be baptized. THe priest says, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”
The baptized person:
- dies to sin and rises to new life with Christ
- joins the Body of Christ, the Catholic Church, the family of God on earth and in Heaven
- receives sanctifying grace
- receives the Holy Spirit into his/her soul
- becomes priest (makes the world holy), prophet (professes God’s word) and king (is a child of God) like Christ
Although we are only baptized once, we reject sin and renew our baptismal promises (similar to the Apostles’ and Nicene Creed) each year at Easter. We also remember our baptism whenever we bless ourselves with holy water at the entrance to churches, and when we’re sprinkled with holy water during special masses.
Aside from colouring, a baptism placemat is attached (courtesy of flamecreativekids.com). The symbols are supposed to be filled with playdoh, but they could really be decorated with anything.
The symbols represent the following:
Cross = sign of the cross made in oil on the candidate’s head
Dove = Holy Spirit
Heart = God’s love for us
Water = cleansing; being buried with Christ, dying to sin and being born to new life
Candle = being sent out in the light of Christ
Oil = strength and healing
More details are in the “Four symbols of Baptism” as follows:
Baptism Coloring: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7tlctc4pk0wjur3/Baptism_colouring.pdf?dl=0
Baptism Mat: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7lkwig82kkpjcqd/baptism%20mat.pdf?dl=0
Four Symbols of Baptism: https://www.dropbox.com/s/q1g9iz53b59mpv6/Four%20Symbols%20of%20Baptism.pdf?dl=0