What is Baptism?
Baptism is the sacrament if initiation that makes a person a member of the Church. It washes away original sin and makes a person part of the Body of Christ.
What is Baptism's form and matter?
It's form is "(Name), I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
It's matter is the pouring of water.
It's matter is the pouring of water.
Who ministers this sacrament?
There are two types of ministers for Baptism.
- Ordinary: an ordained member of the clergy
- deacon, priest, or bishop
- Extraordinary: anyone that can do it correctly with the correct intentions
What is the rite of Baptism?
Baptism begins with the naming and claiming of the child in which the parents give the name in which the child will be baptized by. After the scriptural readings, homily, and intercessions, there is a blessing and invocation of God over baptismal water, and a renunciation of sin and profession of faith by the parents and godparents. Next, the minister baptizes the child by sprinkling, pouring, or fully submerging the child in water three times while saying "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The Explanatory Rites follow which include anointing with chrism, clothing with the white garment, and the lighted candle. The ceremony concludes with a blessing and the child is now a new member of the church.
Effects of Baptism
- removes original and actual sin
- causes New Birth
- incorporates into Christ
- Is the doorway into the Church
- imprints an indelible spiritual mark on the soul