The first sacrament of the Catholic Church is Baptism. It is vitae spiritualis ianua, meaning the gateway to life in the Spirit1. Many people consider it to be an initiation to the church, and while they aren’t wrong, its true purpose is so that we may be “born again” as children of God, and heirs to his Kingdom2. In John 3:5-6, Jesus explains this saying, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh, and what is born of spirit is spirit.” In other words, our baptism is our spiritual birth.
The word Baptism is rooted in Greek. Bapto or baptizo mean to wash, or to immerse. The gift of the sacrament of baptism is that it washes away all sin, including the original sin that we as humans inherit when we are born. By being washed clean of our sins we can become closer to God, receive his grace, and become a part of the unity of God’s children, that is the Church. This is why water is used in the process of baptism. It is a symbol; it demonstrates a spiritual cleansing, in a physical, tangible way.
Many Catholic parents elect to baptize their children when they are very young, but adults seek to be baptized into the Catholic faith as well. When someone is baptized, they wear a white garment or baptismal robe, to symbolize the purity and the dignity of their new spiritual birth.
Another symbol used in the process of baptism is oil. There are two different types used during a baptism ceremony to signify God’s continual presence in our life to strengthen, heal and renew us. Being anointed with oil in the sign of the cross distinguishes the newly baptized person as being with Christ, who likewise, was anointed with the spirit at his own baptism in the River Jordan.
Another symbol that plays a key role in baptism is the flame. Each person who is baptized will need their own special candle to be lit with the Paschal candle (also commonly referred to as the Easter Candle). The Paschal Candle represents the light of Christ. The priest will light the baptism candle and present it to the parents and godparents, (or the candidate if they are old enough to hold it) to symbolize the spiritual enlightenment that baptism brings. It is also a reminder that as a new Catholic, we are meant to “let our light shine” and be the “light of the world”. It is a reminder that by living good, honest, and loving lives, we will demonstrate the reasons why others should give their lives to God and join the community of faith that is the church.
Alright, so now we know a bit about the background of baptism, and the symbolism involved... Let’s discuss the real-life logistics involved with getting baptized, or having your child baptized at St. Patrick Church in Kerman!
The process begins by filling out an application at our church Parish Office. For the address and business hours, click here.
To schedule a baptism, you will need to bring the following items with you:
- The original birth certificate of the candidate for baptism.
- The ceremony fee of $50.00
At this time, it is also important to register for the parent and godparent class with a member of our administrative staff as these classes are scheduled based on need. The class is always held at the Main Hall on S. Sixth street, on Fridays at 7PM, and should be completed at least one week prior to the ceremony. Participants may receive a certificate of completion for the pre-baptism class upon request.
Choosing godparents for your child is an important decision. Remember that this person or people are meant to assist you in teaching your children about God, and also to love and support your children throughout their spiritual journey. The church requires prospective godparents to:
- Have been baptized
- Have completed their First Communion
- Be confirmed
- Be over the legal age of 18.
If you choose a couple to fulfill this role, the church also requires that they are married by the Catholic church.
At St. Patrick Church, our priests perform baptisms on Saturdays at 9AM. To view a list of available days to be baptized this year, click here.
References and further reading:
1 The Council of Florence: DS 1314 vitae spiritualis ianua
2 Fanning, William. "Baptism." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 19 Jan. 2020 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm>.
Do you have questions or thoughts about the First Sacrament of Baptism? Post them below, let’s talk.
