Prayers of the faithful followed this. These prayers were not only for the baby, but the parents and godparents also.. These concluded with prayers asking the saints to pray for the child, especially the saint whose name was being taken by the baby---St. Therese.
The Prayer of Exorcism and the Anointing with the Oil of Catechumens followed on from this. The priest prayed to God to deliver the baby from evil and from sin. Although the baby has committed no sin, she has been born into the human family and shares its weakness and sinfulness. Once she is reborn in Christ’s family, she can overcome sin by Christ’s forgiveness and power. During her life she will be helped to fight against the danger of sin.
After the Exorcism, the priest anointed the child on the breast with the oil of Catechums. This is a symbol of anointing, healing, a symbol of something rich, pure and holy. It is a symbol of the strength of Christ which will be with the child. It also means that the child is now a follower of Christ, the ‘anointed’ one.
We then moved to the font where the celebration of the sacrament took place. Here the priest first blessed the water, in which the child was to be baptised. This blessing reminds us of the work of God whose plan it is to sanctify man, body and soul, through water. The priest then asked the parents and godparents to renew their faith. These Baptismal Promises consisted of basic questions of faith to which the parents, godparents and family members replied ‘I do’. We can recall Jesus’ baptism as Mark tells in Chapter 1.9-11 that as soon as Jesus came up out of the water, he saw heaven opening and the spirit came down on him like a dove.
The Baptism now followed during which the priest poured water over the child’s head, while saying the following words “Therese, I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. The most important gesture is the sign of the cross. The cross represents the saving power of the crucifixion. Therese was now a member of the Christian community, having been “christened”. From now on, she will live with the life of Christ, but will need the help of the community to do so.
Water is used in baptism as a sign of the beginning of a new life. It is a symbol of cleansing and nourishment, of life and death. In baptism we ‘die’ to our unredeemed self because of Original Sin and ‘rise’ to the new life of grace.
The baptism was followed by a second anointing. This time the oil used was called ‘Chrism’. This oil is used again at confirmation and also in the ordination of priests. It is the symbol of being chosen for a special task in life. In this case, the child is being called to take up the challenge of living in accordance to the way Christ would have done. The fragrance of chrism symbolises the beauty and dignity of a child of God.
After this the child was clothed in a white garment as a sign of her belonging to the faith, as well as her innocence. It is the sign of purity, of new life.
A candle was then given to the father of the child to light from the Paschal Candle which represents the resurrection of Jesus. It is a sign that Christ shares his life and love with the child. Christians believe that his resurrection is the guarantee of their own change from death to life with God.
Following on this was the Rite of Ephphetha, where the priest touched the child’s ears and mouth. This is a symbolic way of saying that the child’s ears and mouth have been opened to hear and in due course, speak the Word of God.
The Baptismal service came to an end with a procession to the altar where the Our Father was said. The priest then said three blessings:- for the mother, the father and all those present, who will play a central role in making the Christian life possible.
I found this a most moving ceremony and I fully appreciate the responsibilities that even I have, as a cousin to Therese, as she grows up.
My study of Baptism also led me to examine the Baptist’s view of Baptism. Unlike Catholicism, baptism is not a sacrament and infants are not baptised. Baptism is called an “ordinance” which is an observance ordained by Jesus Christ. A person will be at least 14 years of age before he/she is baptised. As such, it is a mature decision and a personal commitment. The Baptist religion emphasises that Baptism does not make you a Christian. Rather Baptists believe that one can only be baptised when they are a Christian believer and are already acting as Christ would and are prepared to continue to live life according to Christian standards.
Instead of promises being made on his behalf, as in the case of infant baptism, the adult makes his own promises to serve and follow Christ in response to the Pastor’s questions. The person being baptised is asked if they promise to follow Christ and to serve him forever in the followers of the Church.
The person being baptised will wear white clothing symbolising a new life of purity and the actual baptism will be a total immersion usually into a baptismal pool. The person enters the pool down steps at one side and is submerged with the help of the pastor. He/she leaves the pool using a second set of stairs, demonstrating that there is no turning back to old ways. This symbolises complete death to sin in drowning and rising to a new life.
The Baptist knows that through his Baptism he belongs to a Christian community that will be his full support.
As with Baptism in the Catholic Church, the new member is now blessed and welcomed into the community.
