The Sacrament of Baptism in the Catechism of the Catholic Church
The sacrament of baptism, administered by a validly ordained priest, bishop or deacon, is part of the sacraments of Christian initiation, along with confirmation and the Eucharist.
This sacrament is addressed specifically in Article 1 of the second section of the catechism on the seven sacraments of the Church, numbers 1213 to 1284.
Discover the main questions and answers around baptism from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
What is this sacrament called?
The Sacrament of Baptism has several names.
There is, of course, baptism, from the verb to baptize, signifying dive or immerse (No. 1214). One can also speak of the bath of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, because “it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit” (No. 1215). This bath is called enlightenment, because those who “receive this teaching have an enlightened mind” (No. 1216). This number adds that the Word (i.e. God) is the “true light that illuminates every man.”
How is the Sacrament of Baptism celebrated?
The celebration of baptism is discussed in numbers 1229 to 1245, and in number 1278.
Number 1278 explains the rite of baptism, by which the person who is going to be baptized is immersed in the death and resurrection of Christ. This number tells us that “The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water on his head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” The sacrament of baptism provides for an initiation: postbaptismal catechumenate for children (No. 1231) or catechumenate for adults (No. 1233)
The sign of the Cross marks the imprint of Christ on the newly baptized (No. 1235)
Baptism allows “the sacramental entry into the life of faith” (No. 1236)
Baptism means freedom from sin (No. 1237).
The baptized person is anointed with the Holy Spirit by the anointing of the holy chrism (No. 1241).
The white garment symbolizes that the baptized person “put on Christ” (No. 1243).
Who can be baptized?
Any person not yet baptized is “capable of receiving baptism,” Catechism number 1246 tells us.
Let us add that baptism can be for a baby (or child), or an adult, and that there is no age to be baptized. The baptism of children is addressed in the numbers 1250 to 1252 of the Catechism, and the baptism for adults in the numbers 1247 to 1249.
Who can baptize?
The ordained minister, namely a bishop, priest, or deacon, may baptize. At least that's what catechism number 1256 tells us. There is, however, an exception in which a baptized (or unbaptized) person may baptize. The numbers 1256 and 1284 say “in case of necessity” but in practice this term often refers to a danger of death.
Number 1256 says: “In case of necessity, anyone, even a non-baptized person, with the required intention, can baptize, by using the Trinitarian baptismal formula. The intention required is to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes. The Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation.”
The need for baptism
The need for baptism is particularly discussed in numbers 1257 to 1261 of the Catechism. “The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.” (No. 1257).
Number 1258 shows that “those who suffer death because of faith, without having received baptism, are baptized by their death.” Number 1259 evokes the salvation of catechumens (adults who are preparing for baptism) who die before their baptism: “For catechumens who die before their baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins and charity, assures them of the salvation they could not receive through the sacrament. ”
Number 1261 deals with a more difficult subject: the death of children before their baptism. This number recalls the mercy of God and the tenderness of Jesus towards children.
The grace of baptism
The grace of baptism is particularly discussed in numbers 1262 to 1274 of the Catechism.
We can remember in particular that the two main effects of baptism are the purification of sins and the new birth in the Holy Spirit (No. 1262). Regarding the purification of sins, it is said in number 1263 that by this sacrament “all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin.”
The grace of baptism also configures other effects: sanctifying grace, which allows the baptized to believe in God and to love him by the theological virtues (faith, hope and charity), to “live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;” (No. 1266) and the mark of the indelible seal of Christ (No. 1272), meaning that the baptized person belongs to God forever and that baptism cannot be removed.
About the new birth, baptism makes the neophyte a “new creation, an adopted son of God,” Catechism number 1265 tells us. Incorporated into the Church, “baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ” (No. 1267) and “share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission” (No. 1268).
Finally, having become a member of the Church, a baptized person no longer belongs to himself, but to Christ, dead and risen, the number 1269 tells us.
Finally, baptism commits the baptized to the apostolate, as number 1270 of the Catechism says: “Reborn as sons of God, [the baptized] must profess before men the faith they have received from God through the Church” and participate in the apostolic and missionary activity of the People of God.”
What is the fruit of baptism?
The fruit of baptism, also called baptismal grace, is addressed in number 1279: “The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ.” (No. 1279).
The commitment of baptism?
Baptism commits the baptized to live the three offices of priest, prophet, and king:
· Priest, with prayer, participation in the Eucharist, and other sacraments
· Prophet, with the proclamation of the gospel and the testimony
· King, serving men and the world
Baptism also commits us to respond to the universal call to holiness.
Can one deny one's baptism?
A person baptized remains baptized for life. Although it may happen that some baptized persons ask to be “de-baptized”, this is not possible, since baptism is indelible (No. 1272). In practice, for some people wishing to deny this sacrament, they can sometimes obtain the inscription “denied their baptism” next to their name in the parish register, but this in no way erases the sacrament of baptism they have received.
Is baptism necessary for salvation?
The numbers 1258 to 1261 and 1281 to 1283 answer this question.
“Those who die for the faith, those who are catechumens, and all those who, without knowing of the Church but acting under the inspiration of grace, seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, can be saved even if they have not been baptized” (No. 1281).
Let us add that the expression “seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, can be saved” was taken up via number 16 of Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, of the Second Vatican Council, which says in this number: “Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.”
In view of this question of salvation, these numbers of the catechism and the Second Vatican Council, it remains important that every baptized person “participates in the apostolic and missionary activity” (No. 1270).
Finally, number 1283 addresses the case of children who died without baptism: “With respect to children who have died without Baptism, the liturgy of the Church invites us to trust in God's mercy and to pray for their salvation.”
With Hozana, rediscover the greatness of baptism!
Hozana offers you different ways to continue your path to holiness following your baptism, with readings of the Gospel of the day or a daily prayer with your guardian angel.
In addition, check out our bio on Saint John Eudes, a great Saint who invites us to rediscover the greatness and dignity of our baptism, and many other role models, who, following their baptism, become Saints.
