Baptism

The sacrament of baptism is a doorway into Christian life...

"Where infant Baptism has become the form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated, it has become a single act encapsulating the preparatory stages of Christian initiation in a very abridged way. By its very nature infant Baptism requires a post-baptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after Baptism, but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth..." (CCC 1231)

Baptismal catechesis benefits from drawing on the baptismal rite and actively exploring the symbols of:

• the sign of the cross (a gift and a challenge...)
• water (life-giving and cleansing...)
• oil (strenghtening and healing...)
• light (illuminating and driving out darkness...)
• white garnment (a sign of newness and victory...)
• the community (the setting in which Christ is present...)

Baptism initiates people into Christ’s priestly, prophetic and kingly roles so a creative exploration of these can be very fruitful too. More on these roles can be done at confirmation.

Ideally, the catechesis takes place within the parish community because children will be initiated into the life of prayer, service and worship of that faith community. The preparation should also offer an opportunity to reflect on the choice of godparents.

Even though the "process" of baptismal catechesis is very important, there must also be "content". The latter can be found in:

• Scripture
• in witness (service and evangelisation)
• in the Creed (the profession of faith)
• through lived moral values
• in various liturgies (especially Mass)
• in our life and prayer

RESOURCES:

Books:

• The Rite of Baptism for Children, Geoffrey Chapman, London 
• The Baptism Book, Rite of Infant Baptism, Redemptorist Publications, ISBN 0 85231 164 8
  (Contents: The Rite of Baptism during Mass; The Rite of Baptism for One Child; The Rite of Baptism for Several Children) 
• Sr Mary Bernard Potter SP and Nigel Bavidge, Welcome New Life, Geoffrey Chapman, Leader’s Guide, ISBN 0 225 66745 2 /Continuum; Parents’ Book, ISBN 0 225 66747 9
• Michael Paul Gallagher SJ,“Will Our Children Believe?”,  Veritas, ISBN 1 85390 369 8
• Elizabeth Bookser Barkley, When You Are a Godparent (Handing on the Faith), St Anthony Messenger Press, ISBN 0 86716 447 6

Other:

• Catechism of the Catholic Church on Baptism
• Code of Canon Law on Baptism
• Baptism, Helping your child get the most from life. A CAFÉ resource (includes 2 sessions on video or DVD, a leader’s guide, 6 parent booklets and 6 godparent booklets (extra booklets can be ordered) www.faithcafe.org