Parents, Priest, Godparents, and Child at baptism |
Baptismal Gown |
The first thing that may strike you when you attend a Catholic Baptism is the color white. The gown the baby wears is usually a white garment made of a fairly high quality fabric. The Church is usually decorated with white banners and flowers. The candles around the church are white. The white seen all around the church signifies the purity given through Baptism, the purity from sin. Babies are seen to be clean of sin because they cannot really make their own choices regarding sin. The color white is seen throughout other times of the year in the church. It is quite prevalent during the Christmas season especially.
Child being Baptized |
Baptismal Candle |
During a Catholic Baptism the godparents of the child light candles signifying the presence of the Holy Spirit. The flame is a sign that the person being baptized will be a light to the world and will spread the message of God to others.
Chrism |
Another symbol seen in the Baptism is the oil put on the baby’s forehead. It is drawn on in the shape of a cross. This oil, officially called Chrism, is a symbol that ties the person being baptized to Jesus. He was the anointed one, and the Chrism represents his presence in the child’s life. The oil represents the person’s connection to Jesus’ roles during his time. It gives the person the right to share in the sacrament of Eucharist (37).
Casket Pall |
Catholicism is fairly similar to other Christian religions, but differs from most other religions in our world today. Rastafarians, for example, do not get baptized. This may be due to the act that the Rastafari movement is less organized than Catholicism. Where Rastafari is a religion that is firmly rooted in a specific location, it has no formal hierarchy of leaders that universally guide all Rastafarians. It is much more centered on individual groups and communities. There is no requirement to be accepted into these communities. The gathering where Rastas reason, are not controlled by strict guidelines of form and prerequisites, but the Catholic Church is different. In order to participate fully in the Catholic Church you should be baptized. The Eucharist is not supposed to be received by those who are not baptized within the Catholic Church. This sounds far more exclusive than the Rastas way of life.
Baptismal Font |
These symbols are important in Catholicism. They connect the new member of the church to Christ in more ways than one. The symbols bring deeper meanings regarding Jesus' ministry and teachings into the ceremony of Baptism. The ceremony itself brings the baptized person into the Church and allows them to receive the Eucharist which is one of the most important parts of the faith. The symbols bring together the actions and feelings of the Church.
So you may be wondering why I would focus this post specifically on Baptism. I chose this because many people who are not Catholic may find themselves attending a Catholic Baptism. I wanted to spend my time really focusing on a sacrament that many people outside of the Church may see. It’s is a way the church is seen by others. It’s not a website, but it is something that represents the Church to the outside world. Another reason I chose Baptism is because it is the beginning of one’s journey through the Catholic Church. It is a vital part of the Catholic faith.
Together at Baptism By Joseph E. Payne, C.S.C.
Together at Baptism By Joseph E. Payne, C.S.C.