RCIA Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation 1 Session 19: Baptism - PDF document

10/23/2019 RCIA Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation 1 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Baptism Introduction • Jesus commanded the Eleven to baptize all the nations – “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) – We still use this formula today Jesus saying farewell to his eleven remaining disciples 2 (1308–1311) from the Maesta by Duccio 2 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Baptism Introduction • Water is poured on the head (or person entirely immersed) while being baptized 3 3 1

10/23/2019 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Baptism Introduction • Usually done by an ordained minister • Sometimes another person deputed by bishop • In an emergency any person can baptize – Must intend what the church intends – Use proper form (prayer) & matter (water) • Baptism cannot be repeated 4 4 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Baptism Necessity of Baptism • Revealed for our salvation • God can save outside of Baptism – Baptism of martyrdom • Those who suffer death for the sake of their faith The martyrdom of 5 St. Alban of Britain 5 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Baptism Necessity of Baptism (cont.) • God can save outside of Baptism (cont.) – Baptism of desire • Catechumens • Those who seek the truth and do the will of God according to their understanding of it • Every person must have some sort of opportunity for salvation Jesus Christ and the Good Thief by Tiziano Vecellio (Titian) and assistants 6 (1489/90-1576) 6 2

10/23/2019 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Baptism Grace of Baptism • Union with Christ brings… – forgiveness of sins – new birth thru the Holy Spirit The Promise (contemporary) 7 by Morgan Weistling 7 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Baptism Grace of Baptism (cont.) • Forgiveness of sins – Personal – Original – All punishment due to sin • Aid in struggle against sin – Suffering, illness, death, concupiscence not erased 8 8 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Baptism Grace of Baptism (cont.) • Rebirth as adopted children of God – A partaker of the divine nature (see 2 Pt 1:4) – A member of Christ (see 1 Cor 6:15) – A fellow heir with Christ (see Rom 8:17) – God is truly his Father – On earth, this family is the Church • We are all brothers and sisters • Priesthood: called to witness to the faith Baptism of the Christ (contemporary) by Daniel Bonnell 9 9 3

10/23/2019 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Baptism Grace of Baptism (cont.) • Sanctifying grace received – God’s divine life given to each person – Faith, hope, and love infused into the soul • Helps acquire other virtues with God’s help 10 10 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Baptism Grace of Baptism (cont.) • Indelible mark received – A child of God for all eternity – Baptism, thus, cannot be repeated Catacombs of San Callisto: baptism in a 3rd-century painting 11 11 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Infant Baptism Introduction • Baptism of infants and children practiced since the beginning of Christianity – Baptism of entire households (Acts 18:8) – Faith of parent brings about healing of child (Mk 9:17-27) – Second century writers refer to it 12 12 4

10/23/2019 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Infant Baptism Introduction • Community needed to provide faith required – Faith is God’s initiative – Parents make act of faith as divine responsibility • Must nurture, educate kids • With help of God, help children have faith • The first faith community children have 13 13 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Infant Baptism Responsibility of the Parents • Primary responsibility of being examples of faith • Education in the faith • See that child receives Confirmation, Eucharist • Good words & examples of family friends helps • Keep the light burning brightly 14 14 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Infant Baptism Responsibility of the Church • “All of us who have in any way prepared them to meet Christ today must always be ready to assist them” ( RCIA 312) 15 15 5

10/23/2019 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Confirmation Introduction • The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, the awaited Messiah • Jesus promised an outpour- ing of the Spirit on believers – First fulfilled: Pentecost – Then apostles laid hands on the baptized – Became “Confirmation” 16 16 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Confirmation Grace of Confirmation • Completes baptismal grace • Special outpouring of the Spirit • Imparts indelible spiritual mark – Thus, can never be repeated – Totally belong to Christ – Exercise authority of Christ – Promised divine protection 17 17 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Confirmation Grace of Confirmation (cont.) • A closer union with Christ – More perfectly united to God and His church – Gifts of the Spirit increased – Power to “be not afraid” • Spread and defend the Christian faith • May even be required to become a martyr 18 18 6

10/23/2019 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Confirmation Requirements of Confirmation • Profession of faith • State of grace (no mortal sin) • Intend to receive sacrament • Prepared to be disciples and witnesses • A sponsor (assists in living the Christian life) – Usually one of the baptismal godparents 19 19 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Confirmation Requirements of Confirmation (cont.) • Bishop is ordinary minister of Confirmation • Priest may be given authority to do so – RCIA, danger of death – Chrism blessed by bishop used 20 20 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Confirmation The Rite of Confirmation • Immediately follows Baptism (at Easter Vigil) – Priest asks for prayers from all the faithful for outpouring of the Spirit – Priest prays for seven gifts of the Holy Spirit – Anointing with chrism on forehead (sign of the cross) • Oil cleanses, limbers, heals, soothes • Oil gives beauty, health, strength • Oil’s smell: “the aroma of Christ” (2 Cor 2:15) – “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit” 21 21 7

10/23/2019 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Confirmation The Power of the Spirit • Reveals God to us • Inspires Scripture and Tradition • Guides and protects the Church • Unites Church in heaven and on earth • Responsible for the Church’s mission on earth 22 Not titled (contemporary) by Redko Alfiya 22 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation Confirmation The Power of the Spirit • Gives virtues and gifts to help us live well • Fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, generosity, modesty, chastity (Gal 5:22-23) 23 23 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation The Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Purpose of the Gifts • Wisdom – Detaches us from the world – Makes us more responsive to the things of God – Gives deeper insight into the value of faith The Anointing of Solomon 24 (c. 1630) by Cornelis de Vos 24 8

10/23/2019 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation The Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Purpose of the Gifts (cont.) • Understanding – Grasp more clearly the truths of faith – Gives eyes to our faith 25 25 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation The Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Purpose of the Gifts (cont.) • Counsel – Distinguish good and evil and choose the good 26 26 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation The Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Purpose of the Gifts (cont.) • Fortitude – Courage to seek God, reject what stands in the way Fortitude (1470) 27 by Sandro Botticelli 27 9

10/23/2019 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation The Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Purpose of the Gifts (cont.) • Knowledge – Tells us path of virtue – Warns us of the dangers faced in seeking Heaven 28 28 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation The Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Purpose of the Gifts (cont.) • Piety – Confidence in God to serve with joy 29 29 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation The Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Purpose of the Gifts (cont.) • Fear of the Lord – Respect for God – Horror and dread of offending the One we love 30 30 10

10/23/2019 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Effects of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Grow in the life of grace • Become truly holy • Must be manifest in daily acts of love of God and neighbor – To renew the face of the earth (Ps 104:30) 31 31 Session 19: Baptism and Confirmation 32 32 11