RBC 62. LG 11. And the narrative continues, the jailer "was baptized at once, with all his family."28. 40 Jn 3:5. The baptism of Christ, writes Fr. At the Baptism of newborns the blessing of the mother occupies a special place. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the second century on, and it is quite possible that, from the beginning of the apostolic preaching, when whole "households" received baptism, infants may also have been baptized. It may be performed by sprinkling or pouring water on the head, or by immersing in water either partially or completely. The ritual of baptism in the Catholic Church. Why did Jesus ask to be baptized by John? The catechumen or the godparent is asked: "What do you ask of God's Church?" Mk 16:15-16. 62 Cf. 1245 The solemn blessing concludes the celebration of Baptism. It signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity through configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ. 77 Heb 13:17. The catechism has its proper place here. 56 Cf. Kilian McDonnell, O.S.B., in his study of the topic, The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan: The Trinitarian and Cosmic Order of Salvation (The Liturgical Press, 1996), “was widely discussed in all the currents of theological reflection” in the early Church, “without doubt partly because of the problems it posed.” From this discussion emerged many helpful theological insights. 206; 788 § 3. What can these readings tell us about the meaning of our own baptism? Not only is there a need for instruction after Baptism, but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth. The final line of this Sunday’s reading from Matthew’s gospel offers perhaps a better clue about the meaning of Jesus’s baptism. CIC, cann. "48 "With love and solicitude mother Church already embraces them as her own. In accordance with the Lord's will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism. In the first centuries of the Church, Christian initiation saw considerable development. 69 2 Cor 5:17; 2 Pet 1:4; cf. Fire and Spirit in our Baptism; in the Bread and the Cup, Fire and Holy Spirit!” Christ, the Light of the World, dwelt first in the womb of the Virgin—who was thus “baptized” by her Son—and then in the womb of the Jordan; he emerged from both as the Incarnate Word, the Savior of mankind. 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. 74 1 Pet 2:5. 868. Having been baptized into the Body of Christ, we too are called to his ministry of mercy. The Dispatch 851, 2o; 868. 73 1 Cor 12:13. . Click here to sign up for our newsletter. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity. We Christians will be baptized when beginning to believe in the Lord. . 54 Cf. 86 St. Augustine, Ep. 76 Cf. The only explanation offered by Jesus regarding why he should be baptized by John is: “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”  But that explanation doesn’t get us very far. In Matthew 3:13–17 it says: “Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him. Council of Trent (1546): DS 1514; cf. Baptism is performed in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water. 1,61,12:PG 6,421. 675 § 1. We are a group of North American Catholic moral theologians who come together in friendship to engage each other in theological discussion, to aid one another in our common search for wisdom, and to help one another live lives of discipleship, all in service to the reign of God. "8 Having received in Baptism the Word, "the true light that enlightens every man," the person baptized has been "enlightened," he becomes a "son of light," indeed, he becomes "light" himself:9, Prefigurations of Baptism in the Old Covenant. 1221 But above all, the crossing of the Red Sea, literally the liberation of Israel from the slavery of Egypt, announces the liberation wrought by Baptism: 1222 Finally, Baptism is prefigured in the crossing of the Jordan River by which the People of God received the gift of the land promised to Abraham's descendants, an image of eternal life. The promise of this blessed inheritance is fulfilled in the New Covenant. Phil 2:7. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the second century on, and it is quite possible that, from the beginning of the apostolic preaching, when whole "households" received baptism, infants may also have been baptized.53, 1253 Baptism is the sacrament of faith.54 But faith needs the community of believers. The synoptic gospels recount that John the Baptist baptised Jesus. 1234 The meaning and grace of the sacrament of Baptism are clearly seen in the rites of its celebration. CCEO, can. 681; 686,1. 1259 For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament.