SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
This is the first of all the Sacraments in the Catholic Church, and it is the foundation of and door-opener to all the other sacraments. It is a Sacrament of Initiation, along with Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. it cleanses us of our sins, makes us Christians, children of God and members of God's Church.
WHY IS WATER USED FOR BAPTISM? WHY NOT OIL, FIZZY DRINKS LIKE COCA COLA OR EVEN SAND? WHY USE A SUBSTANCE AT ALL? WHY NOT JUST VERBALLY BAPTISE SOMEONE IN THE NAME OF JESUS? Every sacrament has its matter and form. The matter of baptism is water, not Sprite or Coca Cola. Other sacraments may have blessed oil for them to be valid. The form of baptism are the words, true to Jesus' command: ' I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.' I cannot baptise someone in the name of Jesus because he didn't ask us to do that. In Matthew 28:19 Jesus said clearly: 'Go therefore and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'
WHO CAN BAPTISED?
Nobody can baptise herself or himself. The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the Bishops, Priests and Deacons. However, in danger of death when any of the above are not present, anybody with the right intention may validly administer the Sacrament.
WHEN SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTISED?
As soon as a child is born, she/he is ripe for baptism. Strictly speaking there are no timelines for it but it is recommended that the sacrament of Baptism need not be delayed unnecessarily. For adults who somehow missed being baptised as children, the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is established for them.
WHY NOT BAPTISM BY IMMERSION JUST LIKE JESUS HAD?
Jesus was not only baptised by immersion in water, he was immersed by John in the river Jordan when about the age of 30. It is practically impossible to do that whenever anybody has to be baptised. You don't need to wait until you are 30, to be baptised by John in the river Jordan. The validity of the sacrament is neither dependent on the age of the person being baptised, the location of the place nor on the quantity of water!
HOW IS BAPTISM DONE IN ST CHAD'S?
First of all, you have to get a Baptism Form from the back of the Church or ask anybody to direct you where to get them. After submitting the completed form somebody from the Baptism team will get in touch with you after processing it . It normally takes a couple of weeks from the time you have filled the form, with some meetings with parents and God-parents in-between, before the day of the baptism. Please allow plenty of time for this.