Catholic Baptism

Religion has been in society for years, there are different kinds of religions: Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist, Buddhist, Jehovah Witness, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and many more. The ones that have been well known and have been here for many centuries are Catholicism and Protestantism. They been there since Roman Times. Catholicism were here before Protestantism, in world history, both religions are basically the same. It is just a little different between them. For example, their rituals, ceremonies, and especially their baptism.

Baptism, also called Sacrament is the basis of the whole Christian life. Another way of calling it, “ The Washing of Regeneration and Renewal by the Holy Spirit” [Catechism by the Catholic Church Second Edition]. To baptize means to “plunge” or “immerse” into water symbolizes the catechumen’s burial into Christ death from which he rises up by resurrection with him as a “new creature”. “Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift,……. We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called Gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; Grace since it is given even to the guilty. Baptism because sin is buried in the water anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed. Enlightenment because it radiates light, Clothing since it veils our shame, Bath because it washes, and Seal as it is our guard and the sign of God’s Lordship. [St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Oratio 40, 3-4 PG 36, 361C.][ Catechism of the Catholic Church Second Edition].

The baptisms are similar in both Catholicism and Protestantism, but the Catholics have several steps to be officially baptized. The steps are: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Catholic/Christian life. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life. The sacraments of Catholic initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist lay the foundations of every Catholic life. The faithful is born anew by baptism strengthened by the sacrament of confirmation and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. Penance or (Reconciliation) and Anointing of the Sick are sacrament of healing. Jesus forgave sin and healed the sick; his name the Church continues those ministries to the people and the world. Lastly, Holy Orders and Matrimony are sacraments of vocation and focus upon the life experiences of marriage as a natural outflow of love from God and Holy Orders as a image of God service to his people. Holy Orders and Matrimony are only for adults who are getting baptized and married in a Catholic Church.

Confirmation: perfects baptismal grace, it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root more deeply as children of God incorporate the people who are getting baptize people bond with the Church, associate them (people who are baptize) more closely with the mission and help bear witness to the Catholic faith in words accompanied by deeds. A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith be in the state of grace have the intention of receiving the sacrament and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ both within the Church community in the world. “ If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever the Spirit of truth…… The Counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name will teach you all and will remind you of everything I have said to you”. [JN 14:15- 17; 26]

The Holy Eucharist completes Catholic initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmations participate with the whole community Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. “ While they were eating, Jesus took bread gave thanks and broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, ‘ Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then, he took the cup gave thanks and offered it to them saying, ‘ Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood’ of The Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” [MT 26:26-28]

Penance and/or Reconciliation: Through the sacraments of Catholic initiation the new life of Christ. This new life as a child of God can be weakened however, and even lost by sin. The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies has willed that the Catholic Church continue in the power of the Holy Spirit God’s work of healing and salvation. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the Sacrament of Penance and the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. “If you forgive anyone