Baptism: Gateway to the sacraments, necessary for salvation

“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.”

This opening paragraph of the section on baptism in the Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly presents what the Church is trying to accomplish through the sacrament of baptism, said Msgr. Michael Heras, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Corpus Christi.

Jesus began His public life after asking John to baptize Him in the River Jordan. Jesus of course was without sin, and did not need to be baptized by John but he insisted, in order “to fulfill all righteousness.”

After his resurrection, Christ said to His apostles, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

In 2012, the Church will observe the Baptism of Our Lord on Monday, Jan. 9.  Historically, Jesus’ baptism has been celebrated on the octave day of Epiphany, or Jan. 13. In the United States, the bishops transferred Epiphany from Jan. 6 to the Sunday after, or Jan. 8, and the Baptism of the Lord will be the following day.

While the Feast Day of the Lord’s Baptism can be changed, the requirements for the sacrament are clearly spelled out in the Catechism and the laws of the Church. How a parish carries out its mission of baptism also varies but must be consistent with the Canons.

According to Canon Law, “the parents of an infant to be baptized and those who are to undertake the function of sponsor are to be instructed properly on the meaning of this sacrament and the obligations attached to it. The pastor personally or through others is to take care that the parents are properly instructed through both pastoral advice and common prayer, bringing several families together and, where possible, visiting them.”

Our Lady of Perpetual Help began a new approach to reaching out to the faithful in administering the sacrament of Baptism. Responding to Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey’s call for parish renewal, in December 2010, Msgr. Heras and his staff began to review all parish programs.

Prior to that time, the preparation for baptism required by the Canons was done in a group setting, but the parish realized that only 30 percent of the initial participants actually followed through with baptism. The parish moved to a face-to-face program, feeling the group option was too impersonal. Baptisms have tripled month-to-month since moving from Mass to individual meetings.

The parish’s five candidates for the deaconate and their wives became sponsor couples and take turns in training perspective parents and Godparents on a more personal level. They meet in the church or in the parents or Godparents homes and explain the requirements of the Catechism.

The Catholic Church generally practices infant baptism, although from early times adult baptism was a common practice, especially for those who lack catechesis. According to the Catechism, “Since the earliest times, Baptism has been administered to children, for it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized in the faith of the Church.” 

Canon law says that parents are obligated to make sure their infant children are baptized “as soon as possible after the birth.” Shortly after the child’s birth, or even before the birth, they should request from their pastor to baptize their child and they must be “prepared properly for it.”

Within two to three business days of receiving an inquiry for a baptism, one of the sponsors at Our Lady of Perpetual Help contacts the family. At the initial meeting, they tell them the requirements for parents and Godparents. They must be living sacramental lives; be practicing Catholics; and have proof of all sacraments.

“We walk them through baptism and guide them on Rite of Baptism. Sometimes they hear words but do not understand significance,” said Deacon Ron Martinez, who is in charge of the program for baptism.

“We give them background, explain symbols such as the white garment; tracing of the cross on forehead with two different oils blessed by the bishop; and the blessing of exorcism releasing the child from sin making child open to receiving the Holy Spirit,” Deacon Martinez, said.

According to the Catechism, “The white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has ‘put on Christ,’ has risen with Christ.” The anointing with sacred chrism signifies “the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one ‘anointed’ by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king.”

“Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil,” the Catechism says. “One or more exorcisms are pronounced over the candidate. The celebrant then anoints him with the oil of catechumens, or lays his hands on him, and he explicitly renounces Satan.”

The Catechism continues, “The baptismal water is consecrated by a prayer of epiclesis (either at this moment or at the Easter Vigil). The Church asks God that through his Son the power of the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the water, so that those who will be baptized in it may be ‘born of water and the Spirit.’”

The sponsoring couples usually hold two to three meetings with parents and Godparents, depending on their level of knowledge. Meetings last from one and a half to two hours. If they have baptized a child within the previous two years, the classes are not required.

They “open-up” to the sponsors, something they could no do in a big class, Deacon Martinez said. They work with Godparents to bring them into full communion, if need be. Before, when the parish had mass meetings, the couples would hear the requirements and quietly slip away.  In face-to-face meetings they are evangelized.

Godparents assist the parents at an infant baptism. They also help “the baptized person to lead a Christian life.” If candidates for Godparents do not meet the requirements they are informed of this fact in a pastoral manner.

The Canons of the Church require only one male or one female Godparent, or one of each.  To be a Godparent, a person must be at least 16 years of age. They must be confirmed Catholics and have already received the sacrament of the Eucharist. They must lead a life of faith.

The father or mother of the one being baptized cannot also serve as the child’s Godparent. A baptized person who is not Catholic can participate as a witness of the baptism alongside the Godparent, but not as a sponsor.

“We’re one big church, somewhere in this family we can find sponsors,” Arnold Marcha, one of the sponsors at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, said. If need be, the sponsors step in as Godparents.

Three baptisms were held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on the Saturday before the start of Advent. Evan, infant son of Eli and Jessica Castañeda, was one of those baptized. Jessica Castañeda is a lifelong member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, having been baptized, confirmed, made first communion and married at the parish. The couple already baptized their first son at the parish.

Msgr. Heras, in keeping with the Catechism, performed the baptism by pouring the water three times over the baby’s head, while speaking the words, “Evan, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

“It is very important to have family to celebrate baptism, to guide us and to continue in his faith,” Eli Castañeda said.

“We anoint him to be part of God’s kingdom and part of the Catholic faith. To receive the Holy Spirit,” said Scott Manvel, who along with his wife Thelma, served as Godparents.

Baptisms are held after every Mass, usually from three to seven, but the parish does not hold baptisms during solemn times such as Lent or Advent. 

After the baptism, the sponsors at Our Lady of Perpetual Help offer to continue to assist the parents in the formation of their children. Baptism often “opens the door” for co validation of marriages and RCIA, Arnold Marcha’s wife Pat said. 

“Babies bring parents back to the church,” she said. “Its their responsibility to get their children to Heaven. They must live by example—become church goers.”

The baby is like the center of an octopus; its tentacles bring in other relatives, Martinez said.

Indeed, the Catechism affirms that, “Where infant baptism has become the form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated, it has become a single act encapsulating the preparatory stages of Christian initiation in a very abridged way. By its very nature infant Baptism requires a post-baptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after baptism, but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth.”