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Other names: To be 'born again means to be baptized into the Church oI Christ
2 atter: Water
3 4rm: the set oI words 'I baptize you in the name oI the Father and oI the Son and oI the
Holy Spirit
4 $mb4s:
Cr4ss- When we are baptized we receive the sign oI the cross on our Ioreheads
The Cross is the badge oI the Christian Iaith It is the symbol through which our
salvation is wrought

2 White Garment - the white garment is a symbol oI purity as well as a
maniIestation oI the "new man" White symbolizes that the stain oI Original Sin is no
longer upon the child whose soul is wiped clean by the sacrament oI baptism The
inIant is now a child oI God and that heaven is opened to him/her

3 Oi Of Chrism - symbolizes the seal oI the Holy Spirit

4 Water - water reminds us that it is God who gives us liIe Symbolizes cleansing
and purity Water also washes away our sins

5 Cande - The Iinal symbol in baptism is the giving oI a lighted candle Light, like
water, is essential Ior liIe Without light there could be no liIe on this planet It
particularly symbolizes Faith
5 %he essentias f4r baptism are:
O The matter (water applied)
O Form (the prescribed words)
O The minister (who brings the matter and Iorm together to constitute the sacrament
6 inister: The bish4p 4r past4r, 4r a priest properly delegated, is thereIore the ordinary
minister oI Baptism But in cases oI necessity, when there is danger oI death and an
ordinary minister is unavailable, anyoneman, woman, or child, Catholic or non-
Catholic, atheist, or paganmay and should baptize; that person then becomes the
extraordinary minister oI Baptism


#"&#%$ O# BAP%$
Cathechism/Instruction
O II the person being baptized is under years old, she doesn't have to take catechism
classes (classes that teach what the Roman Catholic church believes) However,
parents and godparents are required to take instruction, as are individuals being
baptized who are more than years old II the parents and godparents already are
practicing Catholics who have been baptized and who have had communion, then the
instruction may be limited to baptismal responsibilities and belieIs only and is very
brieI (usually only a Iew hours) II the parents and godparents are not Catholic, they
must take regular catechism courses over several months to become members oI the
Catholic church (not registered with the individual parish) This is because the parents
and godparents act as sponsors Ior the person to be baptized and are expected to guide
the baptized person in the Catholic tradition and Iaith You usually don't have to
attend this instruction iI you've done it recently (within the past three years) II you
wish a non-Catholic who hasn't received instruction to stand up with you at a baptism,
you may, but they'll be witnesses only At least one godparent must be Catholic
CertiIicates
O Those who wish to sponsor a baptism must request baptismal Iorms Irom the parish
oIIice These Iorms veriIy that the sponsor has met the requirements Ior acting as a
sponsor, which (in addition to the instruction requirements) are as Iollows:
) at least 6 years old
2) practicing Catholic with good standing in the church
3) not oI the same gender as the second godparent
4) have received the sacraments oI baptism, eucharist and conIirmation