Exiit qui seminat

One of the recommendations from our parish survey was to have a bit more "teaching" content about our faith. In that light, we'll be going over each of the 7 sacraments over the next few weeks. We start with the gateway of the Sacraments - Baptism. Baptism is a character sacrament, namely that it gives an indelible and permanent mark on our soul that can't be taken away by anyone or anything (it's also why Baptism happens only once - you can't be "re-baptized", unless the baptism was invalid to begin with). Baptism has three main effects. First, Baptism removes all traces of sin: the Original Sin of Adam and Eve and any personal sin a baptized person has. Baptism also takes away all punishment for sin. Second, Baptism gives us the gift/grace/sacramental character of faith. Baptism is one of the few sacraments that gives a person a particular type of grace. Finally, Baptism gives a person entry into membership of the Church. By being a part of the Church, an individual also enters into our Lord's plan of salvation and gains access to heaven. Regardless if one is an infant or an adult, the one being baptized needs to have a godparent (but if you have two, one must be male and the other female). Godparents are required to be 16 years of age or older, have completed all of their Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion) and if they are married, it must be either in the Church or have a special dispensation to be married outside of the Church. Inherent in the role of godparents (and for parents for that matter), is that a person is living out the life of faith. Often times people are chosen to be godparents as a way of honoring special people in the lives of parents or children. But really the most important aspect is that parents and godparents take seriously the responsibility of raising children in the ways of faith. There is most certainly a responsibility for the one being baptized as well! As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. 1254) states, "For all the baptized, children or adults, faith must grow after Baptism. For this reason the Church celebrates each year at the Easter Vigil the renewal of baptismal promises.  Preparation for Baptism leads only to the threshold of new life. Baptism is the source of that new life in Christ in which the entire Christian life springs forth." In closing, Baptism is not just a rite of passage, but the beginning and the continuation of the faith journey of parents, godparents and the ones being baptized. May we continue to be open to the gift of faith we have received and continuously ask for the grace to live out that faith more fully!

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra