Talks on the Sacramentals, by Msgr Arthur Tonne - Baptism, Ceremonies of

"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." St. Matthew, 28:19.

A distinguished looking elderly gentleman walked into a florist shop one day.

"I want a beautiful corsage," he said, "not too large, but just about the prettiest one you can make."

He smiled proudly and added:

"It's for my granddaughter; she's having her first date tomorrow."

The florist was interested and cooperative.

"What color are her eyes?" he asked.

"Blue," answered the old gentleman.

"And what kind of dress will she be wearing, do you know?"

"I think it will be a pink one," replied the grandfather.

"How old is the young lady?" asked the florist, as a matter of course.

"Two weeks," replied the grandfather.

"Two weeks?" echoed the dumbfounded florist. "Did I understand you right? A date--a corsage--and only two weeks old?"

"Exactly," smiled the old gentleman. "And I want a corsage that is exactly right. She will never have a more important date than she has tomorrow. My little granddaughter is going to be baptized."

Baptism is indeed the most important date any person will ever have. It is interesting and inspiring to know what takes place on that date and why. The ceremonies of Baptism are some of the most expressive and impressive sacramentals in the Church.

1. After meeting the child at the door of church to show that the doors of heaven are still closed against him, the priest asks: "John, what dost thou ask of the Church of God?" The sponsors answer: "Faith." "What doth faith bring thee to?" continues the priest. The sponsors answer: "Life everlasting." The priest says: "If, therefore, thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself."

2. Three times the priest breathes on the face of the infant, to show that the Holy Spirit is giving the child the power to breathe the supernatural life. It is done three times to show that Baptism is given in the name of the Holy Trinity.

3. With his right thumb the priest makes the sign of the cross on the forehead to show that the child ought never to be ashamed of Jesus Christ; and on the breast to show that he must love Christ crucified.

4. The priest lays his hand on the infant's head and prays that God bend over the child with His protection, that the blessings of heaven descend upon him, and that Satan be driven out.

5. The priest puts a little salt on the tongue of the child. Salt preserves, gives taste to things, and represents wisdom. Here it means that the child is to be preserved from sin, is to have a taste for spiritual things, and is to be fed with divine wisdom.

6. God's minister recites several prayers driving out the devil, making the sign of the cross a number of times to deliver the child from the power of the evil one.

7. Again the priestly hand is laid on the head of the infant, asking God to enlighten the child with His wisdom and cleanse him by divine grace.

8. The stole is placed on the child to admit the little one to the baptismal font. Priest and sponsors recite the Apostles' Creed to show that the child professes the faith of Christ, and the Our Father, to show that only by Baptism does one have the right to call God Father. It is also a reminder to say these prayers often.

9. The priest wets his thumb with spittle and touches the ears and nose of the infant, reminding us of the cure worked by Christ on the deaf and dumb man. (St. Mark, 7:32) For a just cause this ceremony may be omitted.

10. After asking the child to give up Satan, his works and his pomps or boastings, the priest dips his thumb in the oil of catechumens and with it makes a small sign of the cross on the breast and between the shoulders, that the child may love Christ and carry His cross. Oil is a symbol of strength and suppleness.

11. Through its sponsors the child professes his belief in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in the Catholic Church and everything the Church teaches. In answer to the question: "Wilt thou be baptized?" the child answers: "I will."

12. The priest takes baptismal water, pours it three times on the infant's head in the form of a cross, and says: "John, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." The sponsors must hold or touch the child meanwhile.

13. The priest dips his thumb in holy chrism and anoints the crown of the child's head, the most excellent part of its body, consecrating the little one as a child of God.

14. He lays on the infant a small dress or white linen cloth, which represents the glory of the resurrection, the beauty of a soul cleansed of all sin, and especially the innocence and purity which the baptized should preserve throughout life.

15. He also offers a lighted candle to be held by child or sponsor, reminding the newly baptized that the burning faith which he received in Baptism should be kept and increased. The concluding words of the priest to the child are:

"John, go in peace and the Lord be with thee."

The great majority of you were made children of God with these significant ceremonies. You remember nothing of that first and most important date of your life, that meeting between you and Almighty God, when He took you, adopted you as His own child. That is why at First Communion, on missions and retreats, and other outstanding spiritual occasions, we renew our baptismal vows or promises. That is why I advise you this morning to recall these ceremonies and their rich, religious meaning. Realize their importance, their beauty, their inspiration. Resolve again this morning to live up to your Baptism. Amen.