The Symbols that are present during Baptism
There are five symbols present
during the sacrament of Baptism, while these symbols are not visible to the
human eye, we come to understand them through the visible, tangible signs used
in the sacrament.
Oils:
“When they are anointed with this holy oil make them temples of your glory, radiant with the goodness of life that has its source in you.”-From the blessing of the chrism.
“As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life' -From the blessing of the chrism.
The Oil of Baptism is rubbed on chest of the person being baptised. It symbolises strengthening for the struggles of life ahead. The Oil is a mixture of olive oil and balsam (sweet-smelling ointment) and is also rubbed on the crown of the head. It's significance is the sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The profession of faith which is made on behalf of the child at Baptism will later be confirmed personally by the child in the Sacrament of Confirmation when Oil of Chrism will be used again (Holy Trinity Catholic Church, n.d.).
Baptismal Candle:
“Receive the light of Christ.”
“These children have been enlightened by Christ. They are to walk always as children of the Light.” - From the rite of Baptism
As a sign of the new life a Baptismal candle will be lit using the flame from the Easter Candle which symbolises the light of Christ - the Light of the World. This is the light that darkness cannot overcome. Light warms and encourages, it gives safety and illuminates the way ahead. It can burn and test substances. The baptised person, who has opened their eyes to the light of creation, is now awakened by the flame of faith. They are called to see all things through the eyes of Jesus Christ (Holy Trinity Catholic Church, n.d.).
White Garment:
“You have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ.” -From the rite of baptism
“Quickly, bring out a robe – the best one- and put it on him” – Luke 15:22
The white garment is part of the ceremony to symbolise a person’s new life in Christ. The church wraps new members in a white garment – a sign of acceptance and belonging in the community of faith. The garment is white, like Jesus’ light, and covers us from head to toe. The child is dressed in this garment during the rite of baptism – a visible sign of Jesus’ light and life now present in the child (Holy Trinity Catholic Church, n.d.)
Water:
“…God uses the sacrament of water to give his divine life to those who believe in him.”
“…cleanse him from sin in a new birth to innocence by water and the Spirit.” - From the rite of baptism.
When we reflect on our history we see that the symbol of water was created to cleanse and give new life, for example, the beginning of creation (Gen 1:2), God breathed on the waters of the earth. In the great flood the water marks the end of sin and a new beginning for the people. When the Israelites passed through the Red Sea were free from slavery and into freedom, and the waters of the Jordan, where Jesus was baptised by John and anointed with the Spirit. Water played a large part in the Biblical stories and was used as the sacrament to give new life. In baptism we “pass through water” - a sign of our participation in the death of Christ and his emergence into freedom. Freed from the power of evil; the power of God’s life and love will prevail (Holy Trinity Catholic Church, n.d.).
Cross: The sign of the cross is used at the start of the ceremony and than again at the closing part of the ceremony, it symbolises the person being baptised is entering into the Church and the life of Christ.
Oils:
“When they are anointed with this holy oil make them temples of your glory, radiant with the goodness of life that has its source in you.”-From the blessing of the chrism.
“As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life' -From the blessing of the chrism.
The Oil of Baptism is rubbed on chest of the person being baptised. It symbolises strengthening for the struggles of life ahead. The Oil is a mixture of olive oil and balsam (sweet-smelling ointment) and is also rubbed on the crown of the head. It's significance is the sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The profession of faith which is made on behalf of the child at Baptism will later be confirmed personally by the child in the Sacrament of Confirmation when Oil of Chrism will be used again (Holy Trinity Catholic Church, n.d.).
Baptismal Candle:
“Receive the light of Christ.”
“These children have been enlightened by Christ. They are to walk always as children of the Light.” - From the rite of Baptism
As a sign of the new life a Baptismal candle will be lit using the flame from the Easter Candle which symbolises the light of Christ - the Light of the World. This is the light that darkness cannot overcome. Light warms and encourages, it gives safety and illuminates the way ahead. It can burn and test substances. The baptised person, who has opened their eyes to the light of creation, is now awakened by the flame of faith. They are called to see all things through the eyes of Jesus Christ (Holy Trinity Catholic Church, n.d.).
White Garment:
“You have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ.” -From the rite of baptism
“Quickly, bring out a robe – the best one- and put it on him” – Luke 15:22
The white garment is part of the ceremony to symbolise a person’s new life in Christ. The church wraps new members in a white garment – a sign of acceptance and belonging in the community of faith. The garment is white, like Jesus’ light, and covers us from head to toe. The child is dressed in this garment during the rite of baptism – a visible sign of Jesus’ light and life now present in the child (Holy Trinity Catholic Church, n.d.)
Water:
“…God uses the sacrament of water to give his divine life to those who believe in him.”
“…cleanse him from sin in a new birth to innocence by water and the Spirit.” - From the rite of baptism.
When we reflect on our history we see that the symbol of water was created to cleanse and give new life, for example, the beginning of creation (Gen 1:2), God breathed on the waters of the earth. In the great flood the water marks the end of sin and a new beginning for the people. When the Israelites passed through the Red Sea were free from slavery and into freedom, and the waters of the Jordan, where Jesus was baptised by John and anointed with the Spirit. Water played a large part in the Biblical stories and was used as the sacrament to give new life. In baptism we “pass through water” - a sign of our participation in the death of Christ and his emergence into freedom. Freed from the power of evil; the power of God’s life and love will prevail (Holy Trinity Catholic Church, n.d.).
Cross: The sign of the cross is used at the start of the ceremony and than again at the closing part of the ceremony, it symbolises the person being baptised is entering into the Church and the life of Christ.