Water in the Baptismal Ceremony

Water in the Baptismal Ceremony

In the baptismal ceremony water is used during the baptism part of the

ceremony. At this point the priest pours blessed water over the

forehead of the baby three times whilst saying, "(Name), I baptize you

in the name of the father, and of the son and of the Holy Spirit."

Water is a powerful symbol. It is also a rich symbol it makes things

clean. It is also a symbol of life and death. Without water plants,

animals and humans would not be able to survive (life). It is a sign

of destruction, causes floods and it can cause death through drowning.

In the sacrament of baptism it is also a sign of life and death. Death

in that it is death to original sin and old life of sin before

baptism. Life in that it is a new life with God as a Christian free

from sin.

In the bible water has taken part in many miracles, including, Noah

and the great flood, Moses and the red sea, Jesus walks on water and

Jesus calms a storm.

The story of Moses and the red sea is very relevant when talking about

Baptism. Before Moses parted the sea he and the Israelites had been

living in their old life of slavery. After they reached the other side

of the water they had begun their new life of freedom. When they

passed through the water death was brought to their old life and they

had begun their new life, just when being baptized. In baptism when

blessed with the water death is brought to the catechumens old life

and they begin their new life.

The White Garment.

In the baptismal ceremony the priest clothes the catechumen with a

white garment, usually a shawl. He then says, "See in this white

garment an outward sign of Christian Dignity." The white garment

represents putting on Christ. The parents, god parents and friends

then promise to, by their words and examples, help the newly baptized

child to bring that dignity unstained into the Heavenly eternal life.