Significance of Baptism for Catholics

Baptism is an important ritual in the Catholic community. This is the start of the child’s journey in his spirituality, and his or her parents, godparents, relatives, and friends are there to welcome him and support him. Beyond this welcoming ritual, baptism carries also with it other deep spiritual meanings and symbolisms that reflect some important aspects of the faith.

In baptism, the Holy Spirit gets to dwell in the child. Thus his spiritual life will be guided by the Holy Spirit, bringing him closer to Christ. This sacrament is a public proclamation that they acknowledge God in their life, and that they need Him in order to get through the challenges in their spiritual life and in other aspects of their life as well. Through baptism, God is honored because the sacrament in itself shows that God is the one powerful and loving enough to cleanse us from our sins.

It was mentioned in the bible that Christ was also baptized in River Jordan to show that being renewed again is possible only through God. Another mention of baptism in the bible is at Colossians 2, where it is said that the child, as he begins his life, can be freed from the sin he was born with, only through Christ. That’s why early on in his life, he should be baptized. Another deep significance of baptism is that during the ceremony, everyone is reminded of their baptism vows to turn away from sin and to acknowledge that sin brings us to death, and that the only way to be resurrected is through faith in Christ.

When the water is poured three times to the child’s forehead, it symbolizes that the child is one with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This special occasion is marked by a whole day or half-day celebration complete with a reception, and all party necessities such as invitations, program and entertainment, baptism favors, and games. While the whole ceremony can be considered simple, the meaning of almost each activity, and every word used, is used to show that public proclamation of the child, and his involvement in the Christian community by becoming a person free from sin, saved only by God, denounces sin in his life, and the Holy Spirit dwells in him.

Baptism is important, sacred, and meaningful as its meaning goes beyond the one hour ceremony. The Catholic community is one with every child during baptism to show their love, support, and belief in one another.