MY EXPERIENCE OF INFANT BAPTISM

INTRODUCTION

The sacraments of initiation are the sacraments of admittance into the one Christian family. In other words, these are the sacraments that earn one the status of membership in the church. The sacraments of initiation are very fundamental in the life of the church just like every other sacraments, however without the sacraments of initiation every other sacrament would not be received validly. The Christian initiation consists of three sacraments which are the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy Eucharist. However, the sacrament of baptism cleanses away original sin and symbolizes a rebirth in Christ.

Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration and initiation into the church that was begun by Jesus, who accepted baptism from John the Baptist and also ordered the Apostles to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). In baptism we die to sin to rise with Christ. However, in this work I will be concerned with catholic baptismal rite for infant initiation, making particular reference to my experiences of infant baptism, my criticism about it and my suggestions for its improvement.

RITE OF INFANT BAPTISM

One of the main effects of baptism is to incorporate a child into the life of Christ and His Church. It is the rite by which initiation takes place. The infant baptism is not meant only for a child whose parents are Catholics. However, since the infant can’t make a decision of his or her own, it is enough for the parents to make arrangement or at least give their consent for the child to be baptized. However, if a child is in danger of death, he or she is to be baptized without delay.

MY EXPERIENCE OF INFANT BAPTISM AS DONE BY …… IN ST JOHN’S PARISH …..

Infant baptism as I experience took place at the left wing of the church where the baptismal font was situated, even though it is movable. The baptism took place after the mass on a Saturday morning. The only people present for the baptism were the parents, godparents and the three children to be baptized and an altar server. The items already prepared for the baptism in addition to the font that is already there included water, pocket ritual, oilstock, candles and a white clothe that looks like a purificator but without a cross on it.

The minister, a visiting priest welcomed the people present and inquired why a certain parent was not present for the son’s baptism. Then by way of introduction, he recaps the importance and necessity of baptism, the duty and obligations of parents and godparents towards the child. He inquired of the proposed names the parents want to give to their children. However, all the proposed names are not saintly, they are divine, favour and miracle. The priest made a suggestion of saintly names for them and the parent accepted. At this point the minister continued the rite from the pocket ritual, he asked series of questions to the parents and godparents from the right and they couldn’t answer, however, the priest told them what to answer to every question he asked from the ritual. Some of these questions included: ‘what do you ask of the church for your children?’ to which they answered: baptism. He went on to admonish the parents and godparents to be responsible for the children and see that they are brought up in the catholic faith, and he asked if godparents are ready to assist the parents in taking responsibility for the proper up-bringing of the children and they all answered in the affirmative.

The minister then mentioned each child’s name while he says that the Christian community welcomes them with joy and that in the name of the church he claims them for Christ by the sign of His cross. At this point, he signed the cross at the forehead of each child and invited the parents and godparents to do same. He read a passage from the gospel according to Mathew. It was about the instruction given by Jesus to his apostles to baptize. The priest gave a brief homily and then a short intercessory prayer at the end of which all answered ‘Lord hear our prayer’. The priest prays that the child be set free from original sin and anoints the baby on the chest with the oil of catechumen. Then he prays and asks that the Lord bestows new life on the baby through the waters of baptism and the Holy Spirit.

He blessed the water, and questions the parents and godparents about the renewal of their faith; their rejection of Satan and his works and his promises, to which all echoed ‘I do’, and a profession of faith to the Trinitarian God was made. After this, the minister asked the mothers to hold the child over the baptismal font while he baptizes the children separately, each with his or her name, saying: “… I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” while pouring water on him/her three times; once at every pause. Again the priest said some prayers from the ritual and anoints the children’s forehead, and placed the white clothe on them, while the mothers were carrying their child, the priest lighted candles and gave to the fathers asking them to receive the light of Christ and keep it flaming. After this, the priest intoned the ‘Our Father’.

A PERSONAL EVALUATION ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE OF INFANT BAPTISM

Baptism is a sacrament of initiation that incorporates one as a member of the church and yet in the exception of the parents and godparents, the church members are not there to witness to this sacrament; the experience of the Church as a community, of people who know each other, has been lost, especially in large modern parishes of highly mobile people. However, on the side of the parents and the catechist, no prior preparation or catechism was done prior to the baptism, as a result the parents do not even know what to answer to the questions from the ritual, and may, most likely, not even know basis for the sacrament of baptism, for them it’s a tradition that a child is to be baptized, but for what reason? They don’t know. Thus those who are responsible for fostering the child’s incorporation into the church are not adequately prepared for it.

MY SUGGESTIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF INFANT BAPTISM

The criticisms call for a reflection on the existent pastoral situations. Firstly, I suggest that the sacrament of baptism should not be left unto the parents, godparents and the priest. Thus, there is a need to promote a sense of Christian community. A good number of the church members should be there, if not for anything, at least to welcome the newly baptized children into the community of God people. The Church is not a factory that manufactures sacraments with the priest as its business representative.

Secondly, If not for any serious reason, I am of the opinion that, a parish priest should not leave his pastoral duties to the care of a visiting priest. However, also to this effect, the parish priests should see that the parishioners are well catechized about the sacraments and other teachings of the church. Thus there is a need for catechetic programs; instructive and formative teachings. The programs are not merely to focus on baptism but on Christian faith in general, not merely for children but especially for adults.

Thirdly, Baptism is not a mere obligation to fulfill, it is not just a mere tradition, therefore, the priest can help the parents to reflect on their obligations, to clarify their motives in requesting baptism, and to deepen their ties with the Church community.

CONCLUSION

   Being the door-way to the other sacraments, the necessity and importance of baptism cannot be underscored in the Christian life. Thus is should be celebrated with the same dignity, care and awareness of the dispositions required and what the sacrament entails. However, as the chief pastor and catechists in their respective catholic communities, it is the work of the parish priests to give an adequate and proper catechesis to the people of God about the teachings and doctrines of the church with special regards to the sacraments.