lesson 13 cl

• Baptism plays an important role in becoming a faithful member of the Church
• One must make a commitment to live by the vows made in Baptism
• Renewing one's Baptismal vows with fervor is essential
• Faith is affirmed to have healing power by Jesus Himself
• A woman with hemorrhage for twelve years was cured by touching Jesus' cloak
• Jesus acknowledged the power that went out from Him when the woman touched His clothes
• The woman's faith was praised by Jesus, saying "Daughter, your faith has saved you"
• Baptism is an encounter of Faith, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles
• Parents and godparents play a crucial role in revealing the value of the Christian community to children being baptized
• Water and Spirit are strong symbols of Baptism, representing immersion into water and openness to the Spirit of Jesus
• Baptism symbolizes burial into Christ's death and rising as a new creature with Him
• Rites of Baptism include:

  • Sign of the Cross symbolizing Christ's redemption
  • Proclamation of the Word of God to enlighten candidates
  • Exorcisms to signify liberation from sin and the devil
  • Baptismal water consecration through prayer
  • Immersion in water three times in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  • Anointing with sacred chrism symbolizing the gift of the Holy Spirit
  • White garment symbolizing putting on Christ
  • Candle symbolizing enlightenment by Christ
  • Solemn blessing concluding the celebration
• St. Kateri Tekakwitha:

  • Her parents died of smallpox, and she was afflicted by the disease
  • She was baptized in Easter of 1676 after being nurtured by Jesuits
  • She devoted her life to God, refusing to marry
  • Despite ridicule, she remained faithful to the Church
  • After her death, her facial scar disappeared, and miracles were attributed to her intercession