Sacred Scripture sees it as "overshadowed" by the Spirit of God: 12 At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness. 38 The mystagogy of the celebration 1234 The meaning and grace of the sacrament of Baptism are clearly seen in the rites of its celebration. Thats why Paul singles out baptism as a sign of conversion. 1279 The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. 10 St. Gregory Of Nazianzus, Oratio 40,3-4:PG 36,361C. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism. LG 10. The Greek word baptizo, on which our word baptize is based, means to dip or plunge something completely into a liquid. This list of the top ten reasons for being Catholic was compiled from lists submitted by individuals, groups and parishes in the Archdiocese of Dubuque during the Year of . In the Eastern liturgies the catechumen turns toward the East and the priest says: "The servant of God, N., is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." They are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that [they] may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light." 21 1225 In his Passover Christ opened to all men the fountain of Baptism. 1 Cor 6:15; 12:27; Rom 8:17. He previously served as assistant editor for 9Marks. This 28-page booklet . 65 Cf. Learn more or donate today at. If one dies in the state of grace, one goes to heaven and receives eternal life. Weve all passed through that moment. (An oratory, as per canon 1223, is another name for a chapelas may be found in a convent, a . A person who loves God above all things else and desires to do all that God wants him to do has "Baptism of desire." This has always been the practice of the Orthodox churches and of many Protestant denominations as well. Jesus' baptism reminds us that we are freed through the waters of baptism and our lives begin anew. Catholics make bold claims. Jesus instituted the sacrament of Baptism to apply to each individual soul the atonement which He made on the Cross for original sin. Simplify this for your child by simply explaining that in Baptism, a baby is welcomed into the church family. 1:2223). 72 Eph 4:25. But in an emergency, anyone can baptizeeven a non-Catholic or non-Christian. 1263 By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin. In the days when the Church was formulating her definition of martyrdom, death at the hands of Christ's enemies was usually quick, if not always merciful. As we'll see, Christ not only commands believers to get baptized, baptism is also a gift he graciously gives for our benefit and blessing. As weve already seen, on the day of Pentecost, those who received the word were baptized and added to the church (Acts 2:41). 58 CIC, can. Baptism Preparation Class Registration. Now thats a bit of a mouthful. The Baptism Of The Lord: From The Jordan To Life In The Spirit, The Catholic Baby Book All Parents Will Love | Book Review. According to Foxe's Book of Martyrs, more people are being killed . Origen, for instance, wrote in the third century that "according to the usage of the Church, baptism is given even to infants" ( Holilies on Leviticus, 8:3:11 [A.D. 244]). THE GRACE OF BAPTISM 1262 The different effects of Baptism are signified by the perceptible elements of the sacramental rite. Baptism Preparation Overview. The faith required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called to develop. Alright kids, why do we go to Mass? We ask a variation of that question every time we arrive at our parish parking lot, usually sweaty and disheveled from wrangling four (soon to be five) children into the van. 1280 Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Though there is plenty of joy and excitement, there can also be feelings of uncertainty and fear. It still would be mortal sin, for example, for an excommunicated Catholic to deliberately ignore fasting on a day like Good Friday. The sacrament of baptism is a sign of God's love and mercy for us. 6:1-9) and washing from sin ( Acts 22:16, 1 Cor. Martyrdom is defined as "the suffering, from a supernatural motive, of death or a mortal wound inflicted out of hatred for Christ, His religion, or a Christian virtue.". By following the gestures and words of this celebration with attentive participation, the faithful are initiated into the riches this sacrament signifies and actually brings about in each newly baptized person. We come into the world with only the natural endowments of human nature. 1255 For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents' help is important. 1:13-14; 2 Cor 1:21-22. Buy Amyhill 10 Pcs Easter Catholic Wooden Standing Cross Set Baptism Centerpieces for Tables Rustic Easter Day Wood Cross for Crafts with 10 Bases for Communion Decor, 5.51 x 7.8 Inches (Brown): . All those who received Christ that day were received by the church. 1236 The proclamation of the Word of God enlightens the candidates and the assembly with the revealed truth and elicits the response of faith, which is inseparable from Baptism. A long period of catechumenate included a series of preparatory rites, which were liturgical landmarks along the path of catechumenal preparation and culminated in the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation. 30 Gal 3:27. Just one hug makes all the sleepless nights worth it. 68 2 Tim 2:5. . LG 17; AG 7; 23. The impression of the baptismal character upon the soul also makes us members of the Church. 206; 788 3. Why is it so important to get your baby baptized? For example, when those who heard Peter preach on Pentecost were convicted of their sin, they asked him what to do, and he urged them to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:3738). The one he gives us in Matthew 28:19. CIC, cann. Also, in the case of an adult, it takes away all mortal and venial sins & the punishment due for them, if the person baptized is truly sorry for them. 1230 This initiation has varied greatly through the centuries according to circumstances. A sacrament is a covenant sign that is appropriate to the promises made by God in his covenant. Take a 1-minute survey to join our mailing list and receive a free ebook in the format of your choosing. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, but it is not the only daily prayer of the Church. The catechism has its proper place here. CIC, cann. 12 Cf. I would suggest that Paul has both in mind. Watch Mario Lopez Get Baptized In The Jordan Saved By The Bell Star Gets Saved! What about those who perhaps don't even know about Baptism? Christians believe that there is one mediator between God and man - namely, Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). 50 Cf. The catechumenate (preparation for Baptism) therefore occupies an important place. Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Lost In The Crowd, Found In The Baptismal Font, The Importance Of Learning To Recognize The Voice Of Those You Love, What Should You Do If Youve Committed A Mortal Sin, The Power Of A Shared Meal: Faith And Family Come Together When We Break Bread, Disagree With Your Priest? Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus' tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them," 64 allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. Liturgy. Intend to do what the Catholic Church does in this sacrament, Pour water upon the head (ordinary tap water is fine in an emergency), Say audibly the words of Baptism while pouring water, similar to: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And the means by which they committed to one another was baptism. Parents who unnecessarily delay or neglect the Baptism of their child become guilty of grave sin. 22 The blood and water that flowed from the pierced side of the crucified Jesus are types of Baptism and the Eucharist, the sacraments of new life. If I had to summarize the main reason for my convictions regarding baptism, this would be it. Catechism of the Catholic ChurchSecond EditionPart TwoThe Celebration of the Christian Mystery Section TwoThe Seven Sacraments of the ChurchCHAPTER ONE THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION ARTICLE 1 THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM 1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua) , 4 and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. 204 1; 849; CCEO, can. My hope in laying out these reasons is that you will find them not only persuasive but also inviting and compelling. Preparation for Baptism leads only to the threshold of new life. If the Son of God pursued baptism, so should we. This initiation into Christian faith and life should dispose the catechumen to receive the gift of God in Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Given once for all Baptism cannot be repeated" (CCC, no. Phil 2:15. IV. It is a darkness where there ought to be light. 12:2324). John 10:1-10 Jesus said:"Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gatebut climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear by Will Wright | Apr 24, 2023 | Confession, Sin. Being baptised with water opens your life to being baptised with the Holy Spirit. Baptism is the initiation into the covenant community and the children of believers have always been included in the covenant community. Baptism formally and publicly enrolls a disciple in the school of Christ. ", Faith in God the Blessed Trinity as the rewarder of the just and the punisher of the wicked and in Jesus Christ as God's own Son and our Redeemer, The willingness to accept all that the Catholic Church teaches. Lk 12:50. We still are inclined to sin because of these effects, and our bodies will still die. The fruit of their commitment to one another was a rich, inviting communion with one another, a communion that inspired awe in outsiders (Acts 2:43). He then gave three supporting instructions that show us how to make disciples. First, we need to go. And, I'm grateful that they did. But even these latterbaptized persons who are severed from actual membership in the Churchstill are subject (as are all people) to Christ and subject to His Church (as are all baptized persons). In baptism those believers bound themselves to Christ and to each other. None of them can mean a thing to us until first the capacity for receiving the other sacraments has been established in the soul by the character of Baptism. WHO CAN RECEIVE BAPTISM? . Being baptized marks a beginning of a journey of faith together with the family of Christian believers. We have Christian brothers and sisters all around the world who are persecuted and killed daily because of their unwillingness to deny Christ. 1248 The catechumenate, or formation of catechumens, aims at bringing their conversion and faith to maturity, in response to the divine initiative and in union with an ecclesial community. SC 37-40. 45 Mk 10:14. But the "taking away" is not a negative removal, like the emptying of a trash can by the garbage collector. 1,61,12:PG 6,421. The Liturgy of the by Fr. What is Sin? SC 67. Rom 8:29; Council of Trent (1547): DS 1609-1619. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. In verse 18, we learn that as a result of his saving death and resurrection, Jesus possesses all authority in heaven and on earth. He is the supreme ruler of the universe, the sovereign of sovereigns. The order is important: make disciples, baptize, teach. From the moment of conception, parents begin to experience all of the emotions that come with welcoming a new life into this world. Jn 19:34; 1 Jn 5:6-8. Easter Sunday remembers one of the greatest miracles to ever happen on the face of this earththe second person of the Blessed Trinity, Jesus, defeats death, rises from the dead, and begins appearing first to Mary Magdalene and then the Apostles. The highest form of substitute for sacramental Baptism is what we call Baptism of blood. The Church asks God that through his Son the power of the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the water, so that those who will be baptized in it may be "born of water and the Spirit." We can understand, then, why it is that the Church insists that babies be baptized as soon as possible after birthas soon as the infant can safely be carried to church. The commitment that those who were baptized on Pentecost made with the church was no mere ticking of a box. He does this because baptism is a visible, tangible, public, dramatic expression of faith in Christ. 87 St. Irenaeus, Dem ap. 3 Reasons to Get Baptized. Phil 2:7. 71 Cf. Mk 16:16. 1. Now we will see that in baptism you commit to Christs people. Here are 7 reasons why baptism is important. 681; 686,1. 17 Cf. Its more explicit in a few other places in Scripture. When a person who loves God knows about Baptism and wants to be baptized, we call that explicit Baptism of desire. 10 II. In accordance with the Lord's will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism. More simply, baptism is a believers act of publicly committing him or herself to Christ and his people by being immersed in water. 32 St. Augustine says of Baptism: "The word is brought to the material element, and it becomes a sacrament." Overall, the prayers present an unabashed Catholic theology regarding the reality of evil and the need for redemption. 60 He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. As children of God, we receive our inheritance at the very moment of our adoption, at the very moment of Baptism. Using this video and the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213-1284, we present 7 reasons to get your baby baptized. 43 Mt 5:14; cf. As you can see, then, baptism publicly identifies someone as a disciple of Jesus. "The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. We understand the need for . Now, what exactly does Jesus mean when he says baptize? By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ. 1261 As regards children who have died without Baptism , the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. We need to go to where the nations are, whether that means crossing the street, crossing town, or crossing an ocean. Not even God, who has bound Himself by irrevocable promise never to take back what He has given. HOW IS THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM CELEBRATED? . Here Jesus addressed his eleven disciples shortly after he died for our sins and rose from the dead. 34 The rites for these stages are to be found in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) . Policies. Further, Jesus himself warns that faith that stays a secret is no faith at all. 84 Cf. He holds the gift out to us hopefully, but each of us must freely accept it. 81 UR 3. As a friend of mine recently remarked: the EF Baptism prayers "don't apologize for themselves." 2. 37 In the Eastern rites the Christian initiation of infants also begins with Baptism followed immediately by Confirmation and the Eucharist, while in the Roman rite it is followed by years of catechesis before being completed later by Confirmation and the Eucharist, the summit of their Christian initiation. 19 Mt 3:15. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ. From the baptismal fonts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes: "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body." In him the baptized are "the light of the world." 83 Cf. Bobby Jamieson (PhD, University of Cambridge) serves as an associate pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. Addressing a congregation of baptized Christians, Paul says that they were buried and raised with Christ in baptism. LG 16; AG 7. Let me give you three reasons. . 11 Roman Missal , Easter Vigil 42: Blessing of Water. Thus prepared, he is able to confess the faith of the Church , to which he will be "entrusted" by Baptism. The responsibilities of parenting are immense and go far beyond meeting the basic needs of every human. It means giving the control of our lives over to Him: Acts 2:38, 41 The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification: enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues; giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit; allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues., by Luke Brown, LPCC | Apr 27, 2023 | Gospels, Love and Relationships. A person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through reception of the three sacraments of Christian initiationbaptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharistbut the process by which one becomes a Catholic can take different forms. 1281 Those who die for the faith, those who are catechumens, and all those who, without knowing of the Church but acting under the inspiration of grace, seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, can be saved even if they have not been baptized (cf. Read on your preferred digital device, including smart phones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. 1276 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" ( Mt 28:19-20). Jn 3:5. 3. Then you need to show it by baptismthats what Jesus said. The Council of Carthage, in 253, condemned the opinion that baptism should be withheld from infants until the eighth day after birth. 867; CCEO, cann. 13 Roman Missal , Easter Vigil 42: Blessing of Water. 679. And publicly expressing that same faith is why you should be baptized too. There is no "if" or "maybe" about those two statements; no way around them. Here then are three reasons to get baptized: (1) to obey Christs command, (2) to publicly profess faith in Christ, and (3) to formally commit yourself to Christ and his people. 67 Indeed, "an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." 1245 The solemn blessing concludes the celebration of Baptism. This Baptism of blood , like the desire for Baptism , brings about the fruits of Baptism without being a sacrament. We lose sanctifying grace. God marks his people by baptism. 6 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15; Cf. the purpose of proclaiming the gospel through publishing That Christ is your Savior should be what youre most excited to tell people. The catechumens should be properly initiated into the mystery of salvation and the practice of the evangelical virtues, and they should be introduced into the life of faith, liturgy, and charity of the People of God by successive sacred rites." By getting baptized, we are essentially putting on a jersey that says Team Jesuswere playing by his rules and following his commands. I don't remember it. Lets look at this verse in context: And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 66 In those who have been reborn nothing remains that would impede their entry into the Kingdom of God, neither Adam's sin, nor personal sin, nor the consequences of sin, the gravest of which is separation from God. Baptism makes a clean sweep of everything. gospel-centered, Bible-centered content. ( Matthew 3:13) At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 85 Cf. There is no further need of absolution from a priest. The ten arguments presented should convince any open-minded Catholic or Protestant that Biblical Christianity and Catholic teaching do not agree. For those who have no opportunity to be baptized, the path to God is the path of love. 24 Cf. Sin is an old archery term in Greek which means to miss the mark. All sin and fall short of the glory of God, as St. Paul says. 125 views, 2 likes, 1 loves, 13 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church: April 30th, 2023: 4th Sunday of Easter Nobody can take this inheritance away. Get a free copy of the ebook What Is the Gospel? by telling us a little bit about yourself! Baptism. Here are five reasons why I think everyone who receives Christ should be baptized: 1. 12:21). In this chapter, Peter is preaching the gospel message on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. . This article contains material adapted and abridged from Father Leo Trese's classic book,The Faith Explained. 1 Cor 6:19; 2 Cor 5:15. 84 The baptismal seal enables and commits Christians to serve God by a vital participation in the holy liturgy of the Church and to exercise their baptismal priesthood by the witness of holy lives and practical charity. The Church has always seen infant Baptism as a great gift and responsibility, something that "accords with [parents'] role as nurturers of the life that God has entrusted to them" (CCC 1251 . To become Jesuss follower is to give your whole life to trusting Jesus, following Jesus, learning and obeying Jesuss teaching, and following Jesuss example. 73 1268 The baptized have become "living stones" to be "built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood." Mt 28:19-20; cf. 78 Just as Baptism is the source of responsibilities and duties, the baptized person also enjoys rights within the Church: to receive the sacraments, to be nourished with the Word of God and to be sustained by the other spiritual helps of the Church. Jesus Modeled Baptism Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. It is an article of Christian faith, defined by the Church, that God gives to every soul He creates sufficient grace to be saved. 85 1274 The Holy Spirit has marked us with the seal of the Lord ("Dominicus character") "for the day of redemption." When I've logged in to watch some of my favorite shows, Ive seen it featured and highlighted on the platform in anticipation. Their agony of mind and body may last for years. Those who know me will often hear me speak about family, faith, and food, when describing the things which I hold most dear. 25 Baptism in the Church 1226 From the very day of Pentecost the Church has celebrated and administered holy Baptism. Edward Looney | Apr 6, 2023 | Movie Reviews and Recommendations. Are you a disciple of Jesus? By Baptism we are given the powerand the obligationto share with Christ in those things which pertain to divine worship: the Mass and the sacraments. by Bobby Jamieson. St. Thomas Aquinas reminded us that the baptism of Jesus by John was purely symbolic, unable to forgive sin or incorporate someone into the family of God. 1241 The anointing with sacred chrism , perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king. 3:SCh 62,32. Gen 1:2. 28:1820). I call it the magical age, the ethereal age, the age of heroes and anythings-possible. He begins his public life after having himself baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan. 19 Jesus' gesture is a manifestation of his self-emptying. St. Josemaria Escriva. LG 11; 41; GS 48; CIC, can. For some of us it was just another year, for others it was the turning point that made every by Will Wright | Apr 14, 2023 | History of the Church, Prayer. 28:19). 5 Roman Catechism II,2,5; Cf. RBC 62. Baptism marks the entrance into the Christian family A new believer in Christ needs a spiritual family, a family of the faith in Jesus. 26 The apostles and their collaborators offer Baptism to anyone who believed in Jesus: Jews, the God-fearing, pagans. 36 1233 Today in all the rites, Latin and Eastern, the Christian initiation of adults begins with their entry into the catechumenate and reaches its culmination in a single celebration of the three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. 868. Looney Gives His Praise For Praise This. Saint Dominics parish in Panama City, Florida, Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213-1284, Why Should You Get Your Baby Baptized? God uses the water of baptism to save usonly in that it links us to Christ and his victory and promises. Gal 4:5-7. CIC, can. 2,2,6:PL 16,444; cf. The answer points towards several tenets of the Catholic faith, such as the existence of original sin, the fact that all mankind has been redeemed by the Incarnation and Christ's subsequent death and resurrection, the meaning of a sacrament and the working of God's grace in our lives on earth. It is to be administered to all disciples of Jesus ( Matt. In addition to providing food and shelter, parents need to be the source of comfort, discipline, and love for our children. But if so, God has not revealed it to us. This beautiful video on Baptism produced by Saint Dominics parish in Panama City, Floridaoffers exceptional insight into the reasons that we should choose to baptize our children. 1. Weve seen that this element of baptism is implicit in Matthew 28:19. because Jesus was baptized and wants us to baptize others. 34 SC 64. Only in a local church can members honor the less-honored (1 Cor. Twenty thousand people fill the Anaheim arena, all glad to be Catholic, all holding hands for the Our Father. 1237 Since Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil, one or more exorcisms are pronounced over the candidate. And then we read, So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41). 1235 The sign of the cross , on the threshold of the celebration, marks with the imprint of Christ the one who is going to belong to him and signifies the grace of the redemption Christ won for us by his cross. 18 Mt 28:19-20; cf. Trent also states: "Justification . At the invocation of each person of the Most Holy Trinity, the priest immerses the candidate in the water and raises him up again. is an important sacrament because Jesus was baptised, and after his resurrection. We can boast of centuries of fantastic art and architecture, from cathedrals to chapels, from paintings to sculpture. Confessing your faith will confirm your faith. 1273 Incorporated into the Church by Baptism, the faithful have received the sacramental character that consecrates them for Christian religious worship. Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples. 10:3233). 3. As well see, Christ not only commands believers to get baptized, baptism is also a gift he graciously gives for our benefit and blessing. 1232 The second Vatican Council restored for the Latin Church "the catechumenate for adults, comprising several distinct steps." 82 An indelible spiritual mark . When the sacrament of Baptism is administered, the spiritual vacuum which we call original sin disappears as God becomes present in the soul, and the soul is caught up into that sharing of God's own life which we call sanctifying grace. 25 St. Ambrose, De sacr. Here is a soul that already is in heaven except for the formality of a few (even though they be numbered a hundred) quickly passing years. 47 AG 14; cf. Acts 2:41; 8:12-13; 10:48; 16:15. Were juggling so many balls as it by Bobby Angel | Apr 6, 2023 | Adoration, April, Eucharist, Family. We also see that baptism commits a Christian to Christs people in 1 Corinthians 12:13. Praise This will be released on the Peacock streaming platform on April 7th. 86 "Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life." CIC, cann. Download The Catholic Baptism Of Bells Defended On The Same Ground Which Supports The Ceremonies Forms And Modes Of Worship Adopted By Many Protestants With An Exhibition Of The Unscriptural Religion Of Protestants In General With Strictures On A Fathers Reasons For Not Having His Children Baptized In Twelve Letters By A Member Of The Universal . 5 I. WHAT IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED? 45 The Latin Church, which reserves admission to Holy Communion to those who have attained the age of reason, expresses the orientation of Baptism to the Eucharist by having the newly baptized child brought to the altar for the praying of the Our Father. Through the Sacraments, God shares his holiness with us so that we, in turn, can make the world holier. 75 1 Pet 2:9. The point to be emphasized, and never to be forgotten, is that we are potentially in heaven the moment we are baptized. The sacrament of Baptism not only gives us sanctifying grace: it also makes us adopted children of God and heirs of heaven. The Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation. Acts 16:15,33; 18:8; 1 Cor 1:16; CDF, instruction, Pastoralis actio : AAS 72 (1980) 1137-1156. You would whip back the answer, "Baptism!" The point needs to be emphasized because many people remember the effects of Baptism only in negative terms: "It takes away original sin.".