RE unit J j.3

Baptism refers to the washing away of the Old life and entering a new one, free of sin.

Main Features:

• Priests talks to the family about the meaning of the sacrament and the responsibility of raising a child as a catholic
• Parents and Godparents mark the child with the sign of the cross on its forehead to show that the child belongs to God
• The priest says a prayer that removes all sin and evil and then anoints the baby
• The parents and God parents say vows which shows that they believe in the Catholic Faith
• Water is poured over the child's head as the priest recites the words, I baptise you in the name of the father the son and the Holy Spirit, Amen
• The child is anointed with the oil of the chrism
• A candle is Lit four the Easter Candle and given to the Godparents to symbolize the Light of Christ.

Why

• Through this sacrament the person becomes a member of the catholic Church
• Baptism shows that the child is now a Christian and ready to live like one
• Baptism washed away original sin and makes them pure
• The Catechism,m teaches that without this sacrament the child cannot receive any other sacrament As this is the basis of the Christian Life
• This sacrament gives the parents strength and help in the bringing up
• It copies the example of Jesus