Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist - Essay Example The priest may give a short homily to explain about the reading and to remind the parents and godparents of their responsibilities to the child being baptized. Then the priest announces, â€Å"I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit†. These words relate to the words spoken by Jesus Christ before he ascended into heaven when he commanded the disciples to make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the â€Å"Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit† (Matthew 28:19). The indelible mark of baptism is the â€Å"end of sin and the beginning of goodness† (â€Å"The Catholic Liturgical Library† par. 27). The Significance of the Sign of the Cross, the use of water, the use of oil, the prayers of exorcism, and the white garment in the celebration of the sacrament of Baptism. The sign of the cross reminds us of Christ’s passion and death on the cross and prepares the baptism candidate to partake o f that sacrifice for God and the church. Water becomes â€Å"a rich symbol of grace,† to signify cleansing and being reborn away from a sinful past (â€Å"The Catholic Liturgical Library† par. 19). Oil is for anointing – to heal us from anything that prevents our right relationship with God. The exorcism prayer protects the baptized from evil spirits while preparing him or her to be a part of the church or the People of God. The priest exorcises the candidate from the evil spirit and prepares that physical body to be a temple of the Holy Spirit.