Sacrament of Baptism

 In Living the Liturgy

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.” (Matthew 28:19-20)  

Holy Baptism is the basis or foundation of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door or passage which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as adoptive sons and daughters of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission. (CCC 1213) 

We are reborn because this sacrament is also called “the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit”symbolizes the faithful or believers’ burial into Christ’s death, from which they rise up through Christ’s resurrection, as “a new creature.” (CCC 1214-1215) 

 

The Lord Himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. (CCC 1257) And so, what happens if someone died before receiving the said Sacrament? 

  1. Those who suffer death for the sake of the faith, they are baptized by their death for and with Christ. This Baptism of blood brings about the fruits of Baptism. (CCC 1258) 

 2. For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them of salvation. (CCC 1259) 

 3. As regard to children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all should be saved, and Jesus’ tenderness toward children which caused him to say: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,” allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for these children. (CCC 1261) 

Nevertheless, since Christ died for all, and since all are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of being made partakers, in a way known to God. Everyone who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of His Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity. (CCC 1260) 

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