Tag Archives: Baptism

Twenty Five Quotes From the Saints about Baptism

When we are baptized, we begin our faith journey. For some, it begins as when we are infants. For others, the journey is preceded by a spiritual experience during which we feel called to follow Jesus.

If you are exploring the teachings of the Church, you need to know about the Sacrament of Baptism.

The following quotes will help you ponder the mystery of the Sacrament of Baptism.


1. Our Lord made a covenant with us through baptism in order to give us eternal life.

St. Basil the Great

2. We receive the sacrament of baptism only once because there was only one death and one resurrection for the salvation of the world, and baptism is its symbol.

St. Basil the Great

St. Basil the Great

3. Through the sacrament of baptism you have become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Do not drive away so great a guest by evil conduct and become again a slave to the devil, for your liberty was bought by the blood of Christ.

St. Leo the Great, Pope

St. Leo the Great

4. He who is reborn in baptism is a new man.

St. Peter Damien, Bishop and Doctor


5. Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift. It is a called a gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine of Hippo
Public Domain Image

6. The soul is regenerated in the Sacred waters of baptism and this becomes God’s child.

St. Maximilian Kolbe

St. Maximilian Kolbe
Public Domain Image

7. I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

St. John the Baptist

Rome – The painting of Baptism of Christ by Daniele da Volterra in church San Pietro in Montorio from 16. cent.

8. We baptize our infants, though they are not defiled by sin, so that they too may be given holiness, righteousness; adoption, inheritance, brotherhood with Christ and membership in Him.

St. John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom Icon
Public Domain Image

9. Let your baptism be your armor; your faith , your helmet; your love, your spear; your patient endurance, your analogy (spiritual armor).

St. Ignatius of Antioch

St. Ignatius of Antioch

10. Baptism is the door of the spiritual life and the gateway to the sacraments.

St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Thomas Aquinas

11. I received the Sacrament of Baptism with such joy that only angels could describe!

St. Josephine Bakhita

St. Josephine Bakhita

12. Baptism is a beautiful mystery, revealing Godโ€™s love for us.

St. John Paul II

St. John Paul II
Public Domain Image

13. Through baptism we are introduced to the life of grace.

St. Teresa of Avila

St. Teresa of Avila
Public Domain Image

14. Baptism signifies both a new birth and a new beginning.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine of Hippo
Public Domain Image

15. Baptism is the foundation of Christian life.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem

St. Cyril of Jerusalem

16. Baptism plants the seeds of faith in our hearts.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Bl. Teresa of Calcutta
U.S. Stamp
Public Domain Image

17. In baptism we are made a new creation in Christ.

St. Paul the Apostle

St. Paul the Apostle
Public Domain Image

18. Baptism welcomes us into a family of faith.

St. John XXIII, Pope

St. John XXIII

19. In baptism we are transported into God’s heart.

St. John Paul II


20. Bsptism is a moment where heaven pours out it’s grace.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine of Hippo

21. The Sacrament of Baptism, like Marriage, is both a beginning and an end. It’s the end of a former way of life; the beginning of a new life in God’s grace.

St. John Henry Newman

St. John Henry Newman

22. We who have been reborn through the sacrament of baptism experience intense joy when we feel within us the first stirrings of the Hily Spirit.

St. Hilary, Bishop


23. As a man must be born before he can begin to lead his physical life, so he must be born to lead a divine life. That birth occurs in the sacrament of baptism.

Venerable Fulton Sheen

Venerable Bishop Vulton Sheen

24. If you are eagerly looking for salvation, and you believe in God, you may become acquainted with the Christ of God, and after being initiated (by Baptism) live a happy life.

St. Justin Martyr

St. Justin Marty
by Theophanes the Cretan

25. Baptism cleanses the soul from the pollution of worldly thoughts and inclinations: You will wash me, says the psalmist, and I shall be whiter than snow.

St. Basil the Great

St. Basil the Great

Washed Clean

Baptism

Washed Clean

by living water

The stain

of sin

has been

removed

Redeemed

by the Spririt

My Soul is renewed

ย  No longer

constantly confused

My soul is

as white as snow

All fear and despair

are removed

Faith, Hope and Love

has filled my soul

Born again

by the Spirit

I am called

to love

and serve

the Lord

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John the Baptist, Feast Day June 24




St. John the Baptist Public Domain Image
St. John the Baptist

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist is celebrated on June 24.ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the Sunday after January 6th.ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย ย 

Johnย  the Baptist is the last prophet proclaiming the coming of the Lord. We actually meet John when Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry,

โ€œBlessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.โ€( Luke1: 39)

John was actually about six months older than his cousin Jesus.

The next time we hear of John the Baptist he comes out of the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.ย  Johnย  proclaimed:

โ€œI baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.โ€(Matthew 3: 11)
Baptism of Jesus Public Domain Image
St. John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Public Domain Image

In Matthew 3: 13,ย  Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, โ€œI need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?โ€ But Jesus answered him, โ€œLet it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.โ€

After Jesus had been baptized, the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and a voice from heaven said,

โ€œThis is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.โ€

We learn in Mark 1:14 that it is after the arrest of John the Baptist by King Herod, that Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God and saying, โ€œThe time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near, repent, and believe in the good news.โ€

Why was John arrested? The story is told in Mark 6: 17-29. John was arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, โ€œIt is not lawful for you to have your brotherโ€™s wife.โ€ย  Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so because Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. On Herodโ€™s birthday Herodiasโ€™ own daughter came in and performed a dance that so delighted Herod and his guests that Herod promised her whatever she requested. She went to her mother asking โ€œWhat shall I ask for?โ€ Herodias replied, โ€œThe head of John the Baptist.โ€ย  The girl hurried back to King

St. John the Baptist Public Domain Image
St. John the Baptist
Public Domain Image

Herod saying โ€œI want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.โ€ King Herod was distressed at the request, but because of his oaths in front of guest he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back John the Baptistsโ€™ head. The head, on a silver platter, was given to the girl. In turn the girl gave it to her mother.

When the disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

John the Baptist is most remembered for his call to repentance and baptism. The following is one of his last statements before his death.

Jesus must increase;ย  I must decrease.

Quote of St. John the Baptist
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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How Much Do You Know About The Sacraments Of The Catholic Church?




Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
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There are seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. A sacrament is described as โ€œan outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.โ€

Grace is a gift from God. We can ask for it, but it cannot be forced. God gives us his grace by his own free will. Imagine Christmas. The gifts under the tree are presents freely given. Godโ€™s grace is the present of Godโ€™s presence.

Each sacrament is an opportunity to receive God’s grace (His presence in our life). When we receive the grace of God through the sacraments, we become more open to the presence of God in our life.

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The seven sacraments areย  Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist,ย  Confirmation, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick. Test your knowledge to find out if you understand the sacraments.

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  1. Which sacrament can be received as an infant?
  2. A deacon can be the minister in which sacraments?
  3. The Holy Spirit has three symbols. What are they?
  4. Extreme Unction is another name for which sacrament.
  5. Which sacrament makes us a member of the family of God?
  6. Before receiving the Eucharist, one must be in a state of _________.
  7. To have ones sins absolved, one should receive this sacrament.
  8. Water is the symbol of which sacrament?
  9. A priest or deacon must be a witness to this sacrament.
  10. ย What is another name for the sacrament of Reconciliation.
  11. In which sacrament do we receive the Holy Spirit?
  12. Which three sacraments are called the sacraments of initiation?
  13. Which two sacraments are vocational sacraments?
  14. Which two sacraments are sacraments of healing?
  15. Which sacrament removes the stain of original sin?:
  16. Which sacrament requires an act of contrition?
  17. The presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is also known as what?
  18. There is only one sacrament we are encouraged to receive often, even daily. Which one is it?
  19. In which sacrament do we choose a patron saint?
  20. ย Which sacramentย  must be administered by a bishop not a priest?

Each of the sacraments has a biblical beginningย  Read the biblical text which refers to each sacrament. The last photo you will find the answers to the questions.

Sacrament of Baptism
Sacrament of Baptism

Sacrament of Baptism

Mathew 28:19-20

“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, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Sacrament of Confirmation
Sacrament of Confirmation
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Sacrament of Confirmation

Acts 8:14

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then Peter and John laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
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Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

Matthew 19:3-11

Some Pharisees approached him, and tested him, saying, โ€œIs it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?โ€ He said in reply, โ€œHave you not read that from the beginning the creator made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.โ€

They said to him, โ€œThen why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?โ€ He said to them, โ€œBecause of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, unless the marriage is unlawful, and marries commits adultery.โ€
His disciples said to him. โ€œIf that is the case of a man and his wife, it is better not to marry. He answered, โ€œNot all can accept this word, but only those to whom it is granted.”

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Sacrament of Holy Orders
Sacrament of Holy Orders
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Sacrament of Holy Orders

Mark 3: 13

He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles to be with him and to be sent out and proclaim the message and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter) James, son of Zebadee and John the brother of James (Sons of thunder) and Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew and Mathew and Thomas and James, son of Alphaeses and Thadaeus and Simon the Cananaen and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sacrament of Reconciliation

Reconciliation

John 20:19

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, โ€œPeace be with youโ€.

After he said this he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again โ€œPeace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.”

When he had said this he breathed on them and said to them, โ€œReceive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them,ย  if you retain the sins of any they are retained.”

Sacrament of the Eucharist
Sacrament of the Eucharist
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Eucharist

Mathew 26:26

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it, gave it to the disciples and said โ€œTake and eat, this is my body”.

Then he took a cup and after giving thanks he gave it to them saying โ€œDrink from it all of you for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.ย  I tell you, I will never drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom.”

Sacrament of Annointing of the Sick
Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
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Anointing the sick

Mark 6:7

He called the twelve and began to send them two by two and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff, no bread, no bag, no money in their belts, but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.

He said to them, โ€œWherever you enter a house stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”

So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
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The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church

1. The Sacrament of Baptism is often received as an infant.

2. A deacon may baptize, anoint the sick and witness a marriage.

3. The symbols of the Holy Spirit are wind, fire and a dove.

4. Anointing of the sick is another name for the sacrament formerly known as Extreme Unction.

5. Baptism initiates a person into the family of God.

6. One must be in a state of grace (free from grave sin) to receive the Sacrament or the Eucharist.

7. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation the priest (in the name of Christ) absolves (forgives) the person of his or her sins.

8. Living water is the symbol of Baptism. It must be flowing water.

9. The sacrament of Holy Matrimony must be witnessed by a priest or deacon to be considered a sacramental marriage.

10. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also call the Sacrament of Confession or Penance.

11. We receive the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

12. The sacraments of initiation are Baptism. Eucharist, and Confirmation.

13. The vocational sacraments are Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony.

14. The sacraments of healing are Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.

15. Baptism removes the stain of original sin.

16. Reconciliation requires an Act of Contrition.

17. The belief that the bread and wine in the Eucharist become the body and blood of Jesus after being consecrated by the priest or bishop is known as “The Real Presence.”

18. We are encouraged to receive the Eucharist daily if possible.

19. When receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation we choose a patron saint.

20. Holy Orders must be received from a validly ordained Bishop. Every Catholic bishop can trace his ordination back to the original twelve Apostles.

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Pope Francis Shares Memories Of First Communion With Children




Pope Francis facebook (2)ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  Pope Francis Facebook Image

 

While visiting in a Roman parish Sunday evening, Pope Francis shared with children preparing to receive their First Communion. According to Zenit News Agency, He told them about his own First Communion 70 years ago. Pope Francis also met with little children, the sick and families with children baptized during the year.ย  He then heard confessions and then presided at Mass for Gaudete Sunday (the third Sunday of Advent).
While talking with the children he said,

 

“There are those of you here who are going to make their First Communion. Do you know? This year was the 70th anniversary of my First Communion: 70 years ago I made my First Communion. A long time ago, no? I made it on Oct. 8, 1944.”

Pope Francis said he remembered the occasion “as if it were today.” Pope Francis recalled the catechists who taught him for a full year…both were named Alice. He remembered entering the church with all the children’s hands stuck together and singing. He shared the words of the song, ‘O holy altar, guarded by the Angels, I come to you for the first time.’
Commenting that he would never forget that day he added that he also received Confirmation later on the same day. Pope Francis said to the children, ”

 

 

“You, who will make your First Communion, always remember that day your whole life: the first day that Jesus came in to us. He comes, makes himself one with us, makes himself our food, our nourishment to give us strength.”

 

 

Pope Francis encouraged the children to remember their catechist saying that when the Sister who taught him for Communion died in 1987 he went there and prayed because that Sister brought him close to Jesus. Pope Francis added,

 

“Don’t forget the catechists, all right? Don’t forget the date, O.K.? And every year on the date, go make a good Confession and Communion; all right?”\

 

Pope Francis also met with the families of the recently baptized.ย  To these families Pope Francis said,

 

“In Baptism, you gave the faith, you transmitted the faith through the Sacrament, but after many years, they will do the same with their children, and thus the faith โ€” from the time of Jesus to today — is like a chain that is transmitted by parents. And this is a beautiful responsibility! Donโ€™t forget the day of your Baptism, donโ€™t ever forget it!”

 

 

Pope Francis said that in Argentina it is the custom to baptize children eight days after their birth. He recalled that he was baptized on Christmas day, eight days after his Dec. 17 birthday.
In his blessing he said,

 

“I pray for you. May you have joy, joy with these children, joy in the home, joy in hope, so much joy. And I give you my blessing,”

 

In his final reflection he commented on the cry of a child, saying the cry of a child is God’s voice.

 

This article was originally published on Dec. 15, 2014 by Vicki Scheenstra.

 

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