Nirmala : Hear ! the bell is ringing. Are we having religion now?

Cyril : Yes, Look our teacher is coming.

Teacher : God Bless you ! children

Children : God Bless you ! Teacher

Teacher : Children, let us sing a hymn to the Holy spirit

(Teacher and the whole class sing the Hymn - Come Holy Ghost - creator blest)

Who can say, how all of us can become Catholics?

Nirmala : Teacher I know the answer, I will tell you. We learnt that in grade six. When we were infants we all received baptism. That is how we become Catholics.

Cyril : Teacher, I was baptized when I was a baby, the photograph which had taken on that day is still in our photo album.

Teacher : Very good children, all of us became Catholics because of Baptism. Today I am going to tell you, how the sacrament of Baptism is conferred to a recipient.

Cyril : Teacher, When my baby sister was baptized, I saw father was pouring water on her head.

Teacher : Son, your memory is very good, today I will explain everything clearly. When conferring baptism, water, paschal candle, white garment, Holy oil are used for the sacrament. Did you see those pictures in your 10th Lesson of grade 6 book.

Nirmala : Yes teacher, we saw that. 10 Sacrament of Baptism

Teacher : There is an Order to follow, to confer the sacrament of Baptism.

Patrick : Teacher from where can we see that order? In which book can we find it?

Teacher : Haven't you seen the book which is used by the priest when he is giving different blessings. That is the book which gives the order of the baptism. We call it Ritual.

Baptismal Rite

• In the name of the Father .....................

• Inquiring the (Christian) name of the child from parents

• Informing the responsibilities of parents and God parents by the priest

• Making the sign of the cross on the child's forehead by the priest (parents and God parents) : It symbolizes the salvation given by Jesus on the Cross

• Liturgy of the word and the prayers of the faithful: to respond to the Christian faith, so that those who listened to the word of God will be enlightened

• Invoking the Blessings of the saints

• Prayer of Exorcism : that symbolizes the defeating of satan and the sin

• Anointing with oil of catechumanate

• Priest keeps the hands on the head of the child and pray

• Making the Baptismal promises : parents and God parents, promise on behalf of the infant, to believe in the triune God and reject the satan and his evil acts

• Pouring water on the head of the infant and Baptize the child : This is the most essential and important part of the Baptismal Rite; that is “........... (name) I Baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit” by saying these words water is poured three times on the head of that infant. Through this rite it indicates that the recipient will be Baptized with water and the Holy spirit.

• Anointing with the chrism oil (sacred chrism). The priest will be anointing with the sacred chrism and make the infant a priest, prophet and a king

• Clothing with the white Garment : This symbolizes, that the child who receives Baptism receives the virtues of the life of Jesus Christ.

• Lighting candle from the paschal candle : This symbolizes. that the child will be enlightened by the light of the Risen Christ. Because of that, child should live as a light to the world.

• Blessing of the mother and father

• Final Blessing

Cannon Law about Baptism

There are some articles about the baptism in the code of Cannon Law

• The child should be Baptized in the parish where he/she belongs.

• There should be a valid reason to receive Baptism away from the parish Church.

• The child should be Baptized within the few weeks after he/she was born.

• The parents should be spiritually and physically well prepared for the child's Baptism. (Eg) inform the parish priest in time and get the instruction that is necessary to take up their Christian responsibilities as parents.

• Baptism should be given as soon as possible, for the children who are at the point of death.

• The consent of either parties of the parents or the guardians should be given on behalf of the child and the priest should have confidence on the child who would lead a life of Catholic faith.

• If anybody who receive baptism at the point of death, he/she should promise to fulfill the expectations of the Catholic Doctrine, if he survived.