The Meaning of the Symbols and Gestures of Baptism
Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM
The Meaning of the Symbols and Gestures of Baptism
I f we are a Catholic, we have been Baptized. Most of us have attended the Sacrament of Baptism for a baby and/or young adults. But we may get caught up in the ceremony, without taking the time to understand why the symbols and the gestures are performed for this great sacrament .
This audio walks through the ceremony, explaining what is performed so that we can appreciate our own Baptismal promises made during the sacrament and renewed each Easter Sunday.
The Sacrament of Baptism is divided into two components or rights. Its important to understand the significance of Baptism, not so that we can follow along in the ceremony. Rather, it will help us to understand who we are in the eyes of God.
The two components are Preparatory Rights and Explanatory Rights. Listen to the audio to hear about each movement prior to and after one approaches the Baptismal font.
The definition of a Christian is one who shares / and participates in the life of Jesus. We are required to walk in the light. We do so through Baptism, which opens us up to receive the Word of God.
Listen to this audio to understand more fully what Baptism is…and therefore how God sees each and every one of us.
The Baptism of Christ: Italian painter: Paris Paschalinus Bordone: 1535-1540
The painting resides at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
The Meaning of the Symbols and Gestures of Baptism
