The symbols
Symbols are very important in every Sacrament because sacraments themselves are a symbol of how to get closer to God through Jesus. God is an invisible mysterious creator and he is made present through the
symbols, rituals and traditions of the sacraments. This
is the principle of Sacramentality because God uses visible signs to convey His
Grace which cannot be seen
(Martin, 2012).It is important think of Jesus as the first or primordial
Sacrament as stated by Fr Cain (Sacraments, 2009) because Jesus was the original symbol for God.
Baptism is the first sacrament and opens the gate to receiving sanctifying grace. Catholics can hear see and feel the water being poured during baptism and this is a symbol of washing away the sins. A clear example of God being made present through a sacrament and changing someone and helping them to grow (Wedd, 2014). The symbols used in sacraments are another way that God is being made visible because symbols serve as doorway to deeper understanding.
Catholic Baptism is marked by specific signs and symbols that have a particular meaning for us. These signs and symbols are:
Liturgical colours- Gold or White
These are the festival colors and denote happy times. They are used at Christmas
and Easter, on many of the great saints' days (except when red is considered more
suitable) and on all occasions of great significance to individual Christian people
such as Baptism, Confirmation, Weddings or Ordination.
Water signifying the sanctifying washing away of sin and the fostering of the birth of a new life in Christ.
Oil of Baptism
This is rubbed on the chest to give us strength.
Chrism- also used at Confirmation which is rubbed on the crown or forehead signifying that we are sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Baptismal Candle reminds us that the light of Christ has entered our lives and the flame symbolises the flame of faith which should burn throughout our lives.
The White Garment signifies that the newly baptised has put on Christ and has risen with Christ.
(The New Catholic Answer Bible, 2005)
This site offers another description- Together at the Alter
Baptism is the first sacrament and opens the gate to receiving sanctifying grace. Catholics can hear see and feel the water being poured during baptism and this is a symbol of washing away the sins. A clear example of God being made present through a sacrament and changing someone and helping them to grow (Wedd, 2014). The symbols used in sacraments are another way that God is being made visible because symbols serve as doorway to deeper understanding.
Catholic Baptism is marked by specific signs and symbols that have a particular meaning for us. These signs and symbols are:
Liturgical colours- Gold or White
These are the festival colors and denote happy times. They are used at Christmas
and Easter, on many of the great saints' days (except when red is considered more
suitable) and on all occasions of great significance to individual Christian people
such as Baptism, Confirmation, Weddings or Ordination.
Water signifying the sanctifying washing away of sin and the fostering of the birth of a new life in Christ.
Oil of Baptism
This is rubbed on the chest to give us strength.
Chrism- also used at Confirmation which is rubbed on the crown or forehead signifying that we are sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Baptismal Candle reminds us that the light of Christ has entered our lives and the flame symbolises the flame of faith which should burn throughout our lives.
The White Garment signifies that the newly baptised has put on Christ and has risen with Christ.
(The New Catholic Answer Bible, 2005)
This site offers another description- Together at the Alter
For a deeper understanding, here is some more information below:
While these gifts are not visible to the human eye, we come to understand them through the visible, tangible signs used in the sacrament.
Water
“…God uses the sacrament of water to give his divine life to those who believe in him.”
“…cleanse him from sin in a new birth to innocence by water and the Spirit.”
- From the rite of baptism.
In baptism we “pass through water” - a sign of our participation in the death of Christ and his emergence into freedom. Freed from the power of evil; the power of God’s life and love will prevail.
Paschal candle
“Receive the light of Christ.”
“These children have been enlightened by Christ. They are to walk always as children of the Light.”
- from the rite of Baptism
At baptism, a small candle for each child is lit from the Paschal candle. The priest says, “Receive the light of Christ.” Parents are instructed to keep the light burning brightly and the flame of faith alive in their child’s heart.
White garment
“You have become a new creation , and have clothed yourself in Christ.” -From the rite of baptism
“Quickly, bring out a robe – the best one- and put it on him”
– Luke 15:22
A sign of acceptance and belonging in the community of faith. The garment is white, like Jesus’ light, and covers us from head to toe. The child is dressed in this garment during the rite of baptism – a visible sign of Jesus’ light and life now present in the child.
Oil of the Catechumen
“Bless this oil and give wisdom and strength to all who are anointed with it in preparation for their baptism.”
-From the blessing of the oil of catechumens
“…may he strengthen you with his power…”
-From the rite of baptism
Oil softens, heals, comforts, and protects. The oil of catechumens is applied to the child’s chest with the sign of the cross. This oil, a sign of strength, imparts the power to resist evil. The child, strengthened by the gift of God’s Spirit, will be guided and guarded by God on every step of life’s journey.
The chrism is composed of olive oil and balsam(fragrance). Perfumed oil has the unique quality of both attracting others and setting apart the one who is using it. This oil, placed on the crown of the head, calls us to be the “good fragrance of Christ.” 2 Cor 2:15
Direct quotes from (Htlenexa.org, 2015)
While these gifts are not visible to the human eye, we come to understand them through the visible, tangible signs used in the sacrament.
Water
“…God uses the sacrament of water to give his divine life to those who believe in him.”
“…cleanse him from sin in a new birth to innocence by water and the Spirit.”
- From the rite of baptism.
In baptism we “pass through water” - a sign of our participation in the death of Christ and his emergence into freedom. Freed from the power of evil; the power of God’s life and love will prevail.
Paschal candle
“Receive the light of Christ.”
“These children have been enlightened by Christ. They are to walk always as children of the Light.”
- from the rite of Baptism
At baptism, a small candle for each child is lit from the Paschal candle. The priest says, “Receive the light of Christ.” Parents are instructed to keep the light burning brightly and the flame of faith alive in their child’s heart.
White garment
“You have become a new creation , and have clothed yourself in Christ.” -From the rite of baptism
“Quickly, bring out a robe – the best one- and put it on him”
– Luke 15:22
A sign of acceptance and belonging in the community of faith. The garment is white, like Jesus’ light, and covers us from head to toe. The child is dressed in this garment during the rite of baptism – a visible sign of Jesus’ light and life now present in the child.
Oil of the Catechumen
“Bless this oil and give wisdom and strength to all who are anointed with it in preparation for their baptism.”
-From the blessing of the oil of catechumens
“…may he strengthen you with his power…”
-From the rite of baptism
Oil softens, heals, comforts, and protects. The oil of catechumens is applied to the child’s chest with the sign of the cross. This oil, a sign of strength, imparts the power to resist evil. The child, strengthened by the gift of God’s Spirit, will be guided and guarded by God on every step of life’s journey.
The chrism is composed of olive oil and balsam(fragrance). Perfumed oil has the unique quality of both attracting others and setting apart the one who is using it. This oil, placed on the crown of the head, calls us to be the “good fragrance of Christ.” 2 Cor 2:15
Direct quotes from (Htlenexa.org, 2015)