BAPTISM

...is derived from the Greek word, bapto, or baptizo, meaning to wash or to imme
rse. It signifies, therefore, that washing is the essential idea of the sacramen
t.
[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm#XII]
   
...is derived from βαπτισμός (
 mó , noun of
c on from
 ze n), “‘d  ng,
 m
liquid’”.
[http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/baptism]
...is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which one is admitted to members
hip of the Christian Church.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptism]
(Cann. 849 – 878)
849 The gateway to the sacraments and necessary for salvation by actual receptio
n or at least by desire, is validly conferred only by a washing of true water wi
th the proper form of words. Through baptism men and women are freed from sin, a
re reborn as children of God, and, configured to Christ by an indelible characte
r, are incorporated into the Church.
MATTER:
Water - Purifying Symbol of life but also death - Baptism is a sign of New Life
- the Christian is freed from the death of sin. (Poured three times, NOT with th
e sign of the cross).
FORMULA:
"(Name of the subject), I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit." (the "Trinitarian Formula," from Matt 28:19)
MINISTERS:
Ordinary - Bishops, priests, deacons
Extraordinary - Any person, even not baptized, can baptize if he/she has the req
uired intention, the matter and says the formula properly. (lay baptism)
RECIPIENT:
- anyone who is not yet baptized
BIBLICAL BASES:
Matt 28:19 - Jesus commissions the apostles: "Go and make disciples of all natio
ns, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spir
it";
John 3:22; 4:1-2 - Jesus  first disciples baptize other disciples;
Acts 2:38-41; 10:47-48 - new believers are baptized "in the name of Jesus" by Pe
ter & others;
(not just Jesus  own baptism: Mark 1:9-11 & par.)
[http://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Sacraments.htm]
SIGNS & SYMBOLS:
Sign of the Cross – is given by priest, parents and godparents to claim the child
for Christ. (NOT made with water).
Holy Chrism - consecration for the service of God. This oil contains perfume. Th
e candidate is ‘crowned’ as a new Christian – the anointing is on the crown of the hea
d.
-perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit
to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, anointed by the Holy Spirit
and is incorporated into the mission of Christ as King, Prophet and Priest.
White Garment - White the colour for the clothing of the Messiah.
-symbolizes the veiling of our shame of sin and guilt. The person being
baptized wears a white garment to symbolize that he/she put on Christ and has ri
sen with Him. (Gal.3:27)
Candle - Jesus light of the world - lit from the Pascal candle which represents
the resurrection of Jesus
[http://www.logosre.net/GCSE/AQA/factsheets/initiation_facts.htm]
KINDS:
Baptism of blood signifies martyrdom of an unbaptized person for the sake of fai
th, however, baptized by their death for and with Christ.
Baptism of desire is the implicit desire for baptism of water by a person who ma
kes an act of perfect love of God, based on faith and with a sincere sorrow for
one s sins.
[http://www.ewtn.net/library/DOCTRINE/BAPTISM.TXT]
EFFECTS:
- infuses sanctifying grace, supernatural gifts, and virtues (according to the d
isposition of the soul receiving the Sacrament and providing he puts up no obsta
cles), making us true adopted children of God.
- makes the baptized a son/daughter of God, brother/sister of Christ and temple
of the Holy Spirit
- a share into the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ
- incorporation into the Church and share in her mission
- imprints an indelible mark on the soul of the baptized which marks him as God 
s, initiates him into the life of the Church, and allows him to receive the othe
r Sacraments. It is through Baptism that we are born again -- regenerated -- of
water and Spirit and receive new life.
- remits all sins (both original sin and personal sin) and their temporal punish
ments. If one were to die immediately after Baptism, he would go straight to Hea
ven (assuming one presents no obstacles).
[http://images.iconynano.multiply.multiplycontent.com/attachment/0/R9kI-woKCnUAA
C7us@o1/7SACRAMENTS.doc?nmid=86108596]
[http://fisheaters.com/baptism2.html]
MANNERS/MODES:
Aspersion
Affusion
Immersion
Submersion
[Wikipedia]
WTF? (WHAT (are) THE FAQs?)
Is there a certain age to be baptized?
There is no certain age for baptism. Infant/early baptism has just became a norm
. Since baptism is the gateway for other sacraments, it means that the earlier t
he better. However, if you are baptized as an adult, the original sin as well as
your personal sins are also to be cleansed.
How many godparents should the candidate for baptism have?
Godparents are not essential in baptism because the most important things are th
e matter, formula and minister. But a pair is enough and they should become resp
onsible individuals to their godson/goddaughter.
If you were to become a godparent, what perfect gift will you give your godson/g
oddaughter?
A good gift is being a responsible godparent. He/she should be the one who looks
after the child when his/her parents are not around. In material aspect, the ne
eds of the child are the ones they could give.
What is the fate of infants who died without receiving baptism?
The fate of the unbaptized infants is left to the mercy of God. It is generally
taught that the souls of those who depart this life with original sin on their s
ouls, but without actual sin, go to limbo.

[http://images.itsjrn4.multiply.multiplycontent.com/attachment/0/SYtVkwoKCIIAAFq
TLGU1/BAPTISM.ppt; http://www.ewtn.net/library/DOCTRINE/BAPTISM.TXT]