If you plan a baptism for your child, you must make some promises. These promises should include reaffirming loyalty to the one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, obtaining pardon for sins, and keeping God’s commandments and holy will. The purpose of catholic baptismal promises varies for different denominations. You can also include a godparent for your child.
Reaffirming loyalty to the one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church:
Catholics believe that all things are connected with God and that all of humanity is a part of the Body of Christ. In the words of Vatican II, “Christ’s redemptive work encompasses the renewal of the whole temporal order.” Therefore, the Church’s mission is to share the message of Christ with all of mankind and to penetrate and perfect the temporal order in the spirit of the Gospel.
In the words of Pope John Paul II, “the Church is the body of Christ, the people of God, the bride of Christ, and the bride of the Savior.” This is the traditional conception of the Church. Popes of the past, and even now, have reaffirmed this traditional view.
Obtaining pardon for sins
Catholics participate in a sacrament known as Reconciliation or Confession. This act of reparation and forgiveness re-integrates a person with God and brings him into communion with Him. It requires full responsibility in thought and action.
In the early centuries of Christianity, confession was a public act. In the middle ages, it was a form of penance. A diocesan bishop would prescribe penance when someone fell into sin. This practice developed in the monasteries of Ireland and was brought back to Europe by missionaries.
Keeping God’s holy will and commandments
Whether Catholic or not, we must bring our faith to our daily lives. We must deal with many circumstances and people, and our faith is required to get through them. Our baptism provides us with the graces and blessings we need to live as Catholics. We must also remember that our baptism is the beginning of our exciting journey of faith and that it will end at the doors of heaven. Therefore, our faith must be alive so we can connect our daily lives and our faith.
The sacraments are given to us by God as signs of our faith. They provide us with sanctifying grace, a special help from God. They are interrelated and must be celebrated properly for us to become fully initiated in the Church.
In conclusion, catholic baptismal promises are important for the salvation of individuals and for the Church as a whole. Baptism helps seal or confirm people’s faith in Jesus Christ and gives them the opportunity to receive forgiveness and to be baptized into the Church.
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