Do Catholic babies get baptized or christened?

Alexander Turner | 2018-06-15 07:36:43 | page views:1862
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Sophia Wright

Studied at University of Oxford, Lives in Oxford, UK
As an expert in religious studies, I can provide a detailed explanation of the practices surrounding the naming and initiation of infants within the Catholic Church. The terms "baptized" and "christened" are often used interchangeably, but they carry distinct meanings within the context of Catholic sacraments and rituals.
Baptism is one of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church, and it is considered a crucial rite of initiation for new members into the Christian community. This sacrament is a sign of admission into the Church, and it involves the use of water, which symbolizes purification and rebirth. When a baby is baptized, they are cleansed of original sin and are welcomed into the family of the Church. The sacrament of Baptism is also a public declaration of faith by the parents and godparents, who promise to raise the child in the Catholic faith.
Christening, on the other hand, is a term that historically has been used more broadly in Christian contexts, and it refers to the act of giving a name to a person, which is often associated with the ceremony of baptism. However, within the Catholic Church, the term "christening" is not typically used to describe the sacrament of Baptism. Instead, the focus is on the sacramental aspect of the rite, which is the initiation into the Christian community through the use of the sacrament.
During a Catholic baptism, several key elements are present. The baby is anointed with the oil of catechumens, which signifies their admission into the Church. The baby's name is indeed used and mentioned during the ceremony, but its primary purpose is to identify the individual being baptized. The act of naming is secondary to the sacramental act of claiming the child for Christ and his Church.
The rite of baptism in the Catholic Church also includes the renunciation of sin and the profession of faith by the parents and godparents on behalf of the child. The child is then immersed in water or the water is poured over their head while the minister says, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This signifies the child's entry into the Christian community and their union with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It is important to note that while the terms "baptized" and "christened" are often used synonymously, within the Catholic Church, the emphasis is on the sacramental nature of the rite and its significance in welcoming a new member into the Christian family. The act of naming is a part of the ceremony, but it is not the central focus of the sacrament itself.
In conclusion, Catholic babies are baptized, not simply christened. The sacrament of Baptism is a profound and sacred event that marks the beginning of the child's journey of faith within the Catholic Church. It is a moment of great joy and celebration, as the child is embraced by the community of believers and begins their life as a member of the Body of Christ.

Ethan Clark

Works at the International Committee of the Red Cross, Lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
Christening refers to the naming ceremony (to "christen" means to "give a name to") where as baptism is one of seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. In the sacrament of Baptism the baby's name is used and mentioned, however it is the rite of claiming the child for Christ and his Church that is celebrated.

Hannah Fisher

QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Christening refers to the naming ceremony (to "christen" means to "give a name to") where as baptism is one of seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. In the sacrament of Baptism the baby's name is used and mentioned, however it is the rite of claiming the child for Christ and his Church that is celebrated.
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