Baptism = Initiation by Beverly Brazauskas

Understanding baptism as a welcoming into community.

Birth and baptismal certificate, American, 1822

During our Small Christian Community meeting in early January, we were discussing the readings for the Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord. For most of us in the group, baptism was thought of the washing away of original sin. Did Jesus need that? In the gospel, we see that even John the Baptist was uncomfortable with this happening, saying, “I need to be baptized by you,” but performing it anyway at Jesus’s request when he said, “Allow it now.”

As we discussed this, we were reminded that after Vatican II the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (usually referred to as the RCIA) was produced. This format provided guidance for people responsible for preparing adults for baptism. In our time, we usually think of babies being baptized. One can readily understand there is a huge difference in the process between adults and infants, but the RCIA provided a basis to expand our entire understanding of the formation process.

The RCIA prepares adults to be baptized, confirmed, and to receive their First Communion at an Easter Vigil all at the same time. For babies who are baptized, the process has been broken down into three different events: baptism as an infant, First Communion usually around grade 2, and then confirmation sometime between grades 7 and 10. Unfortunately, this process does not always unite these sacraments into one sacrament of initiation. Initiation into what? we might ask.

At baptism, parents are asked to name two people who will provide support and love for the baby by their side. These people are called godparents. They are there to assist the mother and father in raising their child as a member of the church into which the baby is being baptized. Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation—again, initiation into what? The parents and godparents should be walking alongside these children, introducing them to the church of which they are members, being there when several years later they are invited to receive their First Communion.

And finally, at confirmation, the candidates are asked to obtain a sponsor. Why hasn’t there been any suggestion that they ask one of their godparents to be that person? Godparents should see to it that their godchild is presented to the bishop to be confirmed by him, at which time their godchild will “confirm” for himself or herself the promises the godparent made in their name at baptism.

Personally, I was blessed by that very thing happen to me and when I recently asked my godchild why she requested me to be her sponsor. She responded, “Who else would I have asked?” That made me feel like I had done my job as a godparent.

But at the time of confirmation, another sacrament of initiation, why aren’t sponsors encouraged to welcome the young person into various church activities that they are involved in? Again, unfortunately, for years confirmation has been seen as a “graduation” from religious education—“We’re finished,” instead of, “Now how can I become an active member of this community.”

At the end of our discussion on the readings, we had a greater and better understanding of baptism, not just as a washing away of original sin, but as a welcoming into a community, a people of faith. ♦

Beverly Brazauskas, presently president of the board of Tomorrow’s American Catholic, was a pastoral associate/DRE at St. Matthew Parish in Tolland, Connecticut, for 11 years and then at Sacred Heart Parish at Notre Dame, Indiana, for 6 more years. She worked for the diocese of Fort Wayne/South Bend for an additional year.