BAPTISM

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."

Baptism in the Church

From the very day of Pentecost the Church has celebrated and administered holy Baptism. Indeed St. Peter declares to the crowd astounded by his preaching: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."²⁶ The apostles and their collaborators offer Baptism to anyone who believed in Jesus: Jews, the God-fearing, pagans.²⁷ Always, Baptism is seen as connected with faith: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household," St. Paul declared to his jailer in Philippi . And the narrative continues, the jailer "was baptized at once, with all his family."²⁸

According to the Apostle Paul, the believer enters through Baptism into communion with Christ's death, is buried with him, and rises with him: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

The baptized have "put on Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, Baptism is a bath that purifies, justifies, and sanctifies.

Hence Baptism is a bath of water in which the "imperishable seed" of the Word of God produces its life-giving effect. St. Augustine says of Baptism: "The word is brought to the material element, and it becomes a sacrament."

Baptisms at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Contact: Estela Flores  (713) 645-6673 x223 of eflores@olmchou.org

 Baptisms are celebrated four times a year within the occurrence of our regular mass schedule, depending on the number to be baptized.

Parents wishing to baptize their children at Mt. Carmel   are asked to attend a preparation course beforehand either in English or in Spanish. All Archdiocesan guidelines must be followed in terms of Godparents (Godparents are to be baptized and confirmed and be in communion with Church teachings).