Baptized into Christ

Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4)

Every year at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening this Scripture from St. Paul is proclaimed. It carries a poignant message. We ponder its meaning year after year as we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through our own baptism we have died with Christ and have been raised to a newness of life. Every Easter we renew our baptism promises. This renewal challenges us to examine our lives, to die to self, and to put on Christ as the center and motivator of all that we are and do. In the newness of life, we are graced to become more like Christ.

The Easter Vigil is the prime time for baptizing catechumens. This timing dates to the early Church. In the writings of the early Church Fathers, we can read many of the sermons that they delivered to the newly baptized throughout the Easter Season, helping them to grow in understanding of their baptismal experience.

At our Easter Vigil this year, we had one adult catechumen, Patrick Clark, who was baptized and received his sacraments of initiation into the Church. In asking him about his experience in RCIA and being baptized, he gave this response: “To be honest it is absolutely amazing and beautiful. Leading up to my Baptism, I was nervous and overwhelmed because of my past. Being able to leave my past in the past and trust in Jesus Christ, and now have Jesus Christ in my heart is beautiful. Being confirmed and being able to receive the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist weekly—the ability to receive these gifts daily is life changing. I have a new life and reason to strive and live with Jesus.”

Also, at the Easter Vigil joining with us in the renewal of baptismal promises were other adults who had been in the RCIA process. Rachel Haukoos and Fred Moore had been baptized previously in a different Christian denomination. They made their Profession of Faith and were received into the Catholic Church. They, along with Stacy Benoy and Jacob Reed, were confirmed that night, thus completing their initiation into the Church.

We rejoice with these newly initiated members of the Church and support them with our prayers.