During the celebration of Baptism a priest or deacon blesses the water that will be used as a sign of rebirth. The celebrant prays, over the water then ask; Father, with your Son to send the Holy Spirit upon the water of this font. May all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptism rise also with him to newness of life.
The priest or deacon then pours the water on the heads of the people being baptized or immerses them, saying, (Name), I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The water and these words are the signs of the sacrament of Baptism. At this moment, those being baptized are reborn of water and the Holy Spirit. They are reborn into the divine life of God's grace, become members of the Church, the Body of Christ. The newly baptized are next anointed with holy oil just as Christ was anointed as priest, prophet and king. This shows that they share in Jesus' work of bringing about God's peace and justice in the world.
The newly baptized are given a white garment and a candle. The white garment shows that they have put on the new life of the risen Christ. A candle is lit from the Easter candle and given to the newly baptized as a sign that they are to keep the light of Christ burning brightly by always following the ways of Jesus.
Baptisms of infants and young children are celebrated for families who are registered members. Only one parent of the child must attend the baptism preparation class, especially if the baptism is for a first child or it has been more than four years since the last child was baptized.
