22. Born anew and strengthened in the faith

22. BORN ANEW AND STRENGTHENED IN THE FAITH THE SACRAMENTS OF BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION ALLOW US TO SHARE IN THE LIFE OF THE TRINITY Compendium 250-270 Romans 6:3-4 Titus 3:4-6 1. Baptism can be by immersion or pouring of water. We are born anew by Baptism to a life in Christ which cancels sin and death. What do you want for your children? The correct answer is not only baptism but more profoundly: eternal life. 2. We are confirmed to this new life by the Holy Spirit at Confirmation and nourished daily by the Eucharist. 3. Baptism confers the Holy Spirit and the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. It also brings us a share of the kingly priesthood of Christ as members of his body. Baptism brings sanctifying grace which unites us to the life of the Trinity. 4. Noah's Ark and the Red Sea were forecasts of the drowning of sin and death and acquiring new life through the waters of Baptism. 5. The crossing of the waters of Jordan to enter the Promised Land forecasts our passage to eternal life through Christ's death and resurrection. 6. With the Holy Oils and laying on of hands, Confirmation strengthens us with the courage and power of sanctifying grace and allows us to share in the mystery of Pentecost. With confirmation we receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety, Fear of the Lord. 7. Christ calls us to bring this new life to all nations without exclusion of anyone. 8. Infants become "children of God" through Baptism and after the age of reason confirm their parents commitment to life in Christ by their profession of faith. 9. Baptism cancels original sin and all sins committed prior to baptism for adults. 10. The baptized share the responsibility to attract others to the faith and prepare them for life in Christ and help them to grow in holiness. 11. Those who die for the faith before being baptized are considered Baptized by the blood of Christ. 12. Those who desire baptism but do not have the opportunity are considered baptized by their intention. 13. The unborn who die in the womb are confidently entrusted to the infinite love and mercy of God, their true Father and creator, who cannot abandon his own creation. 14. We call the disobedience of Adam and Eve a “happy fault” because it necessitated that the “word” became flesh in Jesus who by baptism not only cancels sin and death but moreover makes us brothers of Jesus and therefore sons of God and participators in the Holy Trinity forever. May the Holy Spirit expand our minds to be able to appreciate the enormity of this gift.