A Behind the Scenes Look at Catholic Baptism

Immersion in Consecrated Water

The priest or deacon consecrates the water by asking Jesus to send the power of the Holy Spirit to descend upon it, so that the baby will be “born of water and the Spirit.” Because Jesus told His disciples “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you (Matthew 28: 18-20),” the priest or deacon baptizes the baby by pouring the holy water over the baby’s head three times. While doing so, he says “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Baptism cleanses the baby of original sin as the baby’s life is buried with Jesus’ death on the cross. Emerging from the water, he rises with Jesus to a new life in Christ.