5 Ways to Remember Your Baptism Every Day
How thankful we should all be for having received the Sacrament of Baptism. Through this great sacrament, defined as the gateway or threshold of entrance into the Catholic Church, extraordinary graces have been gratuitously bestowed on the recipient.
The greatest of all gifts that flow from Baptism is the initiation of an intimate relationship with God Himself. This is astounding! When the minister—bishop, priest, or deacon—pours the water on the head of the individual and expresses the words, “[Name], I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” miracles of grace occur—all invisible and mystical, but all real beyond our limited imaginations!
After the pouring of the water over the head and the triple pronouncement of the three names of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity, there is a radical change, a metamorphosis.
This change seals and marks the person in time as well as for all eternity. This person is now a son or daughter of God the Father and a brother or sister to Jesus Christ (Jesus becomes the “older brother”). Now he or she is an intimate friend and temple of the Holy Spirit and transformed into a living tabernacle of the Most Blessed Trinity. Awesome—to say the least! Thus, our great dignity flows from the Sacrament of Baptism, and our destiny is eternal beatitude—meaning happiness—on the way towards our Heavenly abode.
We ought to call to mind this profound reality of our baptism regularly. What then are some concrete ways to do so? Here are a few “holy reminders,” in the words of Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN.
1. PRAY THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
First, make the sign of the cross with devotion and reverence. All too often we whip through the sign of the cross. Our hand becomes a lightning bolt of speed; the words perhaps correspond with the speed of the gesture.
It is a wholesome and sanctifying gesture to slow down while making the sign of the cross and pronounce the words calmly. While doing so, reflect on the meaning of those few but extremely important words. And of paramount importance, call to mind the meaning and significance in our souls and whole being:
Through Baptism we are truly sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ, intimate friends of the Holy Spirit, and temples and tabernacles of the living one and Triune God, the Blessed Trinity.
2. USE HOLY WATER
Second, use holy water frequently. It is a very good practice for families to keep a store of holy water in their homes. Having a holy water bottle (hopefully even more than one) or a holy water fount in the home or in every room can be great reminders. With these readily available, the family members can form the habit of blessing themselves when entering and leaving the home. Indeed, this is a constant holy reminder of our baptism. Carry this out!
3. BLESS YOUR CHILDREN
Third, parents, bless your children. Mom and Dad should get into the habit of blessing their children frequently and fervently. Before sending your children off to bed every night, pray your night prayers together, but add a parental blessing to this holy practice. Mom or Dad, bless your children on the forehead with holy water and pronounce the names of the Blessed Trinity. Start tonight!
4. NOTICE THE BAPTISMAL FONT
Fourth, upon entering a Catholic Church, take the holy water at the baptismal font and make the sign of the cross with it, recalling your dignity, destiny, and calling as a true follower of Christ. It all started with your baptism. Remember this regularly.
5. PRAY THE GLORY BE
Fifth and finally, when you pray the Glory Be, call to mind the reality and blessing of the Holy Trinity residing within your soul. This indwelling began precisely in the moment of your Baptism.
How great God is! How wonderful and marvelous His works in me, starting with my own Baptism.
Through Baptism we are truly and actually—and not simply symbolically—Temples of the Triune God, living icons of the Blessed Trinity. “O Lord, our God, how great is your name in all of creation, starting in my own individual soul!”
May Our Lady of the Trinity pray for us. In fact, Mary is the Daughter of God the Father, the Mother of God the Son, and the Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit. May Our Heavenly Mother inspire us, intercede for us, and take us by the hand to the realms of the Triune God!
Photo by Tobias Schulz on Unsplash
