What is a Roman Catholic christening?

Answer 1

It means the same thing as it would in any other Christian religion, washing away the original sin of an infant.

Catholic AnswerFrom the Appendix of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: [Baptism is] the first of the seven sacraments, and the "door" which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the "sacraments of initiation" by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporate3d into the Church, the Body of Christ. The rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water, or pouring water on the head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit ([see] paragraphs 977, 1213 ff; 1275, 1278).

Answer 2

Roman Catholic AnswerBaptism means that you are cleansed of all sin and reborn and sanctified in Christ to everlasting life.

It means that you have received the graces of:

1. removal of all guilt of sin, original and personal

2. removal of all punishment due to sin, temporal and eternal.

3. infusion of sanctifying grace along with the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit,

4. incorporation into Christ;

5. entrance into the Mystical Body, which is the Catholic Church,

6. imprinting of the baptismal character, which enables a person to receive the other sacraments, to participate in the priesthoood of Christ through the sacred liturgy, and to grow in the likeness of Christ through personal sanctication.

-extracted from Modern Catholic Dictionary by Fr. John Hardon

Answer 3

Catholic Answer

Baptism, in the Catholic Church, is the first of the seven sacraments, and the "door" which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. It is so necessary for salvation that it is extended to all, and those who do not have access to physical baptism are, we believe, provided for by God through baptism by blood (martyrdom) and baptism by desire (if death occurs before baptism). The rite of Baptism consists of immersing the candidate in water, or pouring water on the head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980

The Sacrament in which, by water and the word of God, a person is cleansed of all sin and reborn and sanctified in Christ to everlasting life. (Etym. Latin baptisma; from Greek baptisma, a dipping.

from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which give access to the other sacraments. through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God' we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made shares in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."

1214 This sacrament if called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize (Greek baptizein means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature."

1216 "This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding. . . ." Having received in Baptism the Word, "the true light that enlightens every man," the person baptized has been "enlightened," he becomes a "son of light," indeed he becomes "light" himself:

Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift . . . We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilt; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship.

1266 The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:

- enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues;

- giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;

- allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues.

Thus the whole organism of the Christian's supernatural life has its roots in Baptism.

Answer 4

It's an introduction for the baby to God and starting the babies journey of becoming one with god. AKA: Infant Baptism

Answer 5

A christening is the ceremony of baptism within the Christian religion. A christening is usually accompanied by the giving of a name to a child.

Answer 6

Devoting your baby to god.

When the guardian of the baby choose, not the child.

Answer 7

Baptism is the equivalent of a Christening in the Catholic Church.

Answer 8

The proper term is baptism. Christening is more of a Protestant term.

Answer 9

Baptism given with a Christian name.