Advice on baptism (Catholic church)

[Jenniepanda1]

*Hi everyone!
I’m just learning how to post so please be patient . I have a few questions on baptism. I’m going through RCIA classes right now and will be going through the rite of election in march and baptism in April. As I am learning more and more about the Catholic Church and it’s teachings I am very sure of my decision to do this. However, I’ve never been present at a baptism or rite of election and am wondering what it actually will be like. From the point of view of the person who is being baptized. I should probably mention I am an adult. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.
Thank you and God bless
Jennie *

 

[Fauken]

*Hi everyone!
I’m just learning how to post so please be patient . I have a few questions on baptism. I’m going through RCIA classes right now and will be going through the rite of election in march and baptism in April. As I am learning more and more about the Catholic Church and it’s teachings I am very sure of my decision to do this. However, I’ve never been present at a baptism or rite of election and am wondering what it actually will be like. From the point of view of the person who is being baptized. I should probably mention I am an adult. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.
Thank you and God bless
Jennie *

First of all, congratulations! You’re in for a real treat to be baptized at Easter Vigil! I was initiated this past Easter Vigil, so I’ll share you some of my advice!

1. Paperwork. Turn in what they need as soon as possible. This will save both you and the RCIA people headaches down the road.
2. Confirmation Saint. You will choose a Confirmation name since you will be Confirmed after being baptized. I suggest you research Saints early so you have more time to decide, and more time to look at all the awesome Saints the Church has!

Now for Easter Vigil.

Your hands will be anointed with the Oil of Catechumens, blessed earlier that year by the Bishop. You will wear a gray robe, symbolizing that you are stained with sin. There will be a procession of the candidates for baptism (Catechumens) and Confirmation (at my church, the people who needed only Confirmation were Confirmed at a later date. These people needed Confirmation and First Comnunion). The church will be dark. There will be seven readings, detailing the history of salvation. Then, you will sing the Gloria for the first time since the beginning of Lent, and the fun begins. The waters will be blessed by the Priest, and you will go and be baptized. You will be handed a candle, a towel, and a white robe; you have just been cleaned of all sin, including original sin, and your robe now symbolizes that! You will later receive your other Sacraments! This is a bit concise, but I hope it provides you some details!

 

[Jenniepanda1]

Thank you so much, I’m very excited but nervous over the actual event if that makes sense. I like to know what is going to happen congrats your self. If you have any other advice please share! Also on the saints, I pick a girl saint right as I’m a girl?
Thanks!
Jennie

 

[Fauken]

Thank you so much, I’m very excited but nervous over the actual event if that makes sense. I like to know what is going to happen congrats your self. If you have any other advice please share! Also on the saints, I pick a girl saint right as I’m a girl?
Thanks!
Jennie

No, it’s totally understandable! In many ways, it’s going to be the greatest day of your life because your soul will be marked by your Baptism, your sins will be washed away, and you will be marked as an adopted daughter of God!

And in regards to Confirmation names, it does not necessarily have to be a girl’s name. I’m also a girl, and I chose St. Bernard of Clairvaux for mine! They just have to be a canonized Saint of the Church (for example, people could not recently pick St. Mother Teresa until she was canonized this month).

 

[Jenniepanda1]

I agree, thankfully most people have really understood how much this means to me. The rest are supportive but amusedly tolerant of how much I want to talk about it and all I’m learning. So if I may, what motivated your choice of saint? And by canonized I’m understanding you to mean they’re no longer going through the process to become a saint?
Jennie

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

There are no hard and fast rules about your confirmation Saint. In many cases, choosing a Blessed is acceptable. I knew people who chose Mother Teresa before she was Saint Teresa. Some don’t pick one at all.

BTW, today is my saint’s feast, St. Matthew

 

[Fauken]

I agree, thankfully most people have really understood how much this means to me. The rest are supportive but amusedly tolerant of how much I want to talk about it and all I’m learning. So if I may, what motivated your choice of saint? And by canonized I’m understanding you to mean they’re no longer going through the process to become a saint?
Jennie

I chose him because he is called the “Honey-Tongued Doctor of the Church”. He was a charismatic speaker, dutiful when called to give advice to the Pope and recruit people for the Second Crusade, despite desiring a more contemplative life. He’s a cool guy who also wrote some very nice things about Our Lady too, who I am trying to foster a devotion towards!

With Saints, the process of being declared a Saint (or “canonized”) is a process. It’s a matter of attributing miracles done by God through this person. This article explains it better than I can here: catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-process-of-becoming-a-saint.html

 

[Fauken]

There are no hard and fast rules about your confirmation Saint. In many cases, choosing a Blessed is acceptable. I knew people who chose Mother Teresa before she was Saint Teresa. Some don’t pick one at all.

BTW, today is my saint’s feast, St. Matthew

Really? Because in my RCIA program, they would not let you receive your Sacraments without choosing a name; they’d chose one for you if you couldn’t come up with one.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

That’s the thing. Every parish does things a little differently. They should guide you through the process and have rehearsals. Do as they instruct. The people in the pew generally don’t know if it’s all going “by the book” or not.

What you get here are our opinions, experiences, and (ideally) the teaching of the Church. Customs may vary.

 

[Phemie]

That’s the thing. Every parish does things a little differently. They should guide you through the process and have rehearsals. Do as they instruct. The people in the pew generally don’t know if it’s all going “by the book” or not.

What you get here are our opinions, experiences, and (ideally) the teaching of the Church. Customs may vary.

Thanks for mentioning that. In our parish the only time you’d be asked to select a new name is if your own given name was contrary to the Catholic faith. And none of our candidates for Confirmation are made to choose new names, either.