Pastoral aspect of parental preparation for their child’s baptism

Abstract

Among the seven sacraments Baptism has a special place since the Church has been ordered to perform it by Christ himself. It is also called the sacrament of initiation which introduces a person into the community of Catholics and the first sacrament since the reception of the other sacraments depends on it. There seems to be a strong need to explore its nature and meaning to raise consciousness among the baptized. For this reason a role and form of baptismal preparation should be reconsidered. In the case of parents’ preparation for their infant baptism a three stage process has been presented, both gradual and permanent, comprising three phases: remote, proximate and immediate. The author calls for applying the neo-catechumenal way in the traditional pastoral practice associated with baptizing, rediscovering the value of the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist, especially in the Lent and finally discusses preparation of the Sacrament itself and its liturgical celebration.