Pope Francis explained the importance of the gestures accompanying baptism, especially the sign of the Cross, which is a sign that “we belong to Christ and share in His passover from death to life.”
He said that in making the sign of the Cross each day, each baptized Christian can “rejoice in the grace of baptism and seek to enter ever more deeply into the mystery of redemption, rebirth and eternal life bestowed by Christ our Savior.”
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS
Dear brothers and sisters,
In our continuing catechesis on the sacrament of Baptism, we now turn to the words and gestures that disclose its meaning as the beginning of our new life in Christ. First, the parents are asked what name they give to their child. The name we receive at Baptism is a constant reminder that each of us is a unique person, loved by God and called to respond to that love at every moment of our lives. Born again by water and the Holy Spirit, we become God’s children and begin a journey of faith and growth in holiness in union with Jesus, the eternal Son of the Father. After promising to raise their child in the Church’s faith, the parents and godparents then trace the sign of the Cross on his or her forehead. The mystery of the Cross accompanies us at every moment of our lives, for now we belong to Christ and share in his passover from death to life.
Each day, as we make the sign of the Cross, may we rejoice in the grace of our baptism and seek to enter ever more deeply into the mystery of redemption, rebirth and eternal life bestowed by Christ our Saviour.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly those from Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the United States of America. I offer a special welcome to the group of benefactors from Ireland, with gratitude for their support of the forthcoming World Meeting of Families in Dublin. In the joy of the Risen Christ, I invoke upon you and your families the loving mercy of God our Father. May the Lord bless you all!
