At each stop on the trail, an aspect of the sacrament of Baptism is discussed by looking at features of the Cathedral. Here is a summary of the trail content:
Outside the Church
Baptism is the gateway to life in the Spirit; it is the entry into the Church, the family of God. Baptism is always the first of the sacraments. The word 'baptism' comes from the Greek meaning to 'immerse' or 'plunge' - in early baptisms, the people were submerged in the water. This submersion symbolises being submerged into the death of Christ - giving up our lives for Christ - so that we might share in His resurrection.
In the Narthex
This is the place where catechumens (those who were to be baptised) would have stayed - a place between heaven and earth, between the world and the church. Right from the early days of the faith, becoming a member of the Church has taken place in several stages. Those who were in the stages before baptism would not have been allowed inside the church. Baptism is the sacrament of faith - the beginning of faith, expressed in and developing in a community of believers - the Church. The Church regards baptism as necessary for salvation (cf. John 3:5)
The Oil of Catechumens
Baptism ensures the forgiveness of sins, and is the first and chief way in which sins are forgiven by God. The Church anoints those who are to be baptised with the oil of catechumens, asking God to free them from all sin and to keep them free from the power of evil. Baptism ensures the forgiveness of original sin, which is the result of our fallen human nature. That is why the Church can speak of forgiveness even in the case of children and babies who have not yet committed actual sin in their lives.
Baptistery and Paschal Candle
The baptistery is sometimes called the 'womb of the Church', because it is from here that the family of the Church grows. Christ is the light of the world - a light that is shared with those who are baptised. The resurrection of Christ is symbolised by the paschal candle, blessed each year at the Easter Vigil. In the Vigil, we hear of great events in the history of God's relationship with His people. Many of these events involve water, and point to Christian baptism: Creation, where the Spirit of God hovered over the waters (Genesis 1:2); the flood in Noah's time, in which all evil was destroyed (Genesis 6-9); the Exodus from Egypt, in which the people were liberated from slavery (Exodus 14); and the crossing of the river Jordan, when the people entered the promised land (Joshua 3). The baptismal water is consecrated by a prayer which calls down the Holy Spirit. All three persons of the Trinity are invoked in baptism, when the minister pours water on the candidate's head with the words, “N., I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The white garment symbolises that the newly baptised person has 'put on Christ' (Galatians 3:27). The baptismal candle shows that the candidate now lives in the light that Christ gives, and so themselves become the 'light of the world' (Matthew 5:14). The newly baptised person is now a child of God, and so can pray the prayer of all Christians: “Our Father…”
Oil of Chrism
The word 'Christ' comes from the Greek 'Christos' - meaning 'anointed one'. After baptism, the new Christian is anointed with the oil of Chrism. All the oils used in the diocese are blessed by the Bishop at the Chrism Mass, which takes place in the Cathedral each year on Maundy Thursday. In the anointing with Chrism, the newly-baptised is seen to be special, chosen by God to be like Christ, who was anointed priest, prophet and king. Chrism will be used again when Christian initiation is completed at Confirmation.
Registers
In baptism, an 'indelible mark' (or 'character') is made on a person's soul. This is why baptism is once-for-all - it can never be repeated. This mark can never be erased, even by the most serious of sins. A record of each baptism is kept in every parish. In these records we see a physical sign of the indelible character given in the sacrament. The baptismal seal enables and commits Christians to take part in the life of the Church, and most especially in the Church's liturgy. The faithful are also called to exercise their 'baptismal priesthood' by living lives of holiness and charity as a witness to the Gospel. Christians are called to live as their baptismal mark (or 'seal') until the end of their lives. Those who keep the seal, being faithful to their baptismal promises, will be able to depart this life 'marked with the sign of faith', expecting to meet their heavenly Father and living in the hope of resurrection.
The Nave
Baptism unites all the faithful into one family of God, the Church, which extends across all places and times. This unity is symbolised most clearly in our gathering in Church for the liturgy - the worship of God. It calls all people to one mission of preaching: they are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that [they] may declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Baptism gives all of us a share in the common priesthood of all believers.
Holy Water Stoups
Every time we enter or leave the Church, we make the sign of the cross with Holy Water as a reminder of our baptism. By calling our minds back to the beginning of our Christian lives, they also remind us of our baptismal promises, and our mission to evangelise: to take Christ to others. All the sacraments are received in faith. But the sacraments do not only require faith; they also express faith and help to strengthen it. When we remind ourselves of our baptism, in church or at home, we help to strengthen our faith in Christ and our commitment to live as we have promised.
