Explain Why The Church Insists For

Explain why the church insists for “Christian name” in baptism?
Christian names were imposed for the distinction of persons, surnames for the difference
of families. A Christian name, sometimes referred to as a baptismal name, is
a religious personal name historically given on the occasion of a Christian baptism, though now
most often assigned by parents at birth.
On January 9, after baptizing 21 infants in the Sistine Chapel on the feast of the Baptism
of the Lord, Pope Benedict captured international headlines for reminding Catholic parents
throughout the world that they should be choosing Christian names for their children. The choice
of a name, he emphasized, shouldn’t be done “by chance” or whim, but should reinforce and
communicate to the growing child and others one of the essential realities of the sacrament of
baptism and the Christian life. The Christian name – in contrast to a non-Christian name –
signifies that in baptism “every baptized person acquires the character of a son” and is “an
unmistakable sign that the Holy Spirit gives birth to man ‘anew’ from the womb of the Church.”
A Christian name manifests that through baptism a child is “raised to the supernatural order” and
“placed in communication with God,” who then calls that child by that given name. Naming the
child after a Christian saint or biblical hero is a concrete reminder for the child and everyone else
that God is calling that child, like his or her Christian namesake, to holiness and heaven. A
Christian name concretely indicates that there is, and is meant to be, a connection and continuity
between natural and supernatural life, and between earthly and eternal life.
A baptismal ceremony begins significantly with the minister’s asking the parents, “What
name do you give your child?” This name is given before God. The “Catechism” says the child’s
name and God’s name are thereby linked. “The sacrament of Baptism is conferred ‘in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ In Baptism, the Lord’s name sanctifies man,
and the Christian receives his name in the Church. This can be the name of a saint, that is, of a
disciple who has lived a life of exemplary fidelity to the Lord. The patron saint provides a model
of charity; we are assured of his intercession. The ‘baptismal name’ can also express a Christian
mystery or Christian virtue. ‘Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to see that a name is not given
which is foreign to Christian sentiment.’” It adds, “God calls each one by name. Everyone’s
name is sacred. The name is the icon of the person. It demands respect as a sign of the dignity of
the one who bears it” (CCC 2156, 2158).
The name is a holy icon of the person. In our age of titular iconoclasm, Pope Benedict is
calling Christian parents back to connect the names of their children with the name of God and
the names of those who have lived – and continue to live forever – in that holy name, entrusting
their children to their namesakes’ holy patronage so that one day the Good Shepherd will call
their children by name to his eternal right side.
Explain the meaning and the importance of Baptism to our life as Christian.
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit
(vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives 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 sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of
regeneration through water in the world.’ 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 guilty; 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 sign of God’s Lordship.
Baptism takes away original sin, all personal sins and all punishment due to sin. It makes
the baptized person a participant in the divine life of the Trinity through sanctifying grace, the
grace of justification which incorporates one into Christ and into his Church. It gives one a share
for communion with all Christians. It bestows the theological virtues and the gifts of the Holy
Spirit. A baptized person belongs forever of Christ. He is marked with the indelible seal of Christ
(character).

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Explain why the church insists for “Christian name” in baptism?

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