In his Message for Lent 2011, Pope Benedict XV recalls that Baptism is not a “rite from the past, but the encounter with Christ, which informs the entire existence of the baptized.”  Baptism, he says, imparts divine life, calling for sincere conversion.  Lent is a time during which the faithful seek to die to sin and become witnesses of the transforming power of Christ’s Resurrection.  Baptism, then, is the beginning of the life of Christ for each member, and Lent is a time to return to the promises made at our Baptism and strive to live them more faithfully.

Baptism, as the immersion into the life of Christ, is the foundation of every vocation in the Church.  God’s call to the priesthood and consecrated life, therefore, is received at Baptism.  We believe the following resources on Baptism and Lent can enrich your Lenten prayer, and deepen your understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism, source of every Christian vocation, this year:

Lent: (audio retreats, Stations of the Cross, daily readings, and much more!)

            http://www.usccb.org/lent/

The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Baptism

            http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.shtml

Frequently Asked Questions on Baptism

            http://www.usccb.org/catechism/quizzes/baptism.shtml

Video on the Sacrament of Baptism

            http://www.usccb.org/video/sacraments.shtml