The Beauty of Holy Baptism (According to St. Ambrose)

"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4)

"In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead." (Colossians 2:11-12)

"Baptism . . . now saves you. . ." (1 Peter 3:21)

"The process of baptism at that time gave Christians who underwent it the deepest spiritual experience they would ever have. . . For all forty days of Lent the candidates engaged in fasts and penance. They were instructed twice a day by the bishop himself, and once a week they underwent physical inspection (scrutamen) that was part of the exorcism function of baptism, to free them from diabolical interference with their bodies. A week before baptism, they were for the first time entrusted with the creed, which they had to memorize without writing it down. It was to guard them as 'a constant protection and keepsake of their hearts' [St. Ambrose].

'Before dawn in 387, Augustine and his fellows gathered at the entrance to the baptistry, where Ambrose performed a ceremony of opening (Effetha) by touching their ears and nostrils, so they would have a heightened spiritual awareness of what they were about to see and do. Then, just inside the baptistry, they faced west and renounced the devil, before facing east and welcoming the coming of Christ into their hearts. After this, they stripped off their clothes in one of the building's recesses, before being anointed with oil all over their bodies 'like athletes'. Then they stepped does into the baptismal pool, escorted by the bishop and his deacon, who ducked each person's head under the water three times as they professed belief in each member of the Trinity. As they came out of the pool, they were wrapped in a white garment signifying their innocence. They were anointed again, though this time only on the head. After that, the bishop washed their feet -- a gesture of exorcism, since the serpent in Eden had bitten Adam on the foot -- then they received a 'seal of the Spirit' and went to the New Basilica. For the first time, they heard the Lord's Prayer and participated in the Eucharist." (Garry Wills, Font of Life, p. 8)

This eight-inch temple has risen to holy purpose,

And eight sides of the font perform their task.

That number befits a chamber for baptizing,

It towers so that people may be saved.

In the splendor of Christ's rising, to break the bars

Of death and bring life out of the tombs

Cleansed in the font's pure-running stream.

Here those shedding vile crimes of their past

May wash their hearts and take away pure breasts.

Here let them swiftly come. Here anyone who dares,

However darkened, will go off whiter than snow.

Let saints run here, since no once can be saintly

Without these waters, by God's ring and plan.

Here flares the right. What can be more God's work

Than removing sin in an eye blink?

--St. Ambrose of Milan

"The seventh day belongs to the Old Testament; the eighth belongs to the New, when Christ rose from the dead, and the light of a new form of salvation penetrated us all. this day the prophet referred to when he said, 'This is the day the Lord made, let us rejoice and be glad in it' (Ps 118:24). On this day the brilliance of the entire and completed circumcision flooded in on sinners. For the Old Testament gave a partial meaning to the day in the rite of circumcision -- though that was still filed in a shadow. Now the sun of Justice arrives and, by the completion of his own suffering, beams out his rays of illumination. He unveiled the sun to all and broke open the incandescence of eternal life." --St. Ambrose of Milan

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age.'" (Matthew 28:18-20)