Pope’s General Audience: English Summary

Dear brothers and sisters: In our continuing catechesis on Baptism, we now turn to the central action of the baptismal rite. Through the pouring of water and the invocation of the Blessed Trinity, we are “immersed” in the mystery of Christ’s death and rising to new life. Thus reborn, we become a new creation, passing from the corruption of sin to eternal life. In Christ, and by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we are made adoptive children of the Father, with the Church as our spiritual mother. This relationship is definitive and is sealed by an indelible mark on the soul. Henceforth, as members of Christ’s body, we are committed to avoid sin and to conform our lives ever more fully to him. Following our rebirth in the waters of baptism, we are anointed with sacred chrism as a sign of our sharing in Christ’s role as priest, prophet and king. As members of God’s priestly people, we are called to offer our lives daily as a sacrifice pleasing to him. As a royal and prophetic people, we are called to proclaim Christ’s kingship by our witness of faith and love, and our commitment to imitate him in loving service to our brothers and sisters.