Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Peace!
Some have asked why provide the possibility of baptism by immersion. According to Canon Law, the Sacrament of Baptism can be done either through immersion or through pouring.
The legal language that describes the celebration of the sacrament actually indicates that the preferred mode of baptism by the Church is through immersion even though Catholics tend to associate immersion as a “Protestant” preference.
It is not. It is our preference too as John 3:23, Matthew 3:16, and Acts 8:38 give conclusive scriptural proof that the original method of baptism was by immersion.
In the past, baptismal fonts were located in the area of the Church called the “narthex”. It is the antechamber before one entered the Church proper. The description of baptism found in St Paul’s writing states that when we are baptised, we enter into the tomb with Jesus so that just as He rose from the dead, we rise with Him. The symbolic action of descending into the waters of the baptismal font reminds us that we are entering the tomb to die in order to rise to new life in Him.
The new baptismal font will have steps leading into the waters of the tomb with corresponding steps rising up to the new life of the Sacraments. The location under the loft gives us a sense that once a person is baptised, as he or she emerges out of the font, the other Sacraments are opened to him or her.
Know what you believe. Believe what you know.
God bless
Padre
亲爱的主内弟兄姐妹。 主内平安！
有人问，为什么要提供浸水式圣洗池？根据《天主教法典》，洗礼可以采用浸水式或注水式。
描述圣洗圣事的法律语言实际上表明，教会首选的洗礼方式是浸水式。天主教徒却倾向于将浸水式洗礼视为"新教"的洗礼方式。
事实并非如此。这种方式也是我们的首选，因为若望福音第3章23节、玛窦福音第3章16节和宗徒大事录第8章38节提供了确凿的圣经证据，证明最初的洗礼方式是浸水式。
过去，洗礼池位于圣堂内被称为"前廊"的地方。这是进入圣堂前的前厅。圣保禄在书信中对洗礼的描述指出，当我们接受洗礼就是与耶稣一起进入了坟墓，就像祂从死里复活一样，我们也与祂一起复活。进入洗礼池水中的象征性动作提醒我们，我们进入坟墓是为了死亡，以便在祂内复活而获得新生。
新的洗礼池将有台阶通向坟墓的水中，并有相应的台阶上升到圣事的新生命。位于阁楼下的位置让我们感觉到，一旦一个人接受了洗礼，当他或她走出洗礼池时，其他的圣事也会向他或她敞开大门。
知你所信。信你所知。
天主降福大家
杨光明神父
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