Rebaptism

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2006
Rebaptism
8
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 12:39pm
I'll try not to make this a novel, but I apologize in advance if it's a bit on the long side. I'm 21 years old, and have had a lot of chaos in my life, and, as has everyone, made some choices I'm not proud of. I'm going through a divorce that should be final very shortly, despite my best efforts during the two-year marriage. Since the divorce process began five months ago, I have gone to great lengths to try to come to terms with a great deal of things that have happened throughout my life, and have, at times accidentally, learned some very important lessons. I have begun a new life, including moving far away from most of what I know, and now have just begun a new relationship. I have come to terms with a lot of the issues I struggled with for so long, but I'd really like to make a spiritual mense. I consider myself Unitarian, though I was raised Catholic, and Unitarian congregations generally don't practice baptism, much less rebaptism. I'm really wanting to be rebaptised, but have no idea how to go about it, or if there's even a way to do it within a church, seeing as I haven't, as an adult, ever formally belonged to a church. Anyone have any ideas on rebaptism or any possible alternatives??? Any help anyone could offer would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks so much!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: redflygrrrl
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 3:45pm

It sounds like you're looking for something to wipe the slate clean and start over, yes?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
In reply to: redflygrrrl
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 3:50pm

I don't think a church is going to rebaptize you unless you are making the commitments to what baptism stands for within their context.


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2006
In reply to: redflygrrrl
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 4:04pm
It's not that I feel it's required or that the first one was not valid. My understanding of baptism has always been to wash away one's sins, and, being 2 or less at the time of my original baptism, it wasn't as though I'd had many sins to wash away. I'd simply like to wash away the sins I have committed, to have a ceremonial, spiritual fresh start, I suppose. I was looking for some ideas, as I figured the rebaptism in the average church would require commitments to that particular group.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
In reply to: redflygrrrl
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 5:53pm

You could create your own ceremony, like gypsy suggested, using your own words, getting a fresh start, celebrating the clean slate.


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2001
In reply to: redflygrrrl
Tue, 06-26-2007 - 2:16pm

Baptism actually washes away *original sin*, which is the sin that people have inherited from Adam & Eve- at least, that is my understanding of it.

To wash away your current sins (according to the Catholic church), you would need to go to Confession (same as saying, "receive the sacrement of Reconciliation). If you are looking to go back to your Catholic faith, Confession might be what you are looking for.

I agree with the other posters that said another baptism is not needed. However, if you like the symbolism of your sins being "washed away", there are still a few things you can do- in addition to going to Confession (if you choose to be absolved of your sins in that way), you can bless yourself with holy water- there is usually a container (I'm sorry, the correct name for it is slipping my mind) when you first walk into any Catholic church- the purpose is to dip your pointer and middle fingers into it and make the sign of the cross- thereby blessing yourself with holy water.

You can also come up with your own little "ritual" for renewal and for your sins to be "washed away". While it might not be something official that is recognized by the church, you can have a secular ritual that is representative of your sins being washed away. Just a thought...

Good luck,
~Victoria

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2006
In reply to: redflygrrrl
Tue, 06-26-2007 - 2:41pm
Thanks for the input! It's been forever since I've been involved with the Christian folk. I think you're right about the original sin thing, wish I'd remembered that. I think I've more or less just given up on this whole thing, as I can't seem to get anything figured out. I appreciate everyone's input and help, though, thank you!
Avatar for mending
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
In reply to: redflygrrrl
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 2:13am

I think this, you are an excellent candidate & reason to start in the Catholic Parenting board!

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-pscatholic

You are right, sacraments are given & received in the Catholic Church! The Sacrament of the First Reconciliation (or Confession) is administered right before the Sacrament of First Holy Communion (or the Eucharist). The next one may be considered like a "rebaptism" or the Sacrament of Confirmation!

http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0301.asp

http://www.fisheaters.com/confirmation.html

You are right in using the Holy Water to bless oneself with the Sign of the Cross. I found & thought this article explains well in how to do this well:

http://www.fisheaters.com/sign.html

Thank You *so much* for bringing up these thoughts! You are actually a reaffirmation of one's Faith.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2001
In reply to: redflygrrrl
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 12:03pm

Well, thank you very much for the compliments, but I actually no longer associate with the Catholic religion- it's knowledge that I've acquired over the years rather than faith in the religion that has me knowing about the sacraments.

I know there's the phrase "once a Catholic, always a Catholic", but I didn't choose to be born into the religion and decided to leave it in pursuit of a spiritual path that better suits me and am not going back.

That being said, I'll still share my knowledge with others that may be interested.

Best of luck to you,
~Victoria

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