At the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge about the challenge of the Sacrament of Baptism to Christians.
Recall Mother Ignacia’s Baptism.
Relate their own experience of Baptism with that of Mo. Ignacia’s Baptism and her call to mission.
Faith: Strong Faith in God & Service:Stewardship
“God has saved us by living water which gives our lives afresh beginning, and he put his Spirit in us, so that healed by his grace we may share his life and hope to live forever (Titus 3:5,7)”
We become Christians when we are baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Like that of Mother Ignacia, our baptism makes us sharers in the life of Jesus Christ and incorporates us into the Church. From the very start of Mother Ignacia’s Christian life, her relationship with God was deeply personal and truly communal. In our life, we participate in the on-going life of the Church in our faith and prayer, in communal celebration of the Sacraments, in our moral conduct in works of love and service to our fellow human beings. (IFP for Lay Partners, Module 7-9, page 6)
The Sacrament of Baptism, as the CCC 1213 accentuates that, “it is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.” This line of thought means two essential things:
Baptism is a form of Initiation:
It means that it is in baptism that the baptized person is officially welcomed or incorporated into the Church, Christian Community. It entails that Christian faith is a gift that comes from Christ which was professed by the Christian Community and eventually handed down that faith to the baptized.
Baptism as Enlightenment
It means that in Baptism, the baptized person becomes a Sharer in Divine Life; by receiving Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. This in-turn makes the baptized not just a creature but above all, becomes the child of God—children of light. However, it is good to note that baptism is “...not any magical formula that automatically divinizes us but it is a lifeLong Process (CFC )” Thus, it is a call for a LIFE OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP by living out daily the identity as the Children of Light in allowing Christ’s light to shine throughout our lives, ie. by participating in Christ mission.
“In baptism, the baptized received new life with Christ… by sharing in His three-fold mission as Prophet, Priest, and King (CFC 1599; 1608).” As PROPHET; the baptized person is called to speak and to teach the Word of God backed up with deeds of power and life witnessing Jesus. As PRIEST; the baptized person is called to offer worship to God in the Eucharist by receiving the sacraments, and by offering prayers and thanksgiving. As KING; the baptized person is called to render a loving service to the Church, ie. to the people of God.
BACKGROUND OF NAMING
IGNACIA
In Christian Tradition of Naming: she was baptized on March 4, 1663 by FR. ALBERTO COLLARES, OP at the HOLY KING’s CHURCH of PARIAN (adjacent to Intramuros). Her name was derived from the latin word “ignis” which means fire.
DEL ESPIRITU SANTO
It was an expression of her parents' (Maria Jeronima & Jusepe Juco) great devotion to the HOLY SPIRIT.
Thus, the naming was prophetic in a sense that Mo. Ignacia lived out her name with a firm faith after she decided to remain in the SERVICE OF DIVINE MAJESTY by becoming a beata herself. In a word, she became the fire of the Holy Spirit that ignited the enthusiasm of her fellowmen to participate in Christ mission.
PRIESTLY MISSION
Mo. Ignacia fulfilled this by being a woman of faith and prayer through her practices of piety and spiritual exercises that eventually influenced her beatas to live the exemplary life of prayer and penance and to participate actively in the religious celebrations in the community most especially in the Holy Eucharist. Her positive influence made her companions to be in God’s presence at all times and in all places (1726 Rules:1.2.7;II.25). Thus, Mo. Ignacia was zealous for the good of the souls by always encouraging her companions to preserve in their commitment to God (1726 Rules:I.1,10,26,38, 39,42).
PROPHETIC MISSION
Mo.Ignacia, eventhough unheard of during their times, fulfilled this by preaching boldly the truth both in her words & actions that a native expression of Christian faith is possible and that yndias/yndios are not dumb “mang-mang”. As a result, the native community of pious women known as the Beaterio de la Compania de Jesus was established and became the champion in teaching the Catholic faith to the natives, mestizas, and españolas which eventually brought light and hope to a society darkened by division and afflicted by discrimination.
KINGLY MISSION
Mo.Ignacia fulfilled this by leading a group of native women in serving God through their loving service of the people especially to the underprivileged young girls by teaching the skill of needle work, chores, reading, writing, and above all teaching them about Christian faith. In this sense, Mo. Ignacia clearly showed respect and gave support for those dehumanized by poverty, ignorance, and helplessness. She lived in solidarity with the poor of her times and showed concern for those who needed help and support (1726 Rules I.22;28,27). Thus, as a leader, she gave an example of service without counting the cost (1726 Rules I.1;VI.16); it is a kind of service that is propelled by love for God.
In a nutshell, Mo. Ignacia was able to live out her Christian identity as missionary by fulfilling the three-fold mission that she shared from Jesus Christ at the moment of her Baptism. In doing this mission, she helped others respond to the dynamic presence of the spirit in their own lives.