Argene Águila Clasara
The English Community of the Sé Cathedral Parish of the Nativity of Our Lady has welcomed two members—Rob Draven Pangan Faraon and Elisabelle Rosa Zeng—through the Sacrament of Baptism administered within the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by Fr. Eduardo Emilio Agüero SCJ on Easter Sunday, 05 April 2026. They have been prepared and have fulfilled the required catechism formation by the parish’s English Sunday School Team.
The celebration of baptism is rich in signs and symbols that point to our Catholic faith and how it ought to be lived. At the beginning of the Mass, Draven and Elisabelle express the deepest desires of their hearts at the doors of the church—to be in communion with God through eternity, which is only possible by becoming members of Christ’s mystical body. Implicit in it is their conversion—an essential element of catechesis—which has been signified in this rite when Draven and Elisabelle have uttered the baptismal names they have chosen—Draven chose Mark, in honour of Saint Mark the Evangelist, while Elisabelle chose Elizabeth, in honour of Saint Elizabeth, the relative of the Blessed Mother. They were then accompanied by the priest and the ministers into the church, where the faithful sang the Easter hymn.
The following the rites of Christian baptism, the celebration of baptism is done after the homily. The community prayed in thanksgiving for the gift of the baptismal water, blessed by the bishop during the Easter Vigil. Fr Agüero then proceeded with the rite of exorcism and the anointing with the oil for catechumens to the two candidates. It signified the Church’s prayer for the liberation of the candidates from evil and sin. This has been followed by the renunciation of sin and profession of belief of Draven and Elisabelle, to which the whole congregation joined as a form of renewal of their baptismal promises.
The rite of baptism follows. As Fr. Agüero pours water on the candidates in front of the faithful, he says—”Mark / Elizabeth, I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” At this point, Mark and Elizabeth are now dead to sin and reborn by the water and the Holy Spirit. Mark and Elizabeth were then anointed with the holy chrism by Fr. Agüero. At this point, he reminded the newly baptised that they, like the rest of the faithful present, now share in Christ’s role and identity as priest, prophet, and king. Fr. Agüero proceeded to give the baptismal garment to them with this reminder—“bring it unstained to the judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that you may have everlasting life.” He then handed over the baptismal candles, lit from the Paschal Candle, to the godparents, who in turn handed them to the newly baptised. These candles signify the light of faith they have received from God, which they should keep alive in their hearts. The celebration of baptism ended with the Rite of Ephphetha, in which the priest prays over them so that they could receive his word in their ears and proclaim the faith with their mouths.
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For those interested in receiving the Sacraments of Initiation or in deepening their Catholic faith in English, the English Community of the Sé Cathedral is willing to accompany you. You may reach Miss Peggy (6362 3996) or Brother Argene (6298 6441).
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