BOTEZUL, TAINĂ ȘI INTEGRARE
The Baptism – Sacrament and Integration

Summary/Abstract: In the county of Sălaj, the area that we submitted to our research, theaspects related to the complexity of the baptism, as a sacrament of integrationare thoroughly known and the rituals within this important moment in man’s lifeare followed.The ceremony brought about by the baptism represents a moment ofintegration within society and of confirmation of the newborn’s existence, amoment in which the midwife is not the main agent anymore. We specify thefact – often outlined in the answers received – that choosing the godfather andgodmother is an act of an outmost responsibility. Nowadays, the ceremony oftentakes the profane form of a moment of entertainment within the family.Moreover, in the old days there was a single pair that baptized the child; mostlythe same pair which assisted the parents as wedding godfathers, whereasnowadays, the choice is not always based on old traditional ways. Othercircumstances are taken into consideration like: the age of the pair – closed to theone of the parents, affinities, preferences, financial interests (the main reason inmost cases). In order to shape a blessed destiny, in the old times there were certaingestures that were performed, gestures that are nowadays unknown or almost lostand their mentioning is only with the purpose of bringing cheerfulness amongstthe members of the family, most of them being hold in derision.Another important aspect outlined was that date of the baptism: it has nogiven date; it should be made when the child is six weeks old or even sooner. Theresearches made on this topic showed that the feast related to the event of birthand baptism bears an integrator hall-mark, the joy that embraces the eventsrepresents a ritual convention that has a forgiveness character as an anticipation ofa fulfilled destiny. We should also add that some elements are related tosuperstitious aspects while the religious ceremony only takes place in the church,assisted by the priest, the godfather and the godmother are the main characters.

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