Historia i teologia chrzcielnicy

The article ”The history and theology of a baptismal bowl” shows the way in which the form of baptizing had an influence on the evolution of shape and size of a baptismal bowl. It also describes theological meaning of a baptismal bowl in the context of analysing the rituals of liturgy of baptism, which was renewed after the Second Vatican Council. In terms of Ritual and Ceremonies of Blessing a baptismal bowl is a real baptismal source. Mention should be made of the fact that it is necessary to tell the difference between a baptistery which means a separated building outside the church and chapel, which is situated in church, or another place in a church building. This place is created only for giving the sacrament of holy baptism. Not all the parishes can have a special baptistery, but all of them must have a baptismal bowl (the baptismal source) where the sacrament of holy baptism is given. In post-conciliar liturgical books the baptismal bowl is called the source of salvation or a gate of spiritual life of Christ, or a kind of her womb thanks to which people are born to a new life through water and Holy Spirit. In the renewed liturgy, which emphasizes the Paschal character of the sacrament of holy baptism, a baptismal bowl appears as a place of transition from death to life, because the ones who are born in this world are infected by the dirt of original sin, then washed in it by streams of baptismal water they are incorporated in Christ. In this way they regain their original purity and impeccability and their souls are fertilized by the riches of virtues. The baptismal source can be also described as a place of reaching divine alliance, because baptism is the first sacrament of New Alliance in which people experience ontic relationship with Christ and are united with His Body. In this meaning a baptismal bowl in post-conciliar liturgy appears as locus theologicus, since apart from the pulpit and the altar it creates historical-saving triad in the architecture of faith, and its design and artistry can become the source of deep theological reflections.