Related Articles
Introduction: The New Fire That Renews Our Lives
On the holiest night of the year—Easter Vigil—there echoes in churches across the world a powerful phrase we often repeat without pausing to grasp its depth: “Yes, I renounce!”
This is not an empty formula or a mere liturgical tradition. It is a spiritual war cry, a declaration of allegiance, and a radical renewal of our Christian identity.
This article is an invitation to rediscover the profound meaning of that proclamation, to understand its history, theological weight, and—above all—to translate it into a new way of living.
1. History: Where Does the Renewal of Baptism Come From?
Baptism in the Early Church
From the very first centuries of Christianity, Baptism was considered a new birth, the true entry into life in Christ. Catechumens, after a long period of preparation (the catechumenate), were baptized during the Easter Vigil, the moment the Church recognized as the center of the liturgical year.
There, in the darkness lit by the Paschal candle, unfolded a liturgy of death and resurrection: the candidate died to sin to rise with Christ.
The renunciation of Satan and his works was an essential part of the rite. Before being immersed in water or having it poured over them, the baptized would turn toward the West (a symbol of darkness) and exclaim: “I renounce you, Satan.” Then, they would turn toward the East (symbol of Christ, the Light) and profess their faith in the Holy Trinity.
Liturgical Renewal After Vatican II
With the liturgical renewal of the 20th century, especially after the Second Vatican Council, the Church recovered the communal and spiritual dimension of the Easter Vigil, including the renewal of baptismal promises by all the faithful.
Thus, every year, Christians are offered the opportunity to return to their roots, to reaffirm their choice for Christ, and to once again break the chains of sin.
2. Theological Relevance: Why Is Renewing Our Baptism So Important?
A Covenant That Needs Rekindling
Baptism is not just a rite of initiation. It is a covenant, a sacred pact that configures us to Christ, incorporates us into His Body—the Church—and makes us temples of the Holy Spirit.
But like any covenant, it requires renewal, awareness, and fidelity. Renewing the baptismal promises during the Easter Vigil is not merely symbolic: it is a reactivation of the sacrament, a reawakening of the grace received, and a conscious stance in life and faith.
Spiritual Combat Is Real
St. Paul says it clearly:
“Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3–4)
This new life demands a rupture with sin and a path of continual conversion. The threefold formula—“Do you renounce Satan? And all his works? And all his empty promises?”—is a bold affirmation that we are in a battle, that we refuse to surrender to evil or the temptations of the world.
3. Practical Applications: Living Baptized, Living Renewed
How can we make this renewal more than an occasional liturgical gesture? Here is a spiritual and pastoral guide to living your baptismal promises every day:
A. “Do you renounce Satan?” — Renouncing evil as a way of life
- Make a brief daily examination of conscience. Ask yourself: Did I let in any form of selfishness, deceit, or resentment today?
- Be aware of the “small doors” through which evil enters: gossip, impure thoughts, envy, spiritual laziness…
- Frequently use sacramentals (holy water, medals, the sign of the cross) as reminders of your baptismal consecration.
B. “And all his works?” — Breaking with structures of sin
- Live a life consistent with the Gospel in your work, relationships, and consumption habits. Being baptized implies a Kingdom ethic.
- Don’t get used to social sins: corruption, slander, injustice. Do what you can to live with integrity.
C. “And all his empty promises?” — Discernment in a confused world
- Not everything the world offers is good, even if it’s trendy. Being Christian today also means swimming against the current.
- Cultivate interior silence and daily prayer to discern between what seems good and what truly is God’s will.
4. After the Vigil: Keeping the Flame Burning
Baptismal grace is not a fleeting spark—it is a flame to be nourished. Here are a few concrete practices:
1. Daily Renewal
Each morning, when making the sign of the cross with holy water, do it consciously as a remembrance of your Baptism. You might say:
“Lord, today I renew my covenant with You. I renounce sin and choose You again.”
2. Frequent Use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Baptism makes us children of God. Confession restores us when we fall. Go often. Don’t let grace rust away.
3. Spiritual Accompaniment
Find a spiritual director or regular confessor to help you grow. The baptized life is not lived alone: we are a community.
4. Eucharistic Life
The Eucharist is the food of the baptized. Attend Sunday Mass as an extension of your baptismal “yes”. Remember: the same Christ who washed you in water now feeds you with His Body.
5. A Timely Call: Be Light in the Midst of Darkness
In a world that has often lost the sense of sin and has relativized evil, the Christian’s “Yes, I renounce” takes on prophetic power. Saying “yes” to Christ today means saying “no” to many things that separate us from Him: ideologies, disordered pleasures, indifference, spiritual lukewarmness.
More than ever, the baptized are called to be light, to radiate hope, and to bear witness that a life transformed by the Gospel is both possible and desirable.
Conclusion: Baptized to Conquer, Sent to Love
The Easter Vigil is not just a ritual. It is a victory won. Christ is risen and has made us participants in His triumph. When you say “Yes, I renounce,” you are proclaiming that your story has been transformed, that you no longer live, but Christ lives in you (Galatians 2:20).
Live, then, as who you are: a child of God, a soldier of light, a witness of the Risen One. Let every day be a renewal of that “yes” you once said (or was said on your behalf) on the day of your Baptism.
And may each Easter not be merely a memory, but a renewal of your soul, your surrender, and your love for the One who conquered death for you.
