Circumcision

The rite of circumcision in the Old Law was a preparation for baptism, and a figure of baptism. For it was a proclamation of faith by which a man was aggregated to the body ofthe faithful.

Circumcision was instituted in the person of Abraham who was the first to receive the promise of the birth of Christ as of his seed or line (Gen. 22:18), and was the first to segregatehimself from unbelievers.

Circumcision was established as a sign of faith; it wasa work of the all-wise God.

Circumcision remitted original sin and conferred grace as a sign of faith in Christ’s coming Passion. Baptism confersgrace by the power of the sacrament itself as the instrument of Christ’s accomplished Passion.