Circumcision

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

Circumcision was instituted in the person of Abrahamwho was the first to receive the promise of the birth of Christ asof 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 graceas 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.