"God has put His seal upon us"

Brothers and sisters:

As God is faithful, our word to you is not "yes" and "no." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not "yes" and "no," but "yes" has been in him. For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory. But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God; he has also put his seal upon us
and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.

-- 2 Cor 1:18-22

The Holy Spirit has marked us with the seal of the Lord ("Dominicus character") "for the day of redemption." "Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life." The faithful Christian who has "kept the seal" until the end, remaining faithful to the demands of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life "marked with the sign of faith," with his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God - the consummation of faith - and in the hope of resurrection.

-- CCC 1274

(Celebrating the Year of Saint Paul: plaque in Pozzuoli, Italy, commemorating Paul's stop in what was then called 'Puteoli" on his way to Rome. "Paul of Tarsus, Apostle to the Gentiles, magnificent assertor of the truth, landed at the beach of Puteoli and here spent seven days with brethren in the Faith." Photo by author.)