Some of our fonts, in rooms by themselves, keep this tradition, but small rooms make it difficult for the assembly to celebrate with the newly baptized. For this reason, other fonts are placed in or near the sanctuary, for better visibility, or near the door of the church, to symbolize our entry into the Christian community. In churches where the faithful enter each Sunday past the baptistery, they may use it to sign themselves with holy water. We remind ourselves of our baptism in Christ each time we enter our churches. It helps visibility but lacks the reverence of a stable place.
Many fonts are large enough for full immersion of the candidate.
Others are small to accommodate pouring water over the head of an infant. Both forms of baptism are permitted, but a renewed interest in immersion in the universal church is introducing larger fonts in full view of the assembly, suitable for fully symbolizing our death and rising in Christ. Some fonts resemble fountains, with flowing water even when baptisms are not celebrated. The running water symbolizes life in Christ. The font is one of the most sacred areas of our churches.