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~~~
Reception of
the Child ~~~
If possible, baptism should
take place on Sunday, the day on which the Church celebrates the
paschal mystery. It should be conferred in a communal
celebration in the presence of the faithful, or at least of
relatives, friends, and neighbours, who are all to take an
active part in the rite.
It is the role of the
father and mother, accompanied by the godparents, to present the
child for baptism. The people may sing a psalm or hymn suitable
for the occasion. Meanwhile the celebrant, vested in alb or
surplice, with stole (with or without a cope) of festive colour,
and accompanied by ministers, goes to the entrance of the church
or to that part of the church where the parents and godparents
are waiting with the child.
The celebrant greets all
present, and especially the parents and godparents, reminding
them briefly of the joy with which the parents welcomed the
child as a gift from God, the source of life, who now wishes to
bestow life on this little one.
First the celebrant questions
the parents:
Celebrant: What name do
you give your child?
Parents:
N.
Celebrant: What do you
ask of Gods church for N..?
Parents:
Baptism.
The Celebrant addresses the
parents in these or similar words:
Celebrant: You have
asked to have your child baptised. In doing so you are
accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the
practise of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him (her)
up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God
and our neighbour. Do you clearly understand what you are
undertaking?
Parents:
We do.
Then the Celebrant turns to the
godparents and addresses them in these or similar words:
Celebrant: Are you
ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as
Christian parents?
Godparents:
We are.
Celebrant:
N., the Christian
community welcomes you with great joy. In its name I claim you
for Christ our Saviour by the sign of the cross. I now trace
the cross on your forehead, and invite your parents (and
godparents) to do the same.
He signs the child on the
forehead, in silence. Then he invites the parents and (if it
seems appropriate) the godparents to do the same. The celebrant
invites the parents, godparents, and the others to take part in
the liturgy of the Word.
~~~
Celebration of God’s Word
~~~
Scriptural Readings and Homily
One or more scripture passages
are read, during which all may sit if convenient.
Celebrant: The Lord be
with you.
All:
And also with you.
Celebrant:
A Reading from the Holy Gospel
according to John (3:1-6)
All:
Glory to you O Lord.
There was one of the Pharisees called Nicodemus, a leading Jew,
who came to Jesus by night saying “ Rabbi, we know that you are
a teacher who comes from God; for no one could perform the signs
that you do unless God were with him. Jesus answered:
“I tell you most solemnly,
unless man is born from above,
he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said “How can a grown man be born? Can he go back
into the mother’s womb and be born again? Jesus replied
“I tell you most solemnly,
unless a man is born through water and the Spirit,
he cannot enter the kingdom of God,
what is born of the flesh is flesh,
what is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Celebrant: This is the
Gospel of the Lord.
All:
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
After the reading the celebrant
gives a short homily, explaining to those present the
significance of what has been read. His purpose will be to lead
them to a deeper understanding of the mystery of baptism and to
encourage the parents to a ready acceptance of the
responsibilities which arise from the sacrament.
After the homily, or in the
course of or after the liturgy, it is desirable to have a period
of silence while all pray at the invitation of the celebrant.
If convenient, a suitable hymn may follow.
Intercessions (Prayer of the
Faithful)
Celebrant: My brothers
and sisters, let us ask our Lord Jesus Christ to look lovingly
on this child who is to be baptized, on his (her) parents and
godparents, and on all the baptized.
#1: By the mystery of
your death and resurrection, bathe this child in light, give
him (her) the new life of baptism and welcome him (her) into
your holy Church. Lord hear us.
All:
Lord graciously hear us.
#2: Through baptism
and confirmation, make him (her) your faithful follower and
witness to your gospel. Lord hear us.
All:
Lord graciously hear us.
#3: Lead him (her) by
a holy life to the joys of God's kingdom.
Lord hear us.
All:
Lord graciously hear us.
#4: Make the lives of
his (her) parents and godparents examples of faith to inspire
this child. Lord hear us.
All:
Lord graciously hear us.
#5: Keep his (her)
family always in your love. Lord hear us.
All:
Lord graciously hear us.
#6: Renew the grace of
our baptism in each one of us. Lord hear us.
All:
Lord graciously hear us.
The celebrant next invites all
present to invoke the saints.
Celebrant:
Holy Mary, Mother of God
All:
pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist
All: pray for us.
Saint Joseph
All: pray for us.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul
All: pray for us.
St. N.
All: pray for us.
The names of other saints may
be added, especially the patrons of the child to be baptised,
and of the church or locality. The litany concludes.
All you saints of God
All: pray for us.
Prayer of Exorcism and Anointing
Before Baptism
After the invocation, the
celebrant says:
Celebrant: We anoint
you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Saviour;
may he strengthen you with his power, who lives and reigns for
ever and ever.
All:
Amen.
He anoints the child on the
breast with the Oil of Catechumens.
Then they go to the baptistery,
or to the sanctuary when baptism is celebrated there on
occasion.
~~~
Celebration of the Sacrament
~~~
When they come to the font, the celebrant briefly reminds the
congregation of the wonderful work of God whose plan it is to
sanctify man, body and soul, through water. He may use these or
similar words:
Blessing and Invocation of God
over Baptismal Water
Then, turning to the font, he
says the following blessing (Outside the Easter Season):
(a)
Celebrant: Father,
you give us grace through sacramental signs, which tells us
the wonders of your unseen power.
In Baptism we use your gift of water, which you have made a rich
symbol of the grace you give us in this sacrament.
At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters,
making them the wellspring of all holiness.
The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the waters of
Baptism, that make an end of sin and a new beginning of
goodness.
Through the waters of the Red Sea you led Israel out of slavery,
to be an image of God's holy people, set free from sin by
Baptism. In the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptized by
John and anointed with the Spirit. Your Son willed that water
and blood should flow from his side as he hung upon the cross.
After his resurrection he told his disciples: “Go out and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Father, look now with love
upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of Baptism.
By the power of the Spirit give to the water of this font the
grace of your Son. You created man in your own likeness: cleanse
him from sin in a new birth to innocence by water and the
Spirit.
The
celebrant touches the water with his right hand and continues:
Celebrant:
We ask you, Father, with your
Son to send the Holy Spirit upon the water of this font. May
all who are buried with Christ in the death of Baptism rise
also with him to newness of life. (We ask this) through Christ
our Lord.
en.
(b)
Celebrant: Praise to
you, almighty God and Father, for you have created water to
cleanse and to give life.
All:
Blessed be God.
Celebrant: Praise to
you, Lord Jesus Christ, the Father’s only Son, for you offered
yourself on the cross, that in the blood and water flowing
from your side, and through your death and resurrection, the
Church might be born.
All:
Blessed be God.
Celebrant: Praise to
you, God the Holy Spirit, for you anointed Christ at his
baptism in the waters of Jordan, so that we might all be
baptized in you.
All:
Blessed be God.
Celebrant: Come to,
Lord, Father of all, and make holy this water which you have
created, so that all who are baptised in it may be washed clean
of sin and be born again to live as your children.
All:
Hear us, Lord.
Celebrant: Make this
water holy, Lord, so that all who are baptised in it may be
washed clean of sin and be born again to live as your children.
All:
Hear us, Lord.
The celebrant touches the water
with his right hand and continues:
Celebrant: Lord, make
holy this water which you have created, so that all those whom
you have chosen may be born again by the power of the Holy
Spirit, and may take their place among your holy people.
All:
Hear us, Lord.
If the baptismal water has
already been blessed, the celebrant omits the invocation ‘Come
to us, Lord’ and those that follow it, and says:
Celebrant: You called
your child N. to this
cleansing water that he (she) may share in the faith of your
Church and eternal life. By the mystery of this consecrated
water lead him (her) to a new and spiritual birth.
(We ask this) through Christ our Lord.
All:
Amen.
(c)
During the Easter season, if
there is baptismal water which was consecrated at the Easter
Vigil, the blessing and invocation of God over the water are
nevertheless included, so that the theme of thanksgiving and
petition may find a place in the baptism.
Celebrant:
Father, God of mercy, through these
waters of baptism you have filled us with new life as your
very own children.
All:
Blessed be God.
Celebrant:
From all who are baptized in water and the Holy Spirit, you have
formed one people, united in your Son, Jesus Christ.
All:
Blessed be God.
Celebrant:
You have set us free and filled our hearts with the Spirit of
your love, that we may live in your peace.
All:
Blessed be God.
Celebrant:
You call those who have been baptized to announce the Good News
of Jesus Christ to people everywhere.
All:
Blessed be God.
If the baptismal
water has already been blessed, the celebrant omits this last
prayer and says:
Celebrant:
You have called your children, N. & N., to this cleansing water,
that they may share in the faith of
your Church and have eternal life. By the mystery of this
consecrated water lead them to a new and spiritual birth.
We ask this through Christ our
Lord.
All:
Amen.
Renunciation of Sin and
Profession of Faith.
Celebrant: Dear
parents and godparents: You have come here to present this child
for baptism. By water and the Holy Spirit he (she) is to
receive the gift of new life from God, who is love.
On your part, you must make it your constant care to bring him
(her) up in the faith. See that the divine life which God gives
him (her) is kept safe from poison of sin, to grow always
stronger in his (her) heart.
If your faith makes you ready to accept this responsibility,
renew now the vows of your baptism. Reject sin; profess your
faith in Christ Jesus. This is the faith of the Church. This
is the faith in which this child is about to be baptised.
The celebrant questions the
parents and godparents.
Celebrant: Do you
reject Satan?
Parents & Godparents:
I do.
Celebrant: And all
his works?
Parents & Godparents:
I do.
Celebrant: And all
his empty promises?
Parents & Godparents:
I do.
Next the celebrant asks for the
threefold profession of faith from the parents and godparents.
Celebrant: Do you
believe in the God the Father, almighty, creator of heaven and
earth?
Parents & Godparents:
I do.
Celebrant: Do you
believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, who was born of
the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from
the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Parents & Godparents:
I do.
Celebrant: Do you
believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the
communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection
of the body, and life everlasting?
Parents & Godparents:
I do.
The celebrant and the
congregation give their assent to this profession of faith:
Celebrant: This is our
faith. This is the faith of the Church, we are proud to profess
it, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All:
Amen.
Baptism
The celebrant invites the
family to the font and questions the parents and godparents:
Celebrant: Is it your
will that N. be baptised
in the faith of the Church, which we have all professed with
you?
Parents:
It is.
He baptises the child, saying:
Celebrant:
N., I BAPTISE YOU IN THE
NAME OF THE FATHER
He immerses the child or pours
water upon it.
Celebrant: AND OF THE
SON
He immerses the child or pours
water upon it a second time.
Celebrant: AND OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT.
He immerses the child or pours
water upon it a third time.
After the child is baptised, it
is appropriate for the people to sing a short acclamation:
This is the fountain of life,
water made holy by the suffering of Christ, washing all the
world.
You who are washed in this water have hope of heaven’s kingdom.
Anointing After Baptism
Celebrant: God the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given
you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you
into his holy people. He now anoints you with the chrism of
salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so
may you live always as members of his body, sharing everlasting
life.
All:
Amen.
Then the celebrant anoints the
child on the crown of the head with the sacred chrism, in
silence.
Clothing with the White Garment
Celebrant:
N., you have become a new
creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. See in this
white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With
your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring
that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven.
All:
Amen.
The white garment is put on the
child. A different colour is not permitted unless demanded by
local custom. It is desirable that the family provide the
garment.
The Lighted Candle
The Celebrant takes the Easter
Candle and says:
Celebrant: Receive the
light of Christ.
Someone from the family (such
as the father or godfather) lights the child’s candle from the
Easter Candle. The Celebrant then says:
Celebrant: Parents and
Godparents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning
brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ.
He (she) is to walk always as a child of the light. May he (she)
keep the flame of faith alive in his (her) heart. When the
Lord comes, may he (she) go out to meet him with all the saints
in the heavenly kingdom.
Ephphetha
The rite of Ephphetha follows.
The celebrant touches the ears and mouth of the child with his
thumb, saying:
Celebrant: The Lord
Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon touch
your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his
faith. To the praise and glory of God the Father.
All:
Amen.
~~~
Conclusion of the Rite
~~~
Next there is a procession to
the altar, unless the baptism was performed in the sanctuary.
The lighted candle is carried for the child.
A baptismal song is appropriate
at this time, e.g.:.
You have put on Christ,
in him you have been baptised.
Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord’s Prayer
The celebrant stands in front
of the altar and addresses the parents, godparents, and the
whole assembly in these or similar words:
Celebrant: Dearly
beloved, this child has been reborn in baptism. He (she) is now
called the child of God, for so indeed he (she) is. In
confirmation he (she) will receive the fullness of God's Spirit.
In holy communion he (she) will share the banquet of Christ's
sacrifice, calling God his (her) Father in the midst of the
Church. In the name of this child, in the Spirit of our common
sonship, let us pray together in the words our Lord has given
us:
All present join the celebrant
in singing or saying:
All:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it
is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily
bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
Blessing and Dismissal
The celebrant first blesses the
mother, who holds the child in her arms, then the father, and
lastly the entire assembly:
Celebrant: God the
Father, through his Son, the Virgin Mary's child, has brought
joy to all Christian mothers, as they see the hope of eternal
life shine on their children. May he bless the mothers of this
child. They now thank God for the gift of their children. May
they be one with them in thanking him for ever in heaven, in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
All:
Amen.
Celebrant: God is the
giver of all life, human and divine. May he bless the fathers of
this child. With their wives they will be the first teachers of
their children in the ways of faith. May they be also the best
of teachers, bearing witness to the faith by what they say and
do, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All:
Amen.
Celebrant: By God's
gift, through water and the Holy Spirit, we are reborn to
everlasting life. In his goodness, may he continue to pour out
his blessing upon all present, who are his sons and daughters.
May he make them always, wherever they may be, faithful members
of his holy people. May he send his peace upon all who are
gathered here, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All:
Amen.
Celebrant: May almighty
God, the Father, and the Son
X and the Holy
Spirit, bless you and remain with you forever.
All:
Amen.
Celebrant: Go in peace.
All:
Thanks be to God.
Where there is the practice of
bringing the baptised child to the altar of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, this custom may be observed if appropriate. |
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