Ok, let’s try to wrap up this series on the Sacrament of Baptism. We’ll continue where we left off with the Rite of Baptism, itself.
III. Celebration of the Sacrament:
- Blessing and Invocation of God over Baptismal Water
· This prayer is reminiscent of the scriptural signs of baptism and asks that the water be given the grace of Christ Jesus, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom God has created in His likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit. The celebrant touches the water and asks God to send the Holy Spirit upon the waters of the font. He asks for all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptism to rise also with Him to newness of life.
- Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith
· The celebrant questions the parents and godparents about their rejection of Satan, sin, and the glamour of evil. Next he questions them about their faith in God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. The celebrant offers an affirmation of the inquiry to which all respond: “Amen.”
- Baptism
· The celebrant invites the family to the font and asks if it is the will of the parents that their child be baptized.
· He baptizes the child in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, immersing or pouring water upon the child after each person of the Trinity.
· The symbolism of water signifies the Holy Spirit’s action in Baptism, since after the invocation of the Holy Spirit it becomes the efficacious sacramental sign of new birth: just as the gestation of our first birth took place in water, so the water of Baptism truly signifies that our birth into the divine life is given to us in the Holy Spirit. As “by one Spirit we were all baptized,” so we are also “made to drink of one Spirit.” Thus the Spirit is also personally the living water welling up from Christ crucified as its source and welling up in us to eternal life. (CCC 694)
IV. Explanatory Rites:
- Anointing after Baptism
· The celebrant proclaims that God has freed the newly baptized from sin and brought him to new life through water and the Holy Spirit. He then anoints the crown of the child’s head symbolic of Christ as Priest, Prophet, and King (positions which are installed through ceremonial anointing)
- Clothing with White Garment
· The celebrant explains that the newly baptized has become a new creation and has clothed himself in Christ. The white garment is placed on the child as an outward sign of his Christian dignity.
- Lighted Candle
· A member of the family of the newly baptized lights the child’s candle from the Easter candle and is told by the celebrant to “Receive the light of Christ.”
· The celebrant then instructs the parents and godparents to keep the light burning brightly that the child may keep the flame of faith alive in his heart.
- Ephphetha (Prayer over Ears and Mouth)—OPTIONAL
· Ephphetha is a Greek word meaning “be opened.”
· The celebrant touches the ears and mouth of the child with his thumb asking that God touch the ears of the child to receive His word, and the mouth of the child to proclaim His faith.
V. Conclusion of the Rite:
- Procession to the altar (unless baptism was performed in the sanctuary)
- Lord’s Prayer
· Celebrant stands in front of the altar and addresses the assembly saying that the newly baptized are now called children of God. He also foretells that in Confirmation they will receive the fullness of God’s Spirit, and that in Holy Communion they will share the banquet of Christ’s Sacrifice. The Lord’s Prayer follows this.
- Blessing and Dismissal
· Celebrant gives a final blessing to the assembly and invites them to go in peace to which they respond: “Thanks be to God.”
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
--Matthew 28:19-20
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