Baptism

RITE OF BAPTISM FOR ONE CHILD

Reception of the Child:

The celebrant greets all present and especially the parents and godparents, reminding them briefly of the joy with which the parents welcomed this child as a gift from God, the source of life, who now wishes to bestow his own 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 God’s Church for N.?

Parents: Baptism.

The celebrant speaks to the parents in these or similar words:

You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the practice 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:

Are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian parents?

Godparents: We are.

The celebrant continues:

N., the Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In his name I claim you for Christ our Saviour by the sign of his 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 then invites the parents, godparents and the others to take part in the liturgy of the word.

Celebration of God’s Word:

One of the following gospel passages is read:

a) A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew---28:18-20

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time’.

b) A reading from the holy gospel according to Mark---10:13-16

People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples scolded them, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. In truth I tell you, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it’. Then he embraced them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.

After the reading the celebrant gives a short homily. After the homily or in the course of or after the litany it is desirable to have a period of silence while all pray at the invitation of the celebrant. Then the prayer of the faithful is said:

Celebrant: My dear 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.

Leader: By the mystery of you death and resurrection, bathe this child in light, give him (her) the new life of baptism and welcome him (her) into your holy Church.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: Through baptism and confirmation, make him (her) your faithful follower and a witness to your gospel.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: Lead him (her) by a holy life to the joys of God’s kingdom.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: Make the lives of his (her) parents and godparents examples of faith to inspire this child.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: Keep his (her) family always in your love.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: Renew the grace of our baptism in each one of us.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

The celebrant next invites all present to invoke the saints:

Holy Mary, Mother of God Pray for us

Saint Joseph Pray for us

Saint John the Baptist Pray for us

Saint Peter and Saint Paul Pray for us

(The names of other saints may be added, especially the patrons of the child to be baptized, and of the church or locality)

The litany concludes:

All you saints of God Pray for us

Prayer of exorcism and anointing before Baptism:

After the invocation, the celebrant says:

Almighty and ever-living God, you sent your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness, and bring him into the splendour of your kingdom of light. We pray for this child: set him (her) free from original sin, make him (her) a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him (her). We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The celebrant continues: 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 forever and ever.

All: Amen.

He anoints the child on the breast with the oil of catechumens.

Celebration of the Sacrament

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:

My dear brothers and sisters, we now ask God to give this child new life in abundance through water and the Holy Spirit.

The celebrant then says the following blessings over the water:

Celebrant: Father, God of mercy, through these waters of baptism you have filled us with new lif4e as your very own children.

All: Blessed be God (or some other suitable acclamation by the people)

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.