| During the Easter Vigil, after the Liturgy of the Word, the elect are presented to the congregation. Then the Litany of the Saints is prayed. Our brothers and sisters who surround the throne of God are asked to pray for those who will join them in the Communion of Saints. Then the baptismal water is blessed: Father, you give us grace through sacramental signs, which tell us of 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 our 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 it the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit. We ask you, Father, with your Son, to send the Holy Spirit upon the waters 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. Amen. After the elect renounce sin and profess their faith, they are baptized. Baptism by immersion best symbolizes the realtiy that the baptized are buried with Christ and born again to newness of life. See Paul's Letter to the Romans 6:1-11. They are immersed three times- or Water is poured over their heads three times- as the celebrant says: I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. |
| (Baptism of Infants) Since the beginning of Christianity, the Church has baptized children as well as adults. St. Paul baptized his jailer and the man's entire household: "Then he and all his family were baptized at once" (Acts 16:33). See also Acts 16:14-15 and 1 Corinthians 1:16. But children are to be baptized only if there is a reasonable belief that they will be brought up in the faith. The pastor has the responsibility to provide instruction for parents who wish their children to be baptized. Most parishes have special classes for them. Formerly, the rite of baptism was the same for adults and children. Since Vatican II, there is a special rite for the baptism of children which emphasizes the obligations of parents and godparents. If one of the parents is not a Catholic, he or she may remain silent while the other professes the faith. The non-Catholic parent needs only to permit the child to be reared in the faith. The following are excerpts from the Rite of Baptism for Children: The priest (deacon) speaks to the parents: You have asked to have your children baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsiblity of training them in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring them up to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking? Parents: We do. Then he addresses the godparents: Are you ready to help these parents in their duty as Christian parents? Godparents: We are. The celebrant continues: My dear children, the Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name I claim you for Christ our Savior by the sign of his cross. I now trace the cross on your foreheads, and invite your parents and godparents to do the same. He signs each child on the forehead and the parents and godparents do the same. It is a beautiful custom for parents to continue this practice each night, especially as a part of family prayer. The actual baptism may be done by immersion or the pouring of water. (See adult rite above.) After the child is baptized and has been clothed in the baptismal garment and received the baptismal candle, the celebrant addresses those present: Dearly beloved, this child has been reborn in baptism. He/she is now called a 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. The celebrant concludes by praying for the parents: 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 these children. They now thank God for the gift of their children. May they be one with them in thanking him forever in heaven, in Chris Jesus our Lord. Amen. God is the giver of all life, human and divine. May he bless the fathers of these children. With their wives they will be the first teachers of their children in the ways of faith. May they be the best of teachers, bearing witness to the faith by what they say and do, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Catholics who have been baptized as infants should be confirmed at an age determined by the bishop after appropriate preparation. |