The Ceremony
Identifying
the official minister for the ceremony
Bishop no longer involved / minister of baptism expanded. The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and priest, and sometimes also the deacon or lay person.
Identifying the participants in the ceremony
Parents: Baptism is about passing of faith, the message of Jesus, the values of the Gospel. It’s the parents role to pass on their faith to their child.
When infants are baptised, the Christian parents who have given birth to this newborn soul, a gift of God, have an obligation to nurture its new life in the light of God. (C.C.C. # 1251)
Godparents: Appointed as Christian models in their life. Because Baptism is the Sacrament of faith, when godparents speak on behalf of infants, they are asked what do they ask of God's Church? To this question, they answer, "Faith". (C.C.C. # 1253)
The parents and godparents of newly baptised infants bear the main responsibility for their spiritual growth and the safeguarding of the grace that the infants receive during the Sacrament of Baptism. (C.C.C. # 1255)
Community: those who are invited and gather to bare witness to this celebration, and welcome a new member to the community
Candidate: usually a new born child, who will be welcomed into God’s family and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Bishop no longer involved / minister of baptism expanded. The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and priest, and sometimes also the deacon or lay person.
Identifying the participants in the ceremony
Parents: Baptism is about passing of faith, the message of Jesus, the values of the Gospel. It’s the parents role to pass on their faith to their child.
When infants are baptised, the Christian parents who have given birth to this newborn soul, a gift of God, have an obligation to nurture its new life in the light of God. (C.C.C. # 1251)
Godparents: Appointed as Christian models in their life. Because Baptism is the Sacrament of faith, when godparents speak on behalf of infants, they are asked what do they ask of God's Church? To this question, they answer, "Faith". (C.C.C. # 1253)
The parents and godparents of newly baptised infants bear the main responsibility for their spiritual growth and the safeguarding of the grace that the infants receive during the Sacrament of Baptism. (C.C.C. # 1255)
Community: those who are invited and gather to bare witness to this celebration, and welcome a new member to the community
Candidate: usually a new born child, who will be welcomed into God’s family and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Identifying Steps in the Ceremony
1. Reception of the Child
Questioning of faith - parents and godparents
Candidate is sealed with the sign of the cross (mark of Jesus)
Prayer of exorcism: freedom from original sin; indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Oil of chrism is rubbed into forehead: symbol of strength; sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit; sharing the service of all believers.
2. Liturgy of the Word
Scripture reading: Word of the Lord; evoking faith.
Homily
Intercessions
3. Celebration of the Sacrament
Blessing of the water: act of pouring over their head: associated with the forgiveness of sins.
Profession of faith: faith proclaimed by parents/godparents on behalf of the candidate.
Anointing with chrism
White garment: putting on Christ; Christian dignity; purity and new creation
Candle: paschal candle; light of Jesus; symbol of faith
Scriptures (Ephphatha): healing; openness to hear; courage to speak the Word of God
4. Concluding Rite
Lord's prayer: prayer of Christ for all people
Blessings: mother, father, all community.
1. Reception of the Child
Questioning of faith - parents and godparents
Candidate is sealed with the sign of the cross (mark of Jesus)
Prayer of exorcism: freedom from original sin; indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Oil of chrism is rubbed into forehead: symbol of strength; sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit; sharing the service of all believers.
2. Liturgy of the Word
Scripture reading: Word of the Lord; evoking faith.
Homily
Intercessions
3. Celebration of the Sacrament
Blessing of the water: act of pouring over their head: associated with the forgiveness of sins.
Profession of faith: faith proclaimed by parents/godparents on behalf of the candidate.
Anointing with chrism
White garment: putting on Christ; Christian dignity; purity and new creation
Candle: paschal candle; light of Jesus; symbol of faith
Scriptures (Ephphatha): healing; openness to hear; courage to speak the Word of God
4. Concluding Rite
Lord's prayer: prayer of Christ for all people
Blessings: mother, father, all community.
Principe gifts shared through
Baptism are
We are freed from original sin
We share in the divine nature of the Holy Spirit
We become a member of the Body of Christ
We are freed from original sin
We share in the divine nature of the Holy Spirit
We become a member of the Body of Christ