The rituals present during Baptism
Rituals are words or actions that are
noticed during the celebration of a sacrament. In today’s society rituals of
Baptism have changed over the years compared to the way it was performed during
Jesus’ time. The Bible explains that the main ritual of Baptism is the
immersion of a person in water to get rid of their sins and to welcome them
into the faith of God. Below is a list of other rituals that are seen during a
baptismal ceremony.
Gathered Assembly: The celebration of this sacrament is in the presence of a welcoming assembly. Relatives, neighbors, friends, family and the entire parish community of the person being baptised are present at the baptism and are gathered to welcome the person being baptised into the Christian community (Skinner, 1998).
Godparents: During the baptismal ceremony, Godparents of adults witness to the person being baptised. Godparents of children speak on their behalf. In both cases Godparents will commit to being faith companions and spiritual guides to the one being baptised (Skinner, 1998).
Baptismal Font/ Promises: The font is located near the door of the Church (to remind people entering into the Church that baptism is the key entrance into the Church) or near the sanctuary (reminding us that the Eucharistic celebration completes the initiation begun at Baptism). It is a large bowl, usually stone, marble or glass holding the waters of Baptism. Generally the mother of the child holds the child and the celebrant asks the parents what they want for the child, the parents will respond with ‘Baptism’. Than the parents make the Baptismal promises on behalf of their child, these promises are based on the Apostles Creed (Skinner, 1998).
Sign of the Cross: People are welcomed under the sign of the cross. When you enter into the Church the priest traces the cross on the forehead of the person being baptised, parents and Godparents are invited to do the same (Skinner, 1998). The ritual of tracing the cross on the forehead symbols that the person being baptised is being accepted into the life of the Christ.
Prayer of Exorcism and the Anointing before Baptism: The priest says a prayer over the person being baptised asking for God to drive away all the evil spirits which plague the human community and cause us to turn away from God (Skinner, 1998).
Blessing of Water: The water represents the person about to enter into baptism is being baptised into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus’ (Skinner, 1998).The priest pours water over the head of the one being baptised (or immerses the person in the water) and says the words "I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." This is for cleansing and is a sign that our sins are washed away. Baptism cleanses us of original sin with which we are all born and, in the baptism of adults, of every sin committed prior to baptism. Water is also necessary for life and so is a sign, too, that the life of the risen Christ is ours. It is also a sign of life. Without water nothing can grow. It is a sign of the new spiritual life into which the baptised person is entering.
Baptismal certificate and Baptismal register: At the end of the ceremony the parents sign the parish Baptismal register and they will receive a Baptismal Certificate, the child or adults name will be recorded in the Parish Baptismal Register. The certificate should be kept in a safe place as it may be needed when parents enroll their child in a Catholic school or before they receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.
Gathered Assembly: The celebration of this sacrament is in the presence of a welcoming assembly. Relatives, neighbors, friends, family and the entire parish community of the person being baptised are present at the baptism and are gathered to welcome the person being baptised into the Christian community (Skinner, 1998).
Godparents: During the baptismal ceremony, Godparents of adults witness to the person being baptised. Godparents of children speak on their behalf. In both cases Godparents will commit to being faith companions and spiritual guides to the one being baptised (Skinner, 1998).
Baptismal Font/ Promises: The font is located near the door of the Church (to remind people entering into the Church that baptism is the key entrance into the Church) or near the sanctuary (reminding us that the Eucharistic celebration completes the initiation begun at Baptism). It is a large bowl, usually stone, marble or glass holding the waters of Baptism. Generally the mother of the child holds the child and the celebrant asks the parents what they want for the child, the parents will respond with ‘Baptism’. Than the parents make the Baptismal promises on behalf of their child, these promises are based on the Apostles Creed (Skinner, 1998).
Sign of the Cross: People are welcomed under the sign of the cross. When you enter into the Church the priest traces the cross on the forehead of the person being baptised, parents and Godparents are invited to do the same (Skinner, 1998). The ritual of tracing the cross on the forehead symbols that the person being baptised is being accepted into the life of the Christ.
Prayer of Exorcism and the Anointing before Baptism: The priest says a prayer over the person being baptised asking for God to drive away all the evil spirits which plague the human community and cause us to turn away from God (Skinner, 1998).
Blessing of Water: The water represents the person about to enter into baptism is being baptised into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus’ (Skinner, 1998).The priest pours water over the head of the one being baptised (or immerses the person in the water) and says the words "I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." This is for cleansing and is a sign that our sins are washed away. Baptism cleanses us of original sin with which we are all born and, in the baptism of adults, of every sin committed prior to baptism. Water is also necessary for life and so is a sign, too, that the life of the risen Christ is ours. It is also a sign of life. Without water nothing can grow. It is a sign of the new spiritual life into which the baptised person is entering.
Baptismal certificate and Baptismal register: At the end of the ceremony the parents sign the parish Baptismal register and they will receive a Baptismal Certificate, the child or adults name will be recorded in the Parish Baptismal Register. The certificate should be kept in a safe place as it may be needed when parents enroll their child in a Catholic school or before they receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.
http://www.stjohnchrysostom.on.ca/resources/baptism/Baptism_Ritual.pdf