THE HOLY BAPTISM THE SERVICE OF BAPTISM

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1 THE HOLY BAPTISM + The same form of service is prescribed whether the person to be baptised is a child or an adult. When it is a child being baptised, the priest shall ask what name it is to be given. The water for baptism shall be pure and preferably lukewarm. The number of godparents is usually three, and there should not be more than five. If the parents come with a baptismal candle in the hands of the child, the assistant may light it while the actual baptism is taking place. The priest gives the parents or godparents the candle at the end of the address [10] with the words that are printed there. THE SERVICE OF BAPTISM When baptism takes place during the Mass, it comes immediately after section [1], the Opening Prayer, or between the Epistle and the Gospel. When it takes place in the family home, it may either follow this form or the form prescribed for a separate baptismal service. The congregation sits, unless something else is prescribed in the rubrics. The priest and the baptismal party go together to the font at the beginning of the baptismal hymn. 1 The Hymn After the opening prayer, one of the baptismal hymns is sung [numbers 250, 251, 252, 254 or 255]. The hymn may be divided up in such a way that its first part is sung at the beginning and the last portion at the end of the ceremony.. 2 The Address At the end of the hymn, the priest delivers the following address: P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Holy Scripture says: see what sort of love God the Father has shown us, that we should be called his children. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has loved us without being asked. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. He takes us to himself in holy baptism, so that we might be his own and children of our heavenly Father in his eternal kingdom. 3 Scripture Readings

2 P: Let us now hear the witness of God s Word concerning holy baptism. The priest, or reader, (which might, for example, be one of the godparents), reads Matthew 28: When that passage has been read, the priest, or a reader, reads Mark 10: If the baptism is that of an adult, John 3: 3-5 is read instead. 4 Baptismal Prayers One of the following prayers is said: P: Let us pray. 1 Almighty, everlasting God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon you for this child, and pray to you to grant him/her your gift of baptism, the eternal grace for washing of rebirth. Take him/her to yourself and just as your Son has said Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened for you, so give this child your gifts and open up for him/her the door of your grace, so that he/she may receive your eternal blessing and entrance into your kingdom, which you have promised for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Almighty God, our creator, we thank you for the wonder of your creation, which you have allowed us to behold in this child, this precious gift, with which you enrich us, and for the trust that you show us. Grant to our hearts and minds warmth and love, strength and determination, so that we can make him/her secure and communicate to him/her your love. We bring him/her to you with confidence in your promise and pray: Grant him/her the promise of baptism. Give him/her your Holy Spirit that it might awaken and quicken everything good that you have entrusted to his/her soul. For the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. 3 Almighty God, eternal Father, grant this child your blessing and the gift of eternal life through this washing of baptism, which is made holy by your Word and promise. Wash him/her in the water of life so that his/her soul may be cleansed, born anew to life in you, clothed in Christ, and grow to salvation in your holy Church through your Holy Sprit. Let this child, and all children, stand steadfast in the grace of your baptism, and, at the end, be made visible before your eyes in the righteous clothing of your justice in Jesus Christ.

3 Immediately afterwards the priest says this prayer over the font: P: How beautiful is your name in all the earth, everlasting God. Send your Spirit over this water of baptism, just as, in the beginning, you created the light and life with your Word, and your Spirit hovered over the waters. For the sake of Jesus Christ, be to you, Holy Father, honour and glory in the unity of the Holy Spirit. (At this point the priest makes the sign of the cross over the water) 5 The Confession of Faith P: Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his great mercy wishes this child to be born again to living hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Let us all confess the faith into which we Christian people were baptised. C: The congregation says together The Apostles Creed. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, He is seated at the right hand of the Father. And He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. 6 Signing with the Cross

4 If more than one child is to be baptised, sections 6-8 should be repeated for each of them. P: May the Lord preserve your coming in and your going out from now to eternity. Then the priest makes the sign of the cross on the forehead and breast of each child, during which he says: P: Take this sign of the holy cross, both on your forehead + and on your breast + as a testimony that your mind and heart are dedicated to faith in the crucified and uprisen Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Baptismal Questions P: What is this child to be called? or What is the name of this child? R: [Name] The priest lays his hand on the head of the child and prays: P: Lord God, or Father, you call us by name and do not ever forget us. Write the name of this child [Name] into the book of life and let him/her never depart from you. 8 The Baptism The priest pours water onto the child three times, during which he says: P: [Name] I baptise you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Then the priest lays his hand on the head of the child and says: P: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has now given you rebirth through water and the Holy Spirit, take you into the kingdom of his beloved Son, where there is forgiveness of sins, life and salvation; may he strengthen you with his grace unto eternal life. Peace be with you. The parents and godparents answer: Amen.

5 P: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you with his grace unto eternal life. Peace be with you. The parents and godparents answer: Amen. P: Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who through baptism has now taken you into the fellowship of his Son, where there is forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation; may he strengthen you with his grace unto eternal life. Peace be with you. The parents and godparents answer: Amen. 9 Intercessions When the child has been baptised, the priest says: P: Let us all pray together for this child in the way that our Lord has taught us. The parents and godparents may lay their hands on the head of the child. C: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. P: The blessing of almighty God, + Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you all. 10 Address P: Dear brothers and sisters, you are witnesses that this child is now baptised in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. By this action, loving friends of the child, the responsibility is laid on you of bringing him/her up in the light of the promises of baptism, teaching him/her to love God, worship Him, preserve his Word and Sacrament, and serve his/her neighbours in live. To this end, may God grant you his grace. Amen. If the child is given a candle, the priest shall hand it over with these words (before the final sentence To this end, may God grant you his grace.

6 P: Take this light. May it be to you a sign of the new life which the child has now been born with in this washing of baptism. Jesus says: I am the light of the world; whosoever would follow me should not walk in the dark but have the light of life. And about us he says: You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father, who is in heaven. Let this light remind you of that. Light it when you pray with the child or whenever you have a reason to pray or give thanks. God grant you his grace. Amen. Then a baptismal hymn is sung, or some other hymn (e.g. number 26), which is, at the same time, the entrance hymn for the Mass.