Pre-Baptismal Ceremony Presentation Notes for co-ordinator Baptism is the most important and basic event of a Christian life. It is the foundation of the Christian life. We are not born a Christian, we become a Christian. BAPTISM CEREMONY The ceremony begins with a warm welcome to you and your family from the priest on behalf of the Christian community The Church. In the country or smaller towns the priest may meet the family at the door, while in larger towns/city it is more likely that he will greet you in your seats. He begins by asking what name you have chosen for your child and whether or not you accept the responsibility of bringing up your child in the practise of faith. What do you ask of God s Church??? 1
The priest addresses you the parents in words similar to these: You have asked to have your child baptised. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him/her in the practise of 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? He then turns to the GODPARENTS that you have chosen for your child and asks them TWO questions!! Will you support these parents to help them bring up this child as a Christian?? Will you help this child to be a good Christian?? Then with you, the parents, and Godparents, he greets your baby with the SIGN OF THE CROSS. A sign on something shows its origins or ownership. The sign of the cross is the mark of Christians for Jesus Christ died on the cross. You and the Godparents trace the sign on the Child s forehead to show that your baby now belongs to Christ, who now offers his help and grace to face and overcome the sufferings of life. 2
LITURGY OF THE WORD The ceremony then moves swiftly on to the celebration of God s word. The classic reading for this event is ROMANS 6. The Responsorial Psalm then takes place, where the word is proclaimed and responded to. In the Gospel Jesus speaks of the new life which baptism brings, and the priest may expand on this in his short homily. Prayers are then offered for your baby, for you and your Families. Finally the prayers of the saints in heaven are asked for so that the baptism becomes a gathering of the whole family of the church. The prayer of EXORCISM is then said over the child, to drive out all evil spirits, leaving a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. This prayer is reinforced by the anointing with the OIL OF CATECHUMENS. This is placed on the breast of the child, to signify that he/she has been chosen to be part of the CHRISTIAN community. 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 for ever and ever. 3
BAPTISM We then move to the baptistery where the child is about to be baptised. The water is blessed, if it hasn t already been done so at the previous Easter vigil. Water is the symbol of life, for without water, there would no life. Water also makes us clean and pure. Baptism signifies the new life and the cleansing from sin won for us when Jesus rose from the dead. Baptism cleanses us of original sin with which we are all born. The priest asks you to renew the promises which were made for you at your own baptism, and which you made for yourself on the day of your confirmation. This also reminds you of your duty to bring up your child as a good Christian. The priest pours the baptismal water over your child s forehead three times, saying I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit 4
BAPTISM CONTD Your baby is now a Christian. Following an ancient custom your baby is anointed with OIL OF CHRISM. In ancient times, chrism was placed on the chosen priests, prophets and kings to signify that they had now become part if the kingdom. Today, it is a sign of sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The profession of faith which you make on behalf of your child at baptism will later be confirmed personally by your child in the sacrament of confirmation when the OIL OF CHRISM will b used again. The oils are blessed annually in this diocese on the Wednesday before Easter in the cathedral of Loughrea by Bishop Kirby. Your baby has now been given the Spirit of Christ and so can reveal this life in the world. As a sign of this power to witness to Christ a WHITE GARMENT is wrapped around your baby. This garment in our tradition is usually a white shawl and it may have been passed down from generation to generation. This garment is a relic of the clothes worn by CHRISTIANS after baptism in the first centuries. 5
During this time, it was a majority of adults who were infact baptised. They would wear the white garment for days as a sign that they had put on a new creation. Today, it is considered more as a sign of innocence and the new life of resurrection. The priest addresses a small prayer to the child in words similar to these: You have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. See in this white garment the outward sign of your CHRISTIAN dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven. Finally, a member of the family, usually the father or Godfather lights the BAPTISMAL CANDLE from the Paschal candle. Some of you may be familiar with the paschal candle which is situated normally in the sanctuary of every Church. It is lit on many special occasions throughout the year. It is also used during the Easter Vigil ceremony in blessing the holy water, which may be also used during your child s baptism. 6
In lighting this candle, it is a reminder that the child is now a child of light and that Christ has now entered into the child s life. The flame itself symbolises the flame of faith which will burn throughout the life of your child. The priest will make a small prayer over the child addressing you and your child s godparents. This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. He/she is to walk always as a child of the light. May he/she keep the flame of faith alive in his/her heart. When the Lord comes, may he/she go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom. The RITE OF EPHPETA is then said by the priest over the child. This is where he blesses the mouth and ears of the child, so that one day, he/she will be able to hear God s word and will go on and proclaim it to others. 7
CONCLUSION The ceremony is now over and the Church sends you on your future life together as a family. We are reminded that we have gathered now, but will meet again at the child s communion and confirmation. This is not an isolated sacrament, but that they are all connected and that this is only the beginning of the child s Christian journey. Everyone pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us the Our Father. This is followed by a special blessing, first for the mother, second for the father and God parents of the child and lastly for all who have taken part in the joyful occasion of welcoming a new member into the Christian community. www.galwaydiocese.ie 8