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Prayers for all Occasions, Needs, and Intentions
RITE OF BAPTISM
Our Birth As Christians
Baptism is our birth
as Christians, our birth as “other Christs.” Through many centuries
Christians loved to view the baptismal font as the womb of holy Mother
Church; for at the font her children come forth alive with a new and
higher life —that of God Himself.
This second birth into God’s own family at the sacred font is the source of new and wonderful privileges. The first of the baptismal graces which needs emphasis in twentieth-century United States is that of our incorporation into Christ, the fact of the Mystical Body.
Baptism makes us members of Christ: “We
were all baptized into one Body . . . you are the Body of Christ and
severally His members” (1 Cor. 12:13, 27). Our head is Christ, and
consequently the thoughts which fill our minds must be His thoughts: “We
have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16). As in a body many cells share
the same dignity, so the many individuals who form Christ’s Body all
share the same godlike dignity; there is then no place for mutual
indignities
or antagonisms; fraternal charity must reign supreme. Because Baptism has
made us all one in Christ, the efforts of each are to the advantage of
all, the suffering of one brings tears to many, a single song of praise
gladdens countless hearts.
Baptism, secondly,
makes us the dwelling-place of the most Blessed Trinity, makes each of us
a holy temple, for “holy is the temple of God, and this temple you
are” (1 Cor. 3:17). God’s active, energizing presence in the baptized
soul transforms it into a creature most pleasing to Himself. Too
frequently we may have limited our attention to the negative aspect of
holy Baptism, that is, its power to remit sin and to cleanse away all
guilt. More marvelous is its fulfillment of Jesus’ last prayer:
“If any one love me,
he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him
and will make our abode with him” (St. John 14:23). And where Father and
Son are, their Spirit must of necessity be: “Do you not know that the
Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16). As we become conscious of
this unspeakable gift our hearts spontaneously welcome the command:
“Glorify and bear God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:10).
Though Baptism confers
such great gifts, it is not a final stage in God’s generosity toward us
— it is only a beginning. Baptism plants the seed, the remaining
sacraments bring it to harvest. All the sacraments are directed toward the
Holy Eucharist, particularly Baptism. Baptism gives me the right to
receive the Holy Eucharist while the Holy Eucharist preserves and makes
fruitful my baptismal privileges. Baptism, by making me share in the
priesthood of Christ through the “character” it imprints, enables me
to share in the offering of the one only Sacrifice; by offering this
Sacrifice with Christ I again renew my baptismal descent with Christ into
death in order to rise again with Him in newness of life. Baptism makes me
a cell in Christ’s Body, the Eucharist nourishes that cell, makes it
healthy, makes it function in a loving, sacrificial spirit of unity with
countless other cells, makes it ever a more fitting dwelling for the
triune God.
Baptism is our birth
as Christians. A little reflection, and this age-old truth becomes fresh
and dynamic. Its power produced the Age of Martyrs and the glories of
patristic Christianity. If we but give holy Baptism the thought and
attention it deserves, its power will vitalize and transform our weak
devotions
into a spirituality strong with the strength of Christ our Head and holy
with the holiness of the indwelling Trinity. Its power will make us
pleasing and acceptable to the eternal Father, for through it we have been
enabled to offer the perfect Sacrifice in and through His Son Christ
Jesus. Truly, holy Baptism is a great sacrament, making us Christians,
making us “a kingdom of priests, a holy people” (1 Pet. 2:9).
RITE OF BAPTISM FOR
ONE CHILD
RECEPTION OF THE CHILD
If possible, baptism
should take place on Sunday, the day on which the Church celebrates the
paschal mystery. It should be conferred in a communal celebration in the
presence of the faithful, or at least of relatives, friends, and
neighbors, who are all to take an active part in the rite.
It is the role of the
father and mother, accompanied by the god-parents, to present the child to
the Church for baptism. The people may sing a psalm or hymn suitable for
the occasion. Meanwhile the celebrating priest or deacon, vested in alb or
surplice, with a stole (with or without a cope) of festive color, and
accompanied by the ministers, goes to the entrance of the church or to
that part of the church where the parents and godparents are waiting with
the child.
The celebrant greets
all present, and especially the parents and godparents, reminding them
briefly of the joy with which the parents welcomed this child as a gift
from God, the source of life, who now wishes to bestow his own life on
this little one.
First the celebrant
questions the parents:
Celebrant: What name
do you give your child? (or: have you given?)
Parents:
N.
Celebrant: What do you
ask of God’s Church for N.?
Parents:
Baptism.
The celebrant may
choose other words for this dialogue.
The first reply may be
given by someone other than the parents if local custom gives him the
right to name the child.
In the second response
the parents may use other words, such as faith or the grace of Christ or
entrance into the Church or eternal life.
The celebrant speaks
to the parents in these or similar words:
You have asked to have
your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of
training him (her) in the practice of the 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 neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are
undertaking?
Parents:
We do.
Then the celebrant
turns to the godparents and addresses them in these or similar words:
Are you ready to help
the parents of this child in their duty as Christian parents?
Godparents:
We are.
The celebrant
continues:
N., 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
forehead, and invite your parents (and godparents) to do the same.
He signs the child on
the forehead, in silence. Then he invites the parents and (if it seems
appropriate) the godparents to do the same.
The celebrant invites
the parents, godparents, and the others to take part in the liturgy of the
word.
CELEBRATION OF GOD’S
WORD
SCRIPTURAL READINGS
AND HOMILY
One or even two gospel
passages are read, during which all may sit if convenient.
+ A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew 28:18-20
The apostles are sent
to preach the gospel and to baptize
Alternate choices of
readings, together with responsorial psalms and verses before the gospel,
are given below.
After the reading, the
celebrant gives a short homily, explaining to those present the
significance of what has been read. His purpose will be to lead them to a
deeper understanding of the mystery of baptism and to encourage the
parents and godparents to a ready acceptance of the responsibilities that
arise from the sacrament.
After the homily, or
in the course of or after the litany, it is desirable to have a period
of silence while all pray at the invitation of the celebrant.
INTERCESSIONS (PRAYER
OF THE FAITHFUL)
Then the prayer of the
faithful is said:
Celebrant: My dear
brothers and sisters, * let us ask our Lord Jesus Christ to look lovingly
on this child who is to be baptized, on his (her) parents and godparents,
and on all the baptized.
*At the discretion of
the priest, other words which seem more suitable under the circumstances,
such friends, dearly beloved, brethren, may be used. This also applies to
parallel instances in the liturgy.
Leader: By the mystery
of your death and resurrection, bathe this child in light, give him (her)
the new life of baptism and welcome him (her) into your holy Church.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader:
Through
baptism and confirmation, make him (her) your faithful follower and a
witness to your gospel.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader:
Lead him (her) by a holy life to the joys of God’s kingdom.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader:
Make the lives of his (her) parents and godparents examples of
faith to inspire this child.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader:
Keep his (her) family always in your love.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader:
Renew the grace of our baptism in each one of us.
All:
Lord, hear our prayer.
The celebrant next
invites all present to invoke the saints.
Holy Mary, Mother of
God, pray for us.
Saint John the
Baptist, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for
us.
Saint Peter and Saint
Paul, pray for us.
The names of other
saints may be added, especially the patrons of the child to be baptized,
and of the church or locality. The litany concludes:
All you saints of God,
pray for us.
PRAYER OF EXORCISM AND
ANOINTING BEFORE BAPTISM
After the invocation,
the celebrant says:
Almighty and
ever-living God, you sent your only Son into the world to cast out the
power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of
darkness, and bring him into the splendor of your kingdom of light. We
pray for this child: set him (her) free from original sin, make him (her)
a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him (her).
(We ask this) through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The celebrant
continues:
I (We) anoint you with
the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Savior; may he strengthen
you with his power, who lives and reigns forever and ever.
All: Amen.
He anoints the child
on the breast with the oil of catechumens.
The anointing before
baptism may be omitted if the celebrant judges the omission to be
pastorally necessary or desirable. In that case he says:
May you have strength in the power of Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns forever and ever.
All: Amen.
And immediately he
lays his hand on the child in silence.
Then they go to the
baptistry, or to the sanctuary when baptism is celebrated there on
occasion.
CELEBRATION OF THE
SACRAMENT
When they come to the
font, the celebrant briefly reminds the congregation of the wonderful work
of God whose plan it is to sanctify man, body and soul, through water.
He may use these or similar words:
My dear brothers and
sisters, we now ask God to give this child new life in abundance through
water and the Holy Spirit.
or:
My dear brothers and
sisters, God uses the sacrament of water to give his divine life to those
who believe in him. Let us turn to him, and ask him to pour his gift of
life from this font on this child he has chosen.
BLESSING AND
INVOCATION OF GOD OVER BAPTISMAL WATER
Then, turning to the
font, he says the following blessing (outside the Easter season). The form
given below may be substituted.
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 your 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 her the fountain of baptism.
By the power of the
Spirit give to the water of this font the grace of your Son.
You created man in
your own likeness: cleanse him from sin in a new birth to innocence by
water and the Spirit.
The celebrant touches
the water with his right hand and continues:
We ask you, Father,
with your Son to send the Holy Spirit upon the water 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.
All: Amen.
During the Easter
season, if there is baptismal water, which was consecrated at the Easter
Vigil, the blessing and invocation of God over the water are nevertheless
included, so that this theme of thanksgiving and petition may find a place
in the baptism. The form of this blessing and invocation is found below.
RENUNCIATION OF SIN
AND PROFESSION OF FAITH
The celebrant speaks
to the parents and godparents in these words:
Dear parents and
godparents: You have come here to present this child for baptism. By water
and the Holy Spirit he (she) is to receive the gift of new life from God,
who is love.
On your part, you must
make it your constant care to bring him (her) up in the practice of the
faith. See that the divine life that God gives him (her) is kept safe from
the poison of sin, to grow always stronger in his (her) heart.
If your faith makes
you ready to accept this responsibility, renew now the vows of your own
baptism. Reject sin; profess your faith in Christ Jesus. This is the faith
of the Church. This is the faith in which this child is about to be
baptized.
The celebrant
questions the parents and godparents.
Celebrant: Do you reject Satan?
Parents and
godparents: I do.
Celebrant: And all his works?
Parents and
godparents:
I do.
Celebrant: And all his
empty promises?
Parents and
godparents:
I do.
or:
Celebrant: Do you
reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God’s children?
Parents and
godparents: I do.
Celebrant: Do you
reject the glamour of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin?
Parents and
godparents: I do.
Celebrant: Do you
reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness?
Parents and
godparents: I do.
Next the celebrant
asks for the threefold profession of faith from the parents and
godparents:
Celebrant: Do you
believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
Parents and
godparents: I do.
Celebrant: Do you
believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the
Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and
is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Parents and
godparents: I do.
Celebrant: Do you
believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of
saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life
everlasting?
Parents and
godparents: I do.
The celebrant and the
congregation give their assent to this profession of faith:
Celebrant: This is our
faith. This is the faith of the Church.
We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All: Amen.
BAPTISM
The celebrant invites
the family to the font and questions the parents and godparents:
Celebrant: Is it your
will that N. should be baptized in the faith of the Church, which we have
all professed with you?
Parents and
godparents: It is.
He baptizes the child,
saying:
N., I baptize you in
the name of the Father,
He immerses the child
or pours water upon it. and of the Son,
He immerses the child
or pours water upon it a second time. and of the Holy Spirit.
He immerses the child
or pours water upon it a third time. After the child is baptized, it is
appropriate for the people to sing a short acclamation:
This is the fountain
of life, water made holy by the suffering of Christ, washing all the
world.
You who are washed in
this water have hope of heaven’s kingdom.
ANOINTING WITH CHRISM
Then the celebrant
says:
God the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given you a new birth by water
and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into his holy people. He now anoints
you with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet,
and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing
everlasting life.
All: Amen.
Then the celebrant
anoints the child on the crown of the head with the sacred chrism, in
silence.
CLOTHING WITH THE
WHITE GARMENT
The celebrant says:
N., 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.
All: Amen.
The white garment is
put on the child. A different color is not permitted unless demanded by
local custom. It is desirable that the family provide the garment.
LIGHTED CANDLE
The celebrant takes
the Easter candle and says:
Receive the light of
Christ.
Someone from the
family (such as the father or godfather) lights the child’s candle from
the Easter candle.
The celebrant then
says:
Parents and
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.
EPHPHETHA OR PRAYER
OVER EARS AND MOUTH
The rite of Ephphetha
may be performed at the discretion of the celebrant. He touches the ears
and mouth of the child with his thumb, saying:
The Lord Jesus made
the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive
his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of
God the Father.
All: Amen.
CONCLUSION OF THE RITE
Next there is a
procession to the altar, unless the baptism was performed in the
sanctuary. The lighted candle is carried for the child.
A baptismal song is
appropriate at this time, e.g.:
You have put on
Christ, in him you have been baptized. Alleluia, alleluia.
LORD’S PRAYER
The celebrant stands
in front of the altar and addresses the parents, godparents, and the
whole assembly in these or similar words:
Dearly beloved, this
child has been reborn in baptism. He (she) is now called the 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. In the name of this child, in the Spirit of our common
son-ship, let us pray together in the words our Lord has given us:
All present join the
celebrant in singing or saying:
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.
BLESSING
The celebrant first
blesses the mother, who holds the child in her arms, then the father, and
lastly the entire assembly:
Celebrant: 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 mother of this child. She now thanks God for
the gift of her child. May she be one with him (her) in thanking him
forever in heaven, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All: Amen.
Celebrant: God is the
giver of all life, human and divine. May he bless the father of this
child. He and his wife will be the first teachers of their child in the
ways of faith. May they be also the best of teachers, bearing witness to
the faith by what they say and do, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All: Amen.
Celebrant: By God’s gift, through water and the Holy Spirit, we are reborn to everlasting life. In his goodness, may he continue to pour out his blessings upon these sons and daughters of his. May he make them always, wherever they may be, faithful members of his holy people. May he send his peace upon all who are gathered here, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All: Amen.
Celebrant: May
almighty God, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit, bless you.
All: Amen.
Where there is the
practice of bringing the baptized child to the altar of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, this custom may be observed.
ALTERNATE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING
A reading from the
book of the prophet Ezekiel 36:24-28
I will pour out on you
clean water and you will be cleansed from all your sins.
Thus says the Lord
God: "I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from
all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land. I will
sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and
from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and
place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts
and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make
you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in
the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your
God."
This is the Word of
the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING
A reading from the
letter of Paul to the Romans 6:3-5
When we were baptized
we joined Jesus in death so that we might walk in the newness of his life.
Are you not aware that
we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Through baptism into his death we were buried with him, so that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might
live a new life. If we have been united with him through likeness to his
death, so shall we be through a like resurrection.
This is the Word of
the Lord.
A reading from the
letter of Paul to the Galatians 3:26-28
All baptized in Christ
have put on Christ.
Each one of you is a son of God because of your faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with him. There does not exist among you Jew or Greek, slave or freeman, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus.
This is the Word of
the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Ps. 27:1, 4, 8-9, 13-14
1)
R. The Lord is my
light and my salvation.
V. The Lord.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?
V. The Lord.
R. The Lord is my
life’s refuge; of whom should
I be afraid?
V. The Lord.
R. The Lord is my
light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the
Lord; this I seek:
To dwell in the house
of the Lord all the days of my life, That I may gaze on the loveliness of
the Lord and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my
light and my salvation.
Your presence, O Lord,
I seek.
Hide not your face
from me; do not in anger repel your servant. You are my helper: cast me
not off.
R. The Lord is my
light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall
see the bounty of the Lord in
the land of the living. Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted,
and wait for the Lord.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
2)
R. Come to him and
receive his light!
V. Come to him.
I will bless the Lord
at all times; his praise shall
be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me
and be glad.
R. Come to him and receive his light!
V. Come to him.
Look to him that you
may be radiant with joy, and
your faces may not blush with shame. When the afflicted man called out,
the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him.
R. Come to him and receive his light!
V. Come to him.
The angel of the Lord
encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Taste and see how
good the Lord is; happy the man who takes refuge in him.
R. Come to him and receive his light!
V. Come to him.
Keep your tongue from
evil and your lips from speaking guile; Turn from evil, and do good; seek
peace, and follow after it.
R. Come to him and receive his light!
V. Come to him.
The Lord has eyes for
the just, and ears for their cry. The Lord confronts the evildoers, to
destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. Come to him and receive his light!
V. Come to him.
When the just cry out,
the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. The Lord
is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he
saves.
R. Come to him and receive his light!
V. Come to him.
ALLELUIA VERSE AND VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
OUTSIDE OF LENT:
1)
John 3:16
V. Alleluia
R. Alleluia
V. God loved the world
so much, he gave us his only Son, that all who believe in him might have
eternal life. R. Alleluia.
2)
John 8:12
V. Alleluia
R. Alleluia
V. I am the light of the world, says the Lord; the man who follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia.
3) John 14:6
V. Alleluia
R. Alleluia
V.. I am the way, the
truth, and the life, says the Lord; no
one comes to the Father, except through me.
R. Alleluia.
DURING LENT:
V. Alleluia
R. Alleluia
V. Praise to you, Lord
Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
R. Praise to you, Lord
Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
V. Alleluia
R. Alleluia
V. One Lord, one
faith, one baptism. One God, the Father of all.
R. Praise to you, Lord
Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
GOSPEL
1) +
A reading from the holy gospel according to Mark 1:9—1l
The baptism of Jesus
Jesus came from
Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. Immediately on
coming up out of the water he saw the sky rent in two and the Spirit
descending on him like a dove. Then a voice came from the heavens: “You
are my beloved Son. On you my favor rests.”
This is the gospel of
the Lord.
2) + A reading from the holy
gospel according to Mark 10:13-16
Jesus loves children
People were bringing their little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples were scolding them for this. Jesus became indignant when he noticed it and said to them: “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them. It is to just such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I assure you that whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a little child shall not enter into it.” Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
This is the gospel of the Lord.