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Nicole Redman wrote:

Hi, guys —

  • What questions are typically asked at a Baptism held during Mass?

Thank you,

Nicole

  { What questions are typically asked at a Baptism held during Mass? }

Eric replied:

Hi, Nicole —

I don't think anyone got back to you on this; sorry for the delay. It took me a fair amount of research to find the rite (and to make sure I had everything), but I think I found it.

Here is an outline of a Baptism:

  • Reception of the Child
  • Celebration of God's Word
    • Scriptural Readings and Homily
    • Intercessions (Prayer of the Faithful)
    • Prayer of Exorcism and Anointing Before Baptism
  • Celebration of the Sacrament
    • Blessing and Invocation of God over Baptismal Water
    • Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith
    • Baptism
    • Anointing After Baptism
    • Clothing with the White Garment
    • The Lighted Candle
    • Ephphetha ("Be Opened", see Mark 7:34)
  • Conclusion of the Rite
    • The Lord's Prayer
    • Blessing and Dismissal

The questions are asked in the following portions:

  1. Reception of the Child
  2. Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith, and
  3. the Baptism

Reception of the Child

  • What name do you give your child?

      Reply: [Name]

  • What do you ask of God's Church for [Name]?

      Reply: [Baptism]

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?

      Reply: [We do.]

  • [Asked of the godparents] Are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian parents?

      Reply: [We are.]

Celebrant: [Name], the Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name, I claim you for Christ our Saviour by the sign of the 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.


Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith

  • Do you reject Satan?

      Reply: [I do.]

  • And all his works?

      Reply: [I do.]

  • And all his empty promises?

      Reply: [I do.]

  • Do you believe in the God the Father, almighty, creator of heaven and earth?

      Reply: [I do.]

  • 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?

      Reply: [I do.]

  • 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?

      Reply: [I do.]

  • Is it your will that [Name] be baptized in the faith of the Church, which we have all professed with you?

      Reply: [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 [Name] be baptized in the faith of the Church, which we have all professed with you? 

    Parents Reply: [It is.]

He baptizes the child, saying:

Celebrant: [Name], I baptize you In The Name of The Father

He immerses the child or pours water upon it.

Celebrant: and of The Son

He immerses the child or pours water upon it a second time.

Celebrant: 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.

Eric

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