BAPTISM CURRENT RITUAL STRUCTURE Jessica Arnold 1 Welcoming

BAPTISM: CURRENT RITUAL STRUCTURE Jessica Arnold

1. Welcoming The priest welcomes guests, parents and the godparents to the church before the ceremony begins. The sign of the cross is made on the child's forehead by the priest, parents and godparents at the beginning of the ceremony. The sign of the cross on the forehand represents the invisible marking that says they belong to Jesus (Catholic Enquiry Centre, 2007).

2. Scriptures and Homily Every Liturgy is based around the word of God in the scriptures. The priest reads a scripture and homily followed by prayers of the faithful (Catholic Enquiry Centre, 2007).

3. Baptism Promisers The family will gather around the baptismal font which is a large bowl, usually made of stone, marble or glass which holds the water used for baptism. The parents make the baptismal promises on behalf of their child. These promises are based on the Apostles Creed. The Baptism promises consists of the following questions asked by the priest: Do you reject Satan, and all his works? Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? 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? 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? (The Catholic Liturgical Library 2014).

Baptism with water The priest pours water over the baby's head and says the following: “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (St Conleth's Parish 2012). The water symbolises the washing away and cleansing from all the sins. The water also signifies the sign of life as without water nothing will be able to grow.

Anointing with oil The priest uses two oils to anoint the baby. The priest anoints the baby on the chest with the Oil of Baptism. After baptism, he then anoints the baby’s forehead with the Oil of Chrism. The oil of Chrism is associated with the days when athletes used to rub oil into their bodies before events to strengthen them and make their skin more supple, and symbolises strengthening for the challenges of life ahead. The Oil of Chrism is a combination of olive oil and balsam, and symbolises the sealing with the Holy Spirit (Catholic Inquiry Centre 2007).

White Garment The child is clothed in a white garment which is a symbol of purity and innocence (Delaney 2005). .

Candle A candle will be lit as a sign of this new life. It is usually lit from the Easter Candle which symbolises the light of Christ, and will be held by a parent or godparent (Delaney 2005).

Baptismal Certificates At the end of the ceremony the parents are given a Baptismal Certificate which they will keep as a record of their child’s initiation into the Church and present at future sacraments.