Page 22 - Water of Life Infant Baptism

Baptismal promises
Celebrant:
Do you reject Satan?
Parents/godparents: I do. And all his works?
I do.
And all his empty promises? I do.
Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
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?
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?
I do.
This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All: Amen.
Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light . 1 John 2:10
Celebration of baptism
Having greeted your child, listened to the Word of God, and prayerfully readied your child for baptism, the water is now made ready.
A blessing is prayed over the baptismal font, asking God to send the Holy Spirit so that this water will be a source of life for the one baptised.
The time of baptism is close at hand. The parents who are bringing their child for baptism, and the godparents, renew their promises to reject sin and to embrace the faith of the Church.
And now comes a truly great moment which will forever shape your child’s destiny: he/ she is brought to the water of life!
Over (or in) the baptismal font, water is poured over your child’s head while the celebrant says:
N., I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
The pouring of the water (accompanied by the words of baptism) is the essential element of the Rite. As powerful as it is, the action is brief. Three further symbols help to unpack the beauty and significance of the event:
• Your child is anointed with the oil of chrism, a sign of their dignity in Christ.
• Your child is clothed in a white garment.
• Your child receives the light of Christ as the baptism candle is lit from the Paschal (Easter) candle.
A further prayer and gesture follow: the celebrant touches your child’s ears and mouth. As he does so, he prays that the Lord Jesus may touch their ears to receive God’s Word and their mouth to proclaim faith in Christ, and so give praise to God.
May you be strengthened in your inner being with power through Christ’s Spirit. Ephesians 3:16
2020