BAPTISM - INTRODUCTION
“Through the Sacraments of Christian Initiation men and women are freed from the power of darkness. With Christ they die, are buried, and rise again. They receive the Spirit of adoption which makes them God’s sons and daughters and, with the entire people of God, they celebrate the memorial of the Lord’s death and resurrection.
Thus, the three Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) closely combine to bring the faithful to the full stature of Christ and to enable them to carry out the mission of the entire people of God in the Church and in the world.”
- Rite of Christian Initiation, General Introduction, ¶ 1 & 2
In these words, the Second Vatican Council re-emphasized the threefold process of Christian Initiation and called upon the Church to revise its ritual celebration of entry into the Church. Beginning with Baptism the Church has therefore published several revised rites: the Rite of Baptism for Children (1969), the Rite of Confirmation (1971), and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (1988).
Throughout the introductions and rites themselves, a new – or rather a renewed – focus of the sacraments emerges: the Christian life is a continuing process in which the gift of faith can grow to maturity. The liturgical celebrations of Christian Initiation are the ritual moments when people celebrate their acceptance of the faith within the Christian community.
The experience of the faith as lived in the community (e.g. the parish, the family) becomes the context within which infant baptism takes place. While the paradigm for the conversion process is growth into the Church, the baptism of infants necessitates growth after entry into the Church.
The faith that is given a child is a gift of God, but experienced through the parents and the community. As children begin the journey, they experience parents who pray, who witness to the Gospel, who celebrate, and who participate in apostolic activities that build up the Church. Infant baptism only makes sense if a community – especially through the parents – can expose the child to experiences where faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is obviously seen as important, alive, and meaningful.
While the parents have the primary responsibility for the growth of faith after entry into the Church, the sponsors and the community will be of significant importance in the child’s journey. The ministers must continue to provide an atmosphere and a setting in which the principles of process and growth can be realized by parents, sponsors, and community.
BAPTISM – CATECHESIS
There is great diversity in the Diocese of Madison: urban and rural parishes, very large and very small parishes, stable parishes and parishes with a significant population shift each year. The needs of such parishes are different, and no one catechetical program will work for every parish. There are basic elements to consider, however, in building a program suited to each situation.
Each program should be structured to include the following elements:
The goal of the catechetical program for parents wishing to Baptize their child is to help parents come to a greater understanding about the meaning of Baptism, the nature of faith, the meaning of the Church, and the role of a parent as primary catechist for their child throughout life. A strictly lecture-style presentation is not always the best way to achieve this goal of understanding and self-awareness. Participants will need time to interact, to raise questions, and to become involved personally in these important topics. Information alone is not sufficient; personal formation through personal reflection and recognition of one’s own faith is needed.
One of the basic meanings of Baptism is the initiation of the person into the community of believers. The entire church community should have an interest in these new members, and a consequent share in their preparation. The Rite of Christian Initiation states that it is most important that catechists and other lay people should work with priests and deacons in making preparations for Baptism. In the actual celebration, the people of God (represented not only by the parents, godparents, and relatives, but also, as far as possible, by friends, neighbors, and members of the local church) should take an active part” (¶ 7). Such social interaction can easily take place if care is taken to provide a relaxed and informal atmosphere: any semblance of a formal class should be avoided. Group sessions involving several parents give an opportunity to share faith and experiences with others with similar interests. Home visits give an opportunity for personal sharing of a more extended nature.
Baptismal preparation meetings should provide time and opportunity for meaningful prayer together. A theme related to Baptism could be used to construct a prayer service in which all can participate. Such prayer can help to build this group of people into a better faith community and will build toward the actual day when they celebrate Baptism together.
BAPTISM – POLICIES
1. Each parish should provide a pre-baptismal preparation program for parents of infants to be baptized.
A Baptismal preparation program offers a special opportunity for faith growth on a deep level. It is because of the faith of the parents that an infant is baptized. Therefore, it is vital that the parents’ faith be alive and growing. Parents should be conscious of the great responsibility that they are undertaking.
The faith life of the parents requirement is not something “added on” to the Baptismal ceremony. It flows from the very meaning of the Sacrament. The parents who present a child for Baptism are asked to declare publicly at the beginning of the ceremony their answer to the questions “What do you ask of God’s Church for your child?” and “Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?”
From a pastoral point of view, such preparation reaches people at an important time in their life. Within the culture of the United States, the Baptism of the first child often marks the beginning of a more active participation in Church life. It is often the occasion when a couple must examine their beliefs and practices again: they want the best for their child, but what does this mean religiously speaking? It is to fundamental questions such as these, more than mere familiarity with the ceremony, that baptismal preparation programs should address themselves.
2. A minimum of two sessions should be considered to form an adequate Baptismal preparation program.
Two sessions will give adequate time for catechesis on the Sacrament, interaction among the participants, prayer together, and the necessary practical details of planning a Baptismal ceremony. Some parishes may want to offer lengthier programs providing greater in-depth catechesis of the sacrament. It is also possible to have a single session, longer in time, incorporating all the components presented in the “Baptism – Catechesis” section above.
3. Parishes should offer the preparation program several times a year depending on the number of Baptisms.
The dates and times of the program should be well publicized far in advance of the program. Careful planning of a schedule for the program will insure that everyone has the opportunity to participate. Parents should be encouraged to participate in these sessions before the birth of the child. During these months, the parents are making many other preparations for the arrival of their baby and the religious preparation should be included.
4. Parishes must always keep in mind that parents have a right to have their child Baptized.
Baptism – Issues
Baptism at Mass
The ritual suggests that Baptism ideally takes place during Sunday Mass. This form of celebration emphasizes the close connection between Baptism and Eucharist: Baptism is the beginning of the initiation process leading to the table of the Lord. Having the Baptism at a Sunday Mass also seems to better emphasize the idea of the communal nature of the celebration, the importance of music, participation, etc.
In a smaller parish, with relatively few Baptisms per year, many Baptisms could be scheduled during regular Sunday Masses. All present may participate in the Baptismal ceremony, with the parents and godparents having a special part in the Eucharistic liturgy as well as the Baptismal liturgy. This method of Baptism within the regular Sunday Mass is preferable to a “private” celebration, taking place immediately before or after a parish Mass.
Properly celebrated, the addition of the Baptismal liturgy to the Sunday Eucharist need not demand a great amount of additional time: the Liturgy of the Word of the Mass is the Liturgy of the Word for the Baptism. The initial greeting and the final blessing take place at their usual times during the Mass. A lengthy homily is not needed on such occasions as a well-done celebration of Baptism has its own message.
In larger parishes, frequent celebrations during regular parish Masses may not always be possible or desirable. Even in these cases, however, Baptism could be celebrated, at least on occasion, during parish Masses.
Where Baptism during a regular parish Mass does not seem possible, consideration should be given to celebrating Baptism during a special Eucharist – perhaps on Sunday afternoon. There is no need to celebrate Baptism each week; therefore, once a month as such a special Mass, Baptism would be celebrated for all who are prepared.
Normally, there should be only one celebration of Baptism on the same day in the same church. The General Introduction of the Rite of Christian Initiation states: “As far as possible, all recently born babies should be baptized at a common celebration on the same day. Except for a good reason, Baptism should not be celebrated more than once on the same day in the same church” (¶ 27).