The Liturgy of Baptism

Presentation of the Candidates

The priest says to the parents and godparents

Priest    Parents and godparents, the Church receives these children with joy. Today we are trusting God for their growth in faith.  Will you pray for them, draw them by your example into the community of faith and walk with them in the way of Christ?

R          With the help of God, we will.

Priest    In baptism these children begin their journey in faith.  You speak for them today. Will you care for them, and help them to take their place within the life and worship of Christ’s Church?

R          With the help of God, we will.

The Decision

The Pascal candle is lit. The president addresses the candidates directly, or through their parents, godparents and sponsors

Priest    In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.  Therefore I ask: Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?

R          I reject them.

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?

R          I renounce them.

Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?

R          I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?

R          I turn to Christ.

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?

R          I submit to Christ.

Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?

R          I come to Christ.

Signing with the Cross

The priest makes the sign of the cross on the forehead saying

Priest    Christ claims you for his own.

Receive the sign of his cross.

Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.

All        Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ

against sin, the world and the devil,

and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.

Priest    May almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness, restore in you the image of his glory, and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ.  Amen.

Prayer over the Water

Praise God who made heaven and earth,

All        who keeps his promise for ever.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All        It is right to give thanks and praise.

            At the end of the prayer, all say boldly

All        Amen.

Profession of Faith

            You must now declare before God and his Church the Christian faith into which you are to be baptized and in which you will live and grow.

Priest    Do you believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world?   

R          I believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed mankind?              

R          I believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God?  

R          I believe and trust in him.

            This is the faith of the Church.

All               This is our faith.

            We believe and trust in one God,

            Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Baptism

The priest pours water on the candidates saying

I baptize you

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The priest says

May God, who has received you by baptism into his Church, pour upon you the riches of his grace, that within the company of Christ’s pilgrim people you may daily be renewed by his anointing Spirit, and come to the inheritance of the saints in glory.

All        Amen.

The Welcome

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism: by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body.

All        We welcome you into the fellowship of faith;

we are children of the same heavenly Father;

Giving of a Lighted Candle

God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness

and has given us a place with the saints in light.

You have received the light of Christ;

walk in this light all the days of your life.

All        Shine as a light in the world

to the glory of God the Father.