Catholic baptism: procedure and ceremonies

Baptism brings your child into the Christian community. The baptismal service is the central point in both the Catholic and the Protestant Church. The procedures of the ceremony within the two denominations are therefore similar, but differ in a few central points. Here you can get an overview of the stations during the Catholic baptism. You can find out more about the course of the Protestant baptismal service in another article.

Every service is different

Catholic baptism usually has a fixed process and is based on the so-called liturgy, i.e. a specific order that is subject to all religious ceremonies. Apart from these fixed characteristics, however, individual services can differ greatly from one another. The exact design can depend, for example, on whether the baptism takes place as part of the Sunday church service or whether there is a special date for the baptism alone. Whether one or more children are baptized can also influence the exact procedure. Ultimately, your own suggestions and ideas for the design of the baptism ceremony and the personal implementation by the clergyman are of great importance.

However, the following points are commonly found in every Catholic baptismal ceremony:

Catholic Baptism: Opening and Invocation

This phase serves to open the service and to get in contact with God and the other parishioners.

• Greeting at the church door: At the beginning of the service, the family of the person to be baptized is greeted at the church door before they enter. This gesture is intended to show that the person being baptized is welcome as a future member of the congregation and that one can hardly wait to welcome them into the Christian community.
• Discussion with parents and godparents: At this moment, the parents and godparents of the person to be baptized should again consciously and clearly explain to the clergyman why the child should be baptized and that they are aware of their responsibility towards the church and the child.
• Entry: The joint entry into the church, which is usually performed to organ music, is a symbol for entering the faith community and the first steps on the path of faith. The christening candle and christening gown are usually carried in front of the party.
• Liturgical greeting: After a silent opening prayer, which everyone says for themselves, and the free greeting by the clergyman, he speaks the liturgical greeting. It represents a dialogue between priest and community. The priest opens this with the formula “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”, to which the community answers with “Amen”. The minister continues, “The Lord be with you,” those present reply, “And with your spirit.”

This is the so-called baptismal command of Jesus to his disciples. The mutual wish for blessings between the clergy and the congregation expresses their bond with God and with each other and reminds them of their own baptism.

• First prayer: The content of the first prayer can vary. It is usually adapted to the occasion of the service. However, it also serves to express the hopes and fears of those present and to ask for God’s help in all life situations.
• First Hymn: The first hymn of the service marks the conclusion of the first phase of the baptismal service. It is intended to bring individuals together and create a sense of community. It is wise to choose a well-known song or one with a simple melody at this point to get you started and reach everyone equally.

Liturgy of the Word at Catholic Baptism

In the second main part of the service, the Word of God is proclaimed in different ways. The parishioners can also speak to God themselves.

• Extra-Biblical Reading: The Liturgy of the Word often begins with a non-Biblical reading . The text for this can come from a novel or a story, for example, but poems or certain legends are also often suitable for this part. In most cases, the text is read by the parents themselves or the godparents, who want to use it to express their personal wishes for the child to be baptized.
• Biblical reading: The biblical reading is in many cases performed by the clergyman. However, there is also the possibility that another member of the congregation, for example a relative or friend, will read the Bible text. If there are many children present at the service, the classic text can also be replaced with a modern translation or even a retelling to make the meaning more accessible. The “Children’s Gospel” from the Gospel of Mark is often quoted at this point.
• Sermon: The sermon is a presentation by the priest that combines statements from the Bible with modern issues. For example, the personal situation of those present and the special occasion, i.e. the baptism, can be discussed. The length and form of the sermon depends entirely on the priest and the current circumstances. For example, if there is a lot of turmoil in the church, he may spontaneously decide to shorten the sermon.
• Intercessions: Intercessions are usually read by several people in turn and are short requests for the baptized, their family or other loved ones. It is also common for other people in need to be included in these requests. The intercessions are usually addressed to God, but the saints, for example the namesake of the child, can also be symbolically invoked in advance so that they too hear the requests.
• Confession of faith: Since nobody should enter the church against their will, the parents confess their faith in God on behalf of their child. This confession underscores once again the conscious decision to be baptized.

Donation of the Sacrament at Catholic Baptism

Catholic baptism, like marriage or communion, is a Christian sacrament. In the third part of the service, this sacrament is administered to the person being baptized.

• Reading of the biblical command to baptize: In the Gospel of Matthew there is a passage in which Jesus instructs his disciples to go out and baptize people. Christian baptism relates directly to this call of Jesus. That is why it is read out again at this point, after the priest has already referred to it in the liturgical salutation at the beginning of the service. The child is to be baptized in the name of the triune God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The parents and godparents are given the task of bringing up the child in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
• Personal statement: At this point in the ceremony, the parents have another opportunity to personally explain to the whole congregation why the child should be baptized.
• Baptismal water consecration: Before the actual baptismal ceremony, the baptismal water is consecrated. Usually the priest speaks a few words of explanation. It is also possible for a member of the party to tell a story to further emphasize the symbolic importance of the water.
• Baptism: The act of baptism consists of pouring the previously consecrated water over the child’s head. A parent or godfather holds the child over the baptismal font. The minister formally asks for the name in which the child is to be baptized. Then he draws water from the basin and pours three times over the head of the person to be baptized, saying the following text: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”.
• Explanatory Rites: The five explanatory rites are symbolic acts intended to visually underline the meaning of baptism.

The anointing or blessing is meant to be a sign that the baptized will henceforth act according to God’s will.

The sign of the cross , which is drawn on the forehead of the person being baptized, represents the connection to God.

The christening gown symbolizes that the baptized child has put on the faith like a robe. The white color symbolizes innocence and purity, the excessive length is a sign of the greatness of God and faith in him.

The baptismal candle is the symbol for the light of God, which should accompany the baptized person from the beginning to the end of his life.

In the Effata rite , the clergyman touches the child’s mouth and ears, symbolizing the open dialogue with God and other people in which the baptized Christian should listen as well as advise.

Mission and Blessing in Catholic Baptism

The service concludes with blessings and prayers of thanks. First, the minister blesses the parents so that they can fulfill their responsibilities to the child and to God. Hopeful songs and prayers should bring the baptismal service to a positive conclusion. At the end of the ceremony is the final blessing for the whole congregation.

Exactly how each step is accomplished varies from baptism to baptism. Therefore, you should use the conversation with the priest before the baptism to discuss all points in detail so that you can consciously enjoy the ceremony and contribute to its shaping.