1. The Rite of Baptism for a Child
The Paschal Mystery Course, Unit 3
(Notes: The notes for these slides duplicate the lecture notes in The Paschal Mystery: Christ’s Mission of Salvation teacher guide for step 4 of unit 3. The slides quote the The Rite of Baptism for One Child and for Several Children (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2003.)
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2. “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (John 3:5).
(Notes: The Rite of Baptism is rooted not only in the Baptism of Jesus but also in his teaching.)

3. The Sacraments of Christian Initiation
Baptism
Holy Communion
Confirmation
(Notes: Baptism is one of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation and may be the first step on our journey of faith and as followers of Jesus. [Click on the first bullet.] What are the other Sacraments of Christian Initiation? [Click on the second and third bullet points to show the three correct answers.])

4. A Communal Celebration
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5. Parents Celebrant: What name do you give your child? Parents: Olivia.
Celebrant: What do you ask of God’s Church for Olivia?
Parents: Baptism.
(Notes: Parents play an extremely significant role in the Baptism of their children. What are some reasons that Olivia’s parents might have for presenting her for Baptism?)
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6. Celebrant: You have asked to have your child baptized
Celebrant: You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training her in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring her up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor.
(Notes: The parents not only take it upon themselves to prepare for their child’s Baptism through study of the Sacrament in preparatory classes, but they must also fully understand and be committed to this sacred responsibility. What are some of the ways you would expect Olivia’s parents to fulfill this responsibility as she grows up?)

7. (Notes: In the Rite of Baptism, the parents publicly ask that their child be baptized; they promise to raise the child in the faith. They mark their child with the Sign of the Cross; make a public profession of faith.)
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8. Godparents
Celebrant: Are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian parents?
Godparents: We are.
Celebrant: Olivia, the Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name I claim you for Christ our Savior by the sign of his cross. I now trace the cross on your forehead, and invite your parents (and godparents) to do the same.
(Notes: Godparents help and assist the parents in raising the child, serving as mentors in life and faith. They speak on behalf of the child in making the profession of faith, promise to help raise and support the child in the practice of the faith, and encourage the child as she or he comes to form an intimate relationship with God in order to proclaim the Good News of God’s Reign in both words and actions. If you were Olivia’s godparent, what are some things you could do to support her, and her parents, in guiding her toward a close relationship with God?)

9. The Assembly
(Notes: Next there is a Gospel reading, and all present will pray for Olivia. If you were a member of Olivia’s parish, would you find it meaningful to be asked to pray for her? Why or why not?)
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10. Symbols
Holy Oils
Celebrant: We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Savior; may he strengthen you with his power, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
(Notes: The oil of catechumens is used to anoint the individual as a sign and reminder of God’s salvation and also to strengthen the individual to constantly live and proclaim the Good News of God’s Reign in word and deed. After the child is baptized, another anointing, with Chrism, will take place. Why does anointing bring to mind the concept of salvation? [The students may recall that Christ means “the anointed” and that in the Old Testament, priests, prophets, and kings were all anointed to signify the presence of God’s Spirit.])

11. Symbols
Water
Celebrant: At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness.
(Notes: When we are baptized, we are baptized with water, which is a sign of cleansing and purity, but also of rebirth and renewal. In the Rite of Baptism, then, the individual is reborn into the family of God. The Rite of Baptism goes on to state that water reminds us of God’s saving action throughout history, including the birth of creation and the Great Flood in the time of Noah.)

12. Celebrant: Through the waters of the Red Sea you led Israel out of slavery, to be an image of God’s holy people, set free from sin by Baptism.
(Notes: Water reminds us of the parting of the Red Sea and the Exodus of God’s People out of enslavement in Egypt. What do you think it means to say that Baptism sets us free?)

13. Celebrant: In the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Spirit. Your Son willed that water and blood should flow from his side as he hung upon the cross.
(Notes: The words of the rite also remind us about the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, and the flowing of water and blood from Jesus’ side at his Crucifixion.)

14. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
(Notes: After quoting Christ’s instruction to his followers, the celebrant blesses the water of the baptismal font. Next the parents and godparents, and often the entire assembly, profess their faith. Why do those present profess their faith before receiving someone new into the community?)
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15. Celebrant: Olivia, I baptize you in the name of the Father
 He immerses the child or pours water upon it.
Celebrant: and of the Son
 He immerses the child or pours water upon it a second time.
Celebrant: and of the Holy Spirit.
 He immerses the child or pours water upon it a third time.
(Notes: While the blessed water is poured over the individual’s head, the celebrant baptizes the individual using the Trinitarian formula.)

16. Celebrant: God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into his holy people.
(Notes: The celebrant mentions three results, or purposes, of Baptism. Which of these three do you most strongly associate with Baptism? What will that result mean for Olivia as she grows up?)

17. Symbols The White Garment
Celebrant: Olivia, you have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven.
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(Notes: A white garment is placed on the individual after he or she has been baptized. The white garment is an outward sign of Christian dignity and purity, renewal, and clothing oneself in Christ.)

18. Symbols
The Candle
Celebrant: This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. She is to walk always as a child of the light. May she keep the flame of faith alive in her heart.
(Notes: Using the Easter, or Paschal, candle, a parent or godparent lights another candle. The lighted candle represents the light of Christ we promise to share with the entire world through our words and actions. As Olivia grows up, what are some ways she may share the light of Christ with others? [Look for answers that include both explicitly sharing the Gospel and living the Gospel by her actions.])

19. The Rite of Ephphetha
Celebrant: The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith.
(Notes: The celebrant touches the ears and mouth of the child as he speaks these words. How is this symbol similar to the symbol of the lighted candle? [The students may explain that both symbols relate to receiving and sharing the Gospel.])

20. One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins
(Notes: It is important to know that an individual can be baptized only once. The Sacrament of Baptism is recognized by all Christians. Therefore if someone is baptized in another Christian denomination and chooses to convert to Catholicism, he or she cannot be baptized a second time.)
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21. (Notes: Baptism is a public declaration of faith made by the parents, the godparents, the godparents on behalf of the child, the community assembled, and the Church. Through this public declaration, the child has an inherent right to the love and support of the community. If the community is responsible for supporting the newly baptized, then each community member is really responsible for every other member. What could this love and support look like?)
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