CELEBRATING BAPTISM Welcome into the Christian Family · Baptism of many children 1 CELEBRATING BAPTISM Welcome into the Christian Family Dear Parents, We, the Catholic Community

Baptism of many children 1

CELEBRATING BAPTISM Welcome into the Christian Family

Dear Parents, We, the Catholic Community of the parish of St. Philip the Apostle, Mountview and

Blakestown, are happy to welcome your child into the Christian Family. Today is a

wonderful day for the parents and family of the children and you are invited to accept

responsibility for handing on the Christian way of life to your child.

While Baptism is the beginning of new life in Christ for your child, it is our prayer that

this life will grow and flourish in the years ahead. Moreover the seed of faith sown today needs to be cultivated in order to grow. This will require your love, your care and

your example. The way you live, the way you love, your religious attitudes and

practice, your faith and your prayer-life will all contribute to your child’s formation. Through your witness, your child will experience what it means to be a Christian – a

member of the Body of Christ, the Church.

Today your child begins a life-long journey of faith and love. Later, through reception

of the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation, your child will become a full

member of the Church, living a Christ-like and witnessing to Him in the world. As

parents, you are both privileged and graced with new responsibilities to nourish that Christ-life in your child. We will support you in this whatever way we can.

Welcome Celebrant: In the name of the Father and of the Son…

All: Amen.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you. All: And with your spirit.

Naming, Commitment and Accepting Responsibility

What do you ask for your child today?

Celebrant: God has called each one of us by name - he knows us before we are born. What name have you given to your child?

Parents: We have called our child ________________

Celebrant: As you come today to your Parish Church of ----------------------what

do you ask for your child?

Parents: Baptism

Celebrant: You have asked for Baptism. In doing so, you are accepting the responsibility of training your child in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to

bring your child up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God

and our neighbour. Will you show your child how to love God and how to pray at home?


Parents: We will

Celebrant: Godparents, are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian parents?

Godparents: We are.

Celebrant: Do all of you here, family and friends; promise to offer these parents and

their children the support of a community which is inspired by the love of Jesus?

All: We promise

Celebrant: The Christian Community welcomes these children with great joy. I now trace the Sign of the Cross on their forehead as a sign that these children belong to

God. Sign of the Cross is a sign that the child is admitted to the community and is a

sealing of the faith that has been expressed by the parents, godparents and friends.

Celebration of God’s Word

First Reading (Rom 6, 3-5)

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into

death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so

we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with

him in a resurrection like his.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God

Responsorial Psalm

Response: The Lord is my light and my help

1. The Lord is my light and my help;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink? R/


2. There is one thing I ask of the Lord,

for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life,

to savour the sweetness of the Lord,

to behold his temple. R/

3. It is your face, O Lord, that I seek;

hide not your face. Dismiss not your

servant in anger; you have been my help. R/

4. I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in

the land of the living. Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord. R/

Gospel Acclamation:

Alleluia, Alleluia! // "Glory and Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ"

Before you were formed in your mother’s womb I knew you. I have called your name -

you are mine. Alleluia!

Celebrant:

The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Celebrant:

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to _______________

All: Glory to you, Lord.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mathew (Mt. 28:18-20)

Jesus came up and spoke to his disciples. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on

earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptize

them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes to

the end of time.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Prayers of the Faithful

Celebrant: Lord, the parents here today have requested Baptism, so we pray for them

and all families.

1. We pray Lord for all the children who will be baptised here today. May they

have home that is secure and safe, and parents who will love and cherish them. Lord

hear us. All: Lord, graciously hear us.


2. As these children grow up, Lord, may they have parents who will teach them how to pray and how to love you and their neighbour. Lord hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

3. By the mystery of your death and resurrection, bathe these children in light; give

them the new life of baptism and welcome them into your holy Church. Lord hear us.


3. Through baptism and, later on confirmation, make them your faithful followers and

witnesses to your gospel. Lord, hear us.


4. This day, Lord, we pray for all grandparents and Godparents - and we ask your

blessing on each of them as they hand on their faith to these children. Lord, hear us. All: Lord, graciously hear us.

5. May all people who have been baptised give witness to you by the way they live and work each day. Lord, hear us.


6. For our celebrant on this Baptism day, and for our Parish Baptism team, that they may feel close to you in all they do. Lord, hear us.


Holy Mary, Mother of God

All: Pray for us.

Saint Joseph, All: Pray for us.

Saint John the Baptist,

All: Pray for us. Sts. Peter & Paul,

All: Pray for us.

St. Patrick,

All: Pray for us. St. Bridget,

All: Pray for us.

All you saints of God, All: Pray for us.

Time now for quiet prayer or other prayers of the faithful.

Prayer and Anointing

In our first anointing we ask God to help and protect these children who are baptised

to-day. We use the Oil of Catechumens - the oil which gives strength.

Prayer and anointing

Almighty and ever-living God, you sent Your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue people from the kingdom of darkness, and

bring them into the splendour of your kingdom of light and peace. We pray for these

children:


Set them free from original sin, make them a temple of your glory, and send your Holy

Spirit to dwell in them, through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

All kids are now anointed on the breast with the Oil of Catechumens

Celebrant: ___________________ I anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our

Saviour. May he strengthen you with his power, who lives and reigns forever and

ever.

All: Amen

Blessing of Water for Baptism

Celebrant: The water of Baptism gives new life. God blesses this water to give His Divine Life to those who believe in Him.

We ask God to give these children new life through water and the Holy Spirit.

Father, through the waters of Baptism you have filled us with a new life as your

children.

All: Blessed be God forever

Celebrant:

You bring eternal life to these children, through this cleansing water and new birth. Bless this water in which they will be baptised. Make holy this water which you have

created so that all those whom you have chosen may be born again by the power of the

Holy Spirit and may take their palace among your holy people. We ask this in the name of Christ our Lord. We ask this in the name of Christ our Lord.

All: Amen

Profession of Faith

Parents here today have requested Baptism for these children and promise to pass on their faith through prayer and example. By water and the Holy Spirit, they will receive

the gift of new life from God who is love. It will be your constant care to bring your

child up in the practice of the faith. As you accept this responsibility we ask you to renew your own Christian

commitment.

Celebrant:

Do you renounce Satan?

All: I do.

Celebrant: And all his works?


All: I do.

Celebrant: And all his empty show?

All: I do.

Celebrant: Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth? All: I do.

Celebrant: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of

the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose again from the dead and is

seated at the right hand of the Father? All: I do.

Celebrant: 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?

All: I do.

Celebrant: This is our faith. This is the faith of the church. We are proud to profess it,

in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Celebrant:

We ask you, Lord, to bless all the efforts of these parents as they bring up their child.

May they be the best of teachers by the way they live and act. We ask this through

Christ our Lord. All: Amen

Baptism- the Water of New life

Celebrant: Is it your wish that your child be baptised and your wish to bring him/her up in the

faith you have professed?

Parents: It is

Celebrant: ----------------- I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and

the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Anointing with Chrism

These children are now anointed with the Oil of Chrism. This second anointing is a sign of a special calling through the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was anointed at his baptism and given a special calling to bring about the Kingdom of God. Every Christian shares this calling- to build up the Kingdom of Love, Justice and Peace in our world. 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.


He now anoints you with the Chrism of Salvation. As Jesus was anointed Priest,

Prophet and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting

life.

All: Amen

The Christening Robe A sign of a new way of living. The first Christians wore it for a full week after baptism as a sign they had taken a new way of life.

Celebrant: These children have become a new creation and are now clothed in Christ.

We see in this white Christening Garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, we pray that you will

bring that dignity into the everlasting life of Heaven. We make our prayer through

Christ our Lord. All: Amen

Parents: God our Father, with joy we welcome our child into our family. With joy we

take our child to our hearts. Send us the help of your Spirit so that in raising our child

we will always know what to do and have the strength to do it. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Baptismal Candle

The Baptismal Candle is lit from the Easter Candle. The Easter Candle is a symbol of Jesus Christ as the light of the world. The light and love of Jesus are passed on to a new Christian through the faith of their parents.

Celebrant: Parents and Godparents, receive the Light of Christ.

This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. These children have been

enlightened by Christ. May they walk always as a child of light. May the flame of faith

remain always in their hearts. All: Amen

Touch

The celebrant touches the ears and mouth of the child, a sign that Christ is offering

Himself to your child.

Celebrant: The Lord Jesus, make the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon

touch your ears to receive his word and your mouth to proclaim his Faith, to the

praise and glory of God the Father. Amen.

We Pray with the Newly Baptised. Celebrant:

These children have been christened and are now called children of God. It is the

beginning of the journey of faith. In Confirmation they will receive the fullness of God’s Spirit. In Holy Communion they will share the banquet of Christ’s sacrifice, call


God their Father in the midst of the Church. May God give us the grace to continue

our journey of faith with courage and strength!

We pray together as God’s family. All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive

us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into

temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Blessings

Blessing of Parents: Celebrant: May God, the source of life and love, bless the parents of these newly

Baptised children. As you now thank God for the gift of your child, may you be the

best of teachers giving witness to your faith by what you say and do. All: Amen

Blessing of Godparents Celebrant: I bless the godparents here today who represent the believing community

to which these children now belongs. May their friendship and prayers be a loving

support to them throughout their lives.

All: Amen

Blessing of child and all present

Celebrant: By God's gift, through water and the Holy Spirit, we are reborn to everlasting life. In his goodness, may he continue to pour out his blessings upon all

the sons and daughters of his. May he make them always, wherever they may be,

faithful members of his holy people. May he send his peace upon all who are gathered here, in Christ Jesus our Lord. .

All: Amen

Blessing for All

Celebrant: May almighty God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless us all and bring us abundant peace.

All: Amen

Celebrant: Our celebration of the Christian rite of christening is over. Let us go out to

glorify the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.


CELEBRATING BAPTISM

St. Mary of the Servants, Blakestown

SUGGESTED SCRIPURE READINGS, PSALMS

AND

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

(Please choose ONE Reading, ONE Psalm, and One or Two People to read the Prayers

of The Faithful.)

Readings


(1) A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans (6:3-5)

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into

death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so

we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united

with him in a resurrection like his.

The Word of the Lord.

(2) A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans (8:28-32)

We know that by turning everything to their good God co-operates with all those who

love him, with all those that he has called according to his purpose. They are the ones

he chose specially long ago and intended to become true images of his Son, so that his

Son might be the eldest of many brothers. He called those he intended for this; those

he called be justified, and with those he justified he shared his glory. After saying this,

what can we add? With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not

spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a

gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give.

The word of the Lord.

===============================================

Responsorial Psalms

I. Psalms

The Response is: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

1. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.


Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.

Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. /R

2. He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name.

If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil should I fear.

You are there with your crook and staff;

with these you give me comfort. /R

3. You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.

My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. /R

4. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the day of my life.

In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever. /R

II. Psalm

The Response is: The Lord is my light and my help.

1. The Lord is my light and my help;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

before whom shall I shrink? /R

2. There is one thing I ask of the Lord,

for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord,

all the days of my life,

to savour the sweetness of the Lord,

to behold his temple. /R

3. It is your face, O Lord, that I seek;

hide not your face.

Dismiss not your servant in anger;

you have been my help. /R


4. I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.

Hope in Him, hold firm and take heart.

Hope in the Lord! /R

===============================================

Prayers of the Faithful

Celebrant: Lord, the parents here today have requested Baptism, so we pray for them

and all families.

1. We pray Lord for all the children who will be baptised here today. May they

have home that is secure and safe, and parents who will love and cherish them. Lord

hear us. All: Lord, graciously hear us.

2. As these children grow up, Lord, may they have parents who will teach them how to pray and how to love you and their neighbour. Lord hear us.


3. By the mystery of your death and resurrection, bathe these children in light; give

them the new life of baptism and welcome them into your holy Church. Lord hear us.


3. Through baptism and, later on confirmation, make them your faithful followers and

witnesses to your gospel. Lord, hear us.


4. This day, Lord, we pray for all grandparents and Godparents - and we ask your

blessing on each of them as they hand on their faith to these children. Lord, hear us. All: Lord, graciously hear us.

5. May all people who have been baptised give witness to you by the way they live and work each day. Lord, hear us.


6. For our celebrant on this Baptism day, and for our Parish Baptism team, that they may feel close to you in all they do. Lord, hear us.


Holy Mary, Mother of God

All: Pray for us.

Saint Joseph,

All: Pray for us.

Saint John the Baptist,

All: Pray for us. Sts. Peter & Paul,


All: Pray for us.

St. Patrick, All: Pray for us.

St. Bridget,

All: Pray for us.

All you saints of God, All: Pray for us.

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CELEBRATING BAPTISM Welcome into the Christian Family · Baptism of many children 1 CELEBRATING BAPTISM Welcome into the Christian Family Dear Parents, We, the Catholic Community