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What happens at a baby’s baptism?

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The celebration of the Sacrament has four parts. If outside Mass they follow one after another, if in Mass they are integrated into the liturgy.

1. RECEPTION OF THE CHILD

The priest or deacon goes to the entrance of the church and questions the parents and godparents regarding the child’s name and their responsibilities. Finally celebrant, parents and godparents sign the child on the forehead.

2. CELEBRATION OF GOD’S WORD

Passages from Scripture are read, and the celebrant gives a short homily. Then the prayer of the faithful is said, after which the celebrant invokes the saints. Then there follow the Prayer of Exorcism and Anointing before Baptism. “Set him (her) free from original sin, make him (her) a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him (her).. We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Saviour; may he strengthen you with his power…”

3. CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT

At the font, the celebrant now blesses the water to be used, leading to the Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith. The celebrant then asks “Is it your will that N. should be baptised in the faith of the Church, which we have all professed with you?” He then baptises the child, saying: “N., I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”, as he immerses the child or pours the water over their head. The celebrant anoints the baby on the head with Chrism saying “As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.” The baby is now clothed with a white garment. “You have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity.” Someone then lights the child’s candle from the Easter candle, as the celebrant says: “This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly.” The rite of Ephphatha may follow where the celebrant prays ‘May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith…”

4. CONCLUSION OF THE RITE

Lastly all move to the altar, where the celebrant leads all in the Lord’s Prayer, followed by a blessing for mother, for father and for all present.

The Apple tree

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Many years ago I sang in the choir at St David’s Cathedral. It helped give me a love for music which has stayed with me. Among the Christmas delights we enjoyed was an old poem set to music by Elizabeth Poston. It’s called “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” – a strange title when you first hear it, but one which has lingered in my mind and grows as you reflect on the simple words. Catch it on Youtube, sung by, among others, the choir of King’s College Cambridge in 2009. Relax, reflect, enjoy…

The tree of life my soul hath seen, Laden with fruit and always green: The trees of nature fruitless be Compared with Christ the apple tree.

His beauty doth all things excel By faith I know, but ne’er can tell The glory which I now can see In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought And pleasure dearly I have bought: I missed of all; but now I see
‘Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I’m weary with my former toil, Here I will sit and rest awhile: Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

From “Divine Hymns or Spiritual Songs”, compiled by Joshua Smith 1784

In spite of our situation

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What is joy? How is it different from happiness? Happiness is what we feel when everything is going well and smooth. Happiness is more dependent on our outward situations – our health, fortune, work, etc. But joy is being at peace with whatever situation we may face, whether it is a happy or sad situation. It is that assurance that though everything does not always go right, life still makes sense. It is not dependent on outward circumstances, but rather on our own relationship with God. Another way we might put it is that we have happiness BECAUSE of our situation; we have joy IN SPITE OF our situation. A person suffering from a chronic illness may understandably not feel happy, but they can still remain joyful because of the love and care of those people around them or because of their faith and trust in God. The well-known theologian Teilhard de Chardin defined joy as the most profound manifestation of the presence of God.

Advent should be a period of spiritual reflection on how the birth of Christ has impacted on our own lives today. We may have been celebrating Advent for many years, but if the true spirit of Advent does not transform us to be better persons – does not make husbands love their wives all the more and vice versa, and does not make children value what their parents have sacrificed for them, and if it does not bring us forgiveness and healing to our hurts and pains or even consider forgiveness as an option to improve our relationships – then there is no point to rejoice this Sunday, because if it is still business as usual for us. The liturgical seasons can become nothing but empty cycles without any meaning.

When horrible things happen in our lives or when unexpected and unexplainable things happen without any reason like sudden death, illness or tragic accidents, people can understandably question where God’s love fits in all of these. When I question God if he is indeed for real or not, I always find an answer in the wonderful and great things that he has done in my life in the midst of my weaknesses and sinfulness. And this is where we find the reason to rejoice in God always: that in the midst of our brokenness and sometimes feeling unworthy, God does not abandon us – in fact, he raises us up in order for us to redeem our identity and transform us anew. And because God is our Emmanuel (God is in Our Midst), we always have the best reason to rejoice! Happy Gaudete Sunday!

Edited from a reflection by Fr Cary Reniva Parish Priest St Cecilia’s, nr Portland, OR www.stceciliachurch.org