The Ceremony of Baptism.
Baptism is usually done on a Sunday. Originally Baptism was done on Easter Saturday, following Lent but the ceremonies began with the opening of Lent.
Official Minister:
Baptism is done by a bishop, a priest or a deacon. However, if necessary according to Canon Law anyone can administer the Sacrament of baptism as long as the intent is there and proper words are used.
(Catholicdoors.com, 2015)
Participants:
Baby/child or adult being baptised.
Godparents are people who represents the Church and assumes responsibility for the spiritual education of the infant. The parents, of course, must consent to the baptism; the Church refuses to baptise anyone against his or her will, or even to baptise an infant unless there is some guarantee that the child will be raised in the faith. The sponsors are representatives of the Church, not representatives of the parents. They witness the incorporation of the infant into the fellowship of Christ. It is good if the godparents can be adult Catholics who will take an interest in the child as he or she grows up. In the early Church the godparents were sponsors who taught the new Christian, usually an adult, about the faith. Later on when infant baptism became usual, the godparents often took the role of guardians of the child if anything happened to the parents. Something of these two roles remain today.
(Catholics Australia, 2015)
Others
It is the role of the father and mother, accompanied by the godparents, to present the child to the Church for baptism. Other family members are present to celebrate with the church.
The Ceremony
Baptism takes place during Sunday Mass, the Mass for that Sunday is used, and the celebration takes place as follows:
The Baptism Ceremony includes the Eucharistc mass with a few minor changes.
Welcoming
The ceremony begins with a welcome to the family from the priest on behalf of the the Church community. He asks the parents whether you accept the responsibility of bringing up the child in the practice of the faith. Then with the parents and godparents, he greets the child with the sign of the cross.
In the Gospel Jesus speaks of the new life which baptism brings; and the Priest may expand on this with a short talk. Prayers are then offered.
Word of God - word of God in Scripture- based on scripture events that relate to baptism . The priest gives a short homily or reflection on the readings, some examples are below.
John 3: 1-6: The meeting with Nicodemus.
Matthew 28: 18-20: The apostles are sent to preach the gospel and to baptise.
Mark 1: 9-11: The baptism of Jesus.
Mark 10: 13-16: Let the little children come to me.
Washing
Water is the symbol of life: for without water there will be no life. Baptism signifies the new life and the cleansing from sin won for us when Jesus rose from the dead.
Prayers are offered for the child being baptised and this is followed by the anointing with Oil of Baptism . The water is blessed and the minister then asks the parents to make a profession of faith and affirm that the child will be raised in a Catholic life. A set of vows, rejecting Satan and confessing faith to catholic beliefs as outlined in the Apostles Creed. The parents then make the baptismal promises on behalf of their child.
The minister then pours the baptismal water over your child's forehead three times saying,
"I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Worshiping
The child is then anointed with Oil of Chrism.
Witnessing
The child has been given the Spirit of Christ and so can reveal this life in the world. As a sign of this power to witness the Christ a white garment is wrapped around the child to show that he or she is a new creation clothed in Christ. Finally, a member of the family, usually the father or godparent, is given a candle to light from the paschal candle.
The ceremony is now over. Everyone prays together the prayer Christ taught us - the Our Father. This is followed by special prayers for each parent and all who have joined in this joyful welcoming of a new Christian into the world.
End of the ceremony Baptismal certificate
At the end of the ceremony the parents are given a Baptismal Certificate which they will keep as a record of their child’s initiation into the Church and present at future sacraments.
Here is a couple of sites that actually outline the steps in the ceremony:
Ceremony Steps
Rite of Baptism
Official Minister:
Baptism is done by a bishop, a priest or a deacon. However, if necessary according to Canon Law anyone can administer the Sacrament of baptism as long as the intent is there and proper words are used.
(Catholicdoors.com, 2015)
Participants:
Baby/child or adult being baptised.
Godparents are people who represents the Church and assumes responsibility for the spiritual education of the infant. The parents, of course, must consent to the baptism; the Church refuses to baptise anyone against his or her will, or even to baptise an infant unless there is some guarantee that the child will be raised in the faith. The sponsors are representatives of the Church, not representatives of the parents. They witness the incorporation of the infant into the fellowship of Christ. It is good if the godparents can be adult Catholics who will take an interest in the child as he or she grows up. In the early Church the godparents were sponsors who taught the new Christian, usually an adult, about the faith. Later on when infant baptism became usual, the godparents often took the role of guardians of the child if anything happened to the parents. Something of these two roles remain today.
(Catholics Australia, 2015)
Others
It is the role of the father and mother, accompanied by the godparents, to present the child to the Church for baptism. Other family members are present to celebrate with the church.
The Ceremony
Baptism takes place during Sunday Mass, the Mass for that Sunday is used, and the celebration takes place as follows:
The Baptism Ceremony includes the Eucharistc mass with a few minor changes.
Welcoming
The ceremony begins with a welcome to the family from the priest on behalf of the the Church community. He asks the parents whether you accept the responsibility of bringing up the child in the practice of the faith. Then with the parents and godparents, he greets the child with the sign of the cross.
In the Gospel Jesus speaks of the new life which baptism brings; and the Priest may expand on this with a short talk. Prayers are then offered.
Word of God - word of God in Scripture- based on scripture events that relate to baptism . The priest gives a short homily or reflection on the readings, some examples are below.
John 3: 1-6: The meeting with Nicodemus.
Matthew 28: 18-20: The apostles are sent to preach the gospel and to baptise.
Mark 1: 9-11: The baptism of Jesus.
Mark 10: 13-16: Let the little children come to me.
Washing
Water is the symbol of life: for without water there will be no life. Baptism signifies the new life and the cleansing from sin won for us when Jesus rose from the dead.
Prayers are offered for the child being baptised and this is followed by the anointing with Oil of Baptism . The water is blessed and the minister then asks the parents to make a profession of faith and affirm that the child will be raised in a Catholic life. A set of vows, rejecting Satan and confessing faith to catholic beliefs as outlined in the Apostles Creed. The parents then make the baptismal promises on behalf of their child.
The minister then pours the baptismal water over your child's forehead three times saying,
"I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Worshiping
The child is then anointed with Oil of Chrism.
Witnessing
The child has been given the Spirit of Christ and so can reveal this life in the world. As a sign of this power to witness the Christ a white garment is wrapped around the child to show that he or she is a new creation clothed in Christ. Finally, a member of the family, usually the father or godparent, is given a candle to light from the paschal candle.
The ceremony is now over. Everyone prays together the prayer Christ taught us - the Our Father. This is followed by special prayers for each parent and all who have joined in this joyful welcoming of a new Christian into the world.
End of the ceremony Baptismal certificate
At the end of the ceremony the parents are given a Baptismal Certificate which they will keep as a record of their child’s initiation into the Church and present at future sacraments.
Here is a couple of sites that actually outline the steps in the ceremony:
Ceremony Steps
Rite of Baptism