HOLY BAPTISM
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Baptism is the Sacrament instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ
when after His Resurrection He commanded His Apostles to go and teach all nations,
“baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost.”
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The Effects of Baptism
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These are: 1) To wash away original sin and all actual sins
already committed. 2) To give us grace which makes us share the life of God
and opens heaven to us. 3) To imprint a character upon the soul which cannot
be effaced, thus making it impossible for this Sacrament to be repeated. This
character gives us the right to take part in divine worship i.e., in
Holy Mass, Holy Communion, etc. “Unless a man be born again of
water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (Jn.
3:5). Parents must not, therefore, by delaying Baptism, expose a newly-born
child to the danger of dying without having received this Sacrament and so of
missing heaven. Further, Canon 770 of the Canon Law of the Church says that a
child should be baptized as soon as possible.
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Minister of Baptism
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The ordinary minister of solemn Baptism is a priest and the
right to administer it belongs to the parish priest, his permission for another
to do so being presumed in case of necessity. The extraordinary minister is a
deacon. In view of the importance of Baptism for salvation, in the absence of
a priest or deacon, when there is danger of death, anyone may and should baptize.
The Sacrament thus administered without ceremonies is called private Baptism
and does not dispense from the full ceremonies which should be supplied, as
soon as possible, in church by a priest.
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Elements of Baptism
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In administering Baptism it is necessary: 1) To use natural
water, fresh or salt, hot or cold, mineral or otherwise. Salt water should
only be used when necessary, but should be used then, and the same applies to
melted ice or snow. Artificial water, as for example eau de cologne,
cannot be used. In solemn Baptism it is necessary to use baptismal water which
has been blessed on the Vigil of Easter, the ceremonies then used helping us
greatly to understand the dignity of the Sacrament. 2) To pour the water on
the head (usually on the forehead) of the person to be baptized, in such a way
that the water flows on the skin. 3) To say the words: N., I baptize thee,
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. This is
the form of the Sacrament. 4) To do all this with the intention of doing what
the Church wishes done, the Church herself acting only by the power of Christ.
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Note: When Baptism is administered by someone who is
not a priest, there should be, as far as possible, one or two witnesses present
who can testify that the Sacrament has really been conferred.
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Baptismal Names
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Since in Baptism he is made “a new creature,”
the Christian is then given a new name, that of some saint who will from
thenceforth be his patron, his model, and his protector. Therefore, no other
names are accepted at Baptism than saints’ names.
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THE CEREMONIES OF BAPTISM
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PART I
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Formerly, at the inscription of the
candidates for Baptism, on the Friday of the third week
in Lent, outside the church. Nowadays still in the
porch or at the churchdoor.
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1. The Questioning
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Sacerdos. N., quid petis ab
Ecclesia Dei?
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Priest. N., what do you ask of the Church of
God?
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Patrinus. Fidem.
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℟. Faith.
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Sacerdos. Fedes, quid tibi
præstat?
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Priest. What does faith offer you?
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Patrini: Vitam
æternam.
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℟. Eternal life.
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Sacerdos. Si igitur vis ad
vitam ingredi, serva mandata. Diliges Dominum Deum tuum
ex toto corde tuo, et ex tota anima tua, et ex tota
mente tua, et proximum tuum sicut teipsum.
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Priest. If, then, you wish to enter into life,
keep the commandments: thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with
thy whole mind, and thy neighbor as thyself.
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2. The
Exsufflation
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The Priest breathes three times on the
child in the form of a cross: saying:
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Exi ab eo (ea), immunde spiritus, et
da locum Spiritui Sancto Paraclito.
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Depart from him (her), unclean spirit, and give place
to the Holy Ghost, the Consoler.
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3. The Sign of the Cross
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Then he makes the sign of the cross
with his thumb on the child’s forehead and
breast.
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Accipe signum Crucis tam in fron
✠ te, quam in cor
✠ de; sume fidem
cælestium præceptorum: et talis esto
moribus, ut templum Deo jam esse possis.
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Receive the mark of the cross on your ✠ forehead and within your
✠ heart. Embrace
the faith with its divine teachings. So live that you
will indeed be a temple of God.
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Prayer
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Oremus.—Preces nostras,
quæsumus, Domine, clementer exaudi: et hunc
electum tuum (hanc electam tuam) N. crucis
Dominicæ impressione signatum (-am) perpetua
virtute custodi: ut, magnitudinis gloriæ
tuæ rudimenta servans, per custodiam mandatorum
tuorum ad regenerationis gloriam pervenire mereatur.
Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
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Let us pray.—We beg Thee, O Lord God,
graciously hear our prayers. Guard Thy chosen one, N.,
with the never-failing power of the cross of Christ,
with which he (she) has been marked. Protect him (her)
so that, remaining true to the first lessons he (she)
has learned about the great glory Thou wilt confer upon
him (her), he (she) may, by keeping Thy commandments,
attain to the glory of a new birth. Through Christ our
Lord.
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℟. Amen.
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℟. Amen.
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4. The Imposition of Hands
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Then he places his hand on the
child’s head.
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Prayer
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Oremus.—Omnipotens
sempiterne Deus, Pater Domini nostri Jesu Christi,
respicere dignare super hunc famulum tuum N. quam (hanc
famulam tuam N. quam) ad rudimenta fidei vocare
dignatus es; omnem cæcitatem cordis ab eo (ea)
expelle; disrumpe omnes laqueos satanæ, quibus
fuerat colligatus (-a); aperi ei, Domine, januam
pietatis tuæ, ut, signo sapientiæ tuæ
imbutus (-a), omnium cupiditatum fœtoribus
careat, et ad suavem odorem præceptorum tuorum
lætus (-a) tibi in Ecclesia tua deserviat et
proficiat de die in diem. Per eumdem Christum Dominum
nostrum.
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Let us pray.—Almighty and eternal God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, look with favor upon
this Thy servant (handmaid), N., whom Thou hast called
to take his (her) first steps in the Faith. Take from
him (her) all blindness of heart. Free him (her) from
the snares of Satan which until now have held him
(her). Open to him (her), Lord, the gate of Thy mercy.
Then, seasoned by the salt which is symbolic of Thy
wisdom, may he (she) be relieved of the corruption of
evil desires; and, finding pleasure in the keeping of
Thy commandments, may he (she) serve Thee in Thy Church
and make progress from day to day in the way of
perfection. Through the same Christ our Lord.
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℟. Amen.
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℟. Amen.
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5. Blessing of Salt
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The Priest first blesses the
salt.
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Exorcizo te, creatura salis, in nomine
Dei ✠ Patris
omnipotentis, et in caritate Domini nostri Jesu
✠ Christi, et in
virtute Spiritus ✠
Sancti. Exorcizo te per Deum ✠ vivum, per Deum ✠ verum, per Deum ✠ sanctum, per Deum
✠ qui te ad tutelam
humani generis procreavit, et populo venienti ad
credulitatem per servos suos consecrari præcepit,
ut in nomine sanctæ Trinitatis efficiaris,
salutare sacramentum ad effugandum inimicum. Proinde
ragamus te, Domine Deus noster, ut hanc creaturam salis
sanctificando sancti ✠ fices, et benedicendo bene
✠ dicas, ut fiat
omnibus accipientibus perfecta medicina, permanens in
visceribus eorum, in nomine ejusdem Domini nostri Jesu
Christi, qui venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos, et
sæculum per ignem.
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O salt, creature of God, I exorcise you in the name of
God ✠ the Father
almighty and in the love of our Lord Jesus ✠ Christ and in the strength of
the Holy ✠ Ghost. I
exorcise you by the living ✠ God, the true ✠ God, the holy ✠ God, the God ✠ Who brought you into being to
safeguard the human race, and commanded you to be
consecrated by his servants for the benefit of those
who are coming into the Faith, so that by the power of
the Holy Trinity you might become a health-giving
Sacrament to put the enemy to flight. Therefore, we beg
Thee, O Lord our God, to sanctify ✠ by Thy power of
sanctification this salt which Thou has created and to
bless ✠ it with Thy
blessing, so that it may becomea perfect medicine for
all who receive it and may remain always in every fiber
of their being. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who will come to judge the living and the dead and the
world by fire.
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℟. Amen.
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℟. Amen.
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6. The Imposition of Salt
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Then he puts a little blessed salt in
the child’s mouth. Salt is the symbol of the
wisdom which gives a relish for the sweetness of divine
nourishment, preserves it by the teaching of the
gospel, from the corruptions of sin, and prevents evil
passion from growing in men’s souls.
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N., Accipe sal sapientiæ
propitiatio sit tibi in vitam æternam.
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N., receive the salt, which is a symbol of wisdom. May
it bring you God’s favor for life everlasting.
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℟. Amen.
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℟. Amen.
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Sacerdos. Pax tecum.
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Priest. Peace be with you.
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℟ Et cum spiritu tuo.
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℟ And with thy spirit.
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Prayer
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Oremus.—Deus patrum
nostrorum, Deus universæ conditor veritatis, te
supplices exoramus, ut hunc famulum tuum (hanc famulam
tuam) N. respicere digneris propitius, et hoc primum
pabulum salis gustantem, non diutius esurire permittas,
quo minus cibo expleatur cælesti, quatenus sit
semper spiritu fervens, spe gaudens, tuo semper nomini
serviens. Perduc eum (eam), Domine, quæsumus, ad
novæ regenerationis lavacrum, ut cum fidelibus
tuis promissionum tuarum æterna præmia
consequi mereatur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
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Let us pray.—God of our fathers, God,
the author of all truth, we humbly ask Thee to look
with favor on this Thy servant N., who has had his
(her) first taste of blessed food in the form of salt.
Satisfy him (her) with the bread of heaven, so that he
(she) may be forever fervent in spirit, joyful in hope,
and zealous in Thy service. We ask Thee, O Lord, to
lead him (her) to the waters in which he (she) will be
born again, so that he (she), with all who believe in
Thee, may obtain the unending rewards which Thou hast
promised. Through Christ our Lord.
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PART II
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Formerly at St.
Paul’s-Without-the-Walls, on the Wednesday of the
fourth week in Lent (first great “Scrutiny”
or examination of the catechumens). Nowadays, still at
the churchdoor.
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7. The Exorcism
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The Priest making the sign of the
cross over the child three times, says:
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Exorcizo te, immunde spiritus, in
nomine Pa ✠ tris,
et Fi ✠ lii, et
Spiritus ✠ Sancti,
ut exeas, et recedas ab hoc famulo (hac famula) Dei N.:
ipse enim tibi imperat, maledicte damnate, qui pedibus
super mare ambulavit, et Petro mergenti dexteram
porrexit.
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I exorcise you, unclean spirit, in the name of the
Father ✠ and of the
Son ✠ and of the
Holy ✠ Ghost. Come
forth, depart from this servant (handmaid) of God. N.,
for He commands you, accursed and damned spirit, He Who
walked upon the sea and extended His right hand to
Peter as he was sinking.
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Ergo, maledicte diabole, recognosce
sententiam tuam, et da honorem Deo vivo et vero, da
honorem Jesu Christo Filio ejus, et Spiritui Sancto, et
recede ab hoc famulo (hac famula) Dei N., quia istum
(istam) sibi Deus, et Dominus noster Jesus Christus ad
suam sanctam gratiam et benedictionem, fontemque
Baptismatis vocare dignatus est.
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Therefore, accursed devil, acknowledge your
condemnation and pay homage to the true and living God:
pay homage to Jesus Christ, His Son, and to the Holy
Ghost, and depart from this servant (handmaid) of God,
N., for Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, has called him
(her) to His holy grace and blessing, and to the font
of Baptism.
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8. The Sign of the Cross
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The Priest again makes the sign of the
cross on the child’s forehead.
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Et hoc signum sancto Cru ✠ cis, quod nos fronti ejus
damus, tu, maledicte diabole, numquam audeas violare.
Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum.
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Accursed devil, never dare to desecrate this sign of
the holy ✠ cross
which we are tracing upon his (her) forehead. Through
the same Christ our Lord.
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℟. Amen.
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℟. Amen.
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9. The Imposition of Hands
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For the last time he puts his hand on
the child’s head.
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Prayer
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Oremus.—Æternam,
ac justissimam pietatem tuam deprecor, Domine sancte,
Pater omnipotens, æterne Deus, auctor luminis et
veritatis, super hunc famulum tuum (hanc famulam tuam)
N. ut digneris eum (eam) illuminare lumine
intelligentiæ tuæ: munda eum (eam) et
sanctifica: da ei scientiam veram, ut dignus (-a)
gratia Baptismi tui effectus (-a) teneat firmam spem,
consilium rectum, doctrinam sanctam. Per Christum
Dominum nostrum.
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Let us pray.—Lord, holy Father, almighty
and eternal God, source of all light and truth, I
humbly beg Thy never-ending and most holy mercy upon
this servant (handmaid) of Thine, N. May it please Thee
to grant him (her) the light of Thine own wisdom.
Cleanse him (her) and make him (her) holy. Give him
(her) true knowledge, so that he (she) may be made
worthy of the grace of Thy Baptism and maintain firm
hope, sound judgment, and a grasp of holy doctrine.
Through Christ our Lord.
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℟. Amen.
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℟. Amen.
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10. The Admission into the
Church
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The Priest lays the end of his stole
on the child as a symbol of his priestly authority, and
admits him into the church, which is the symbol of the
Church of Christ.
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N. Ingredere in templum Dei, ut habeas
partem cum Christo in vitam æternam.
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N., enter the temple of God, so that you may have part
with Christ in everlasting life.
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℟. Amen.
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℟. Amen.
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11. The Credo and Pater
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While they are coming into the church,
the
godparents in the name of the child repeat the
Credo and Pater.
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Sacerdos. Reddite symbolum
Fidei.
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Priest. Say the Apostles’ Creed.
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Sacerdos et patrini conjunctim:
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Priest and sponsors together:
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Credo in Deum, Patrem omnipotentem,
creatorem cæli et terræ et in Jesum
Christum, Filium ejus unicum, Dominum nostrum: qui
conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria
Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus,
et sepultus; descendit ad inferos; tertia die
resurrexit a mortuis; ascendit at cælos; sedet ad
dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis: inde venturus est
judicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum,
sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, Sanctorum communionem,
remissionem paccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam
æternam. Amen.
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I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son,
our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of
the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into
hell, the third day He arose again from the dead; He
ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God,
the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge
the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost,
the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and
life everlasting. Amen.
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Sacerdos. Dicite orationem
dominicam.
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Priest. Say the Our Father.
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Sacerdos et patrini conjunctim:
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Priest and sponsors together:
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Pater noster, qui es in cælis,
sanctificetur nomen tuum, Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat
voluntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra. Panem
nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie. Et dimitte nobis
debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus
nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem: sed libera
nos a malo. Amen.
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Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be 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.
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PART III
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Formerly on Holy Saturday afternoon in
the Basilica of St. John Lateran (last Scrutiny).
Nowadays in the nave of the church, in front of the
baptismal chapel.
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12. The Solemn Exorcism
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The Priest makes the sign of the cross
three times over the child and says:
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Exorcizo te, omnis spiritus immunde,
in nomine Dei ✠
Patris omnipotentis, et in nomine Jesu ✠ Christi Filii ejus, Domini et
Judicis nostri, et in virtute Spiritus ✠ Sancti, ut discedas ab hoc
plasmate Dei, quod Dominus noster ad templum sanctum
suum vocare dignatus est, ut fiat templum Dei vivi, et
Spiritus Sanctus habitet in eo (ea). Per eumdem
Christum Dominum nostrum, qui venturus est judicare
vivos et mortuos, et sæculum per ignem.
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I exorcise you, every unclean spirit, inthe name of
God, the Father ✠
almighty, and in the name of His Son, Jesus
✠ Christ, our Lord
and Judge, and in the strength of the Holy ✠ Ghost, that you may depart
from this creature of God, N., whom our Lord has called
to His holy temple in order that he (she) may become a
temple of the living God and that the Holy Ghost may
dwell in him (her). Through the same Christ our Lord,
Who will come to judge the living and the dead and the
world by fire.
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℟. Amen.
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℟. Amen.
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13. The Ephphetha
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The Priest takes saliva from his mouth
and touches the ears and nostrils of the child with it,
as our Lord did when He healed the deaf and dumb. (See
the Gospel for the eleventh Sunday after Pentecost). If
there are some reasons of health, etc., the use of saliva
may now be omitted. While he touches the ears, first
the right, then the left ear, he says:
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Ephpheta, quod est, Adaperire.
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Ephpheta, which means, “Be opened.”
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He then touches the nostrils,
saying:
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In odorem suavitatis. Tu autem
effugare, diabole; appropinquabit enim judicium
Dei.
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So that you may perceive the fragrance of God’s
sweetness. But you, O devil, depart; for the judgment
of God has come.
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14. The Renunciation of Satan
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The godparents answer in the name of
the child.
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Sacerdos. N., abrenuntias
satanæ?
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Priest. N., do you renounce Satan?
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℟. Abrenuntio.
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℟. I do renounce him.
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Sacerdos. Et omnibus operibus
ejus?
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Priest. And all his works?
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℟. Abrenuntio.
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℟. I do renounce them.
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Sacerdos. Et omnibus pompis
ejus?
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Priest. And all his pomps?
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℟. Abrenuntio.
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℟. I do renounce them.
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15. The Anointing
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The Priest anoints the child with the
oil of catechumens on the breast and between the
shoulders in the form of a cross, saying:
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Ego te linio ✠ oleo salutis in Christo Jesu
Domino nostro, ut habeas vitam æternam.
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I anoint you with the oil ✠ of salvation in Christ Jesus
our Lord, so that you may have everlasting life.
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℟. Amen.
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℟. Amen.
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PART IV
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Formerly during Easter night, in the
Baptistery of Lateran. Nowadays in the baptismal
chapel.
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16. The Profession of Faith
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The Priest takes off the violet stole
and puts on a white one. (Formerly this ceremony took
place during the Paschal vigil, at the time that the
Church was laying aside her Lenten mourning.)
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The godparents answer.
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IN GOD THE FATHER
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Sacerdos. N. Credis in Deum
Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem cœli et
terræ?
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Priest. N., do you believe in God, the Father
almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
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℟. Credo.
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℟. I do believe.
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IN GOD THE SON
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Sacerdos. Credis in Jesum
Christum, Filium ejus unicum, Dominum nostrum, natum,
et passum?
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Priest. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His
only Son, our Lord, Who was born into this world and
Who suffered?
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℟. Credo.
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℟. I do believe.
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nbsp;
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IN GOD THE HOLY GHOST
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Sacerdos. Credis et in
Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam,
Sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis
resurrectionem, et vitam æternam?
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Priest. Do you believe also in the Holy Ghost,
the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and
life everlasting?
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℟. Credo.
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℟. I do believe.
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17. Baptism (Matter and Form of the
Sacrament)
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While the godparents hold the child,
the Priest pours water on his head three times in the
form of a cross.
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Baptism is administered in the name of
the Holy Trinity, according to our Lord’s words:
“Going, therefore, teach ye all nations:
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
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Sacerdos. N., vis
baptizari?
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Priest. Do you wish to be baptized?
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℟. Volo.
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℟. I do.
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Sacerdos. N., Ego te
baptizo
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Priest. N., I baptize thee
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Pouring water the first time:
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In nomine Pa ✠ tris,
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In the name of the Father ✠
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Pouring water the second time:
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et Fi ✠ lii,
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and of the Son ✠
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Pouring water the third time:
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et Spiritus ✠ Sancti.
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and of the Holy ✠
Ghost.
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Thus passing through the baptismal
waters the soul, as St. Paul tells us, is buried with
Christ in Baptism, that “as Christ is risen from
the dead” so it also may walk in newness of
life.
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18. The Anointing with Chrism
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Then the Priest anoints the
child’s head with sacred chrism.
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As the Catechism of the Council of
Trent tells us, from this moment the baptized person is
united as a member to Christ his Head, taking His name
Christian from Christ, Whose name in its turn comes
from the chrismatio,
i.e., anointing.
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Deus omnipotens, Pater Domini nostri
Jesu Christi, qui te regeneravit ex aqua et Spiritu
Sancto, quique dedit tibi remissionem omnium peccatorum
(hic inungit), ipse te liniat ✠ Chrismate salutis in eodem
Christo Jesu Domino nostro in vitam
æternam.
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May almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who has given you a new birth by means of water and the
Holy Ghost and forgiven all your sins, (here he
anoints) anoint you with the Chrism ✠ of salvation in the same
Christ Jesus our Lord, so that you may have everlasting
life.
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℟. Amen.
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℟. Amen.
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Sacerdos. Pax tibi.
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Priest. Peace be with you.
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℟. Et cum spiritu
tuo.
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℟. And with thy spirit.
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19. The White Linen Cloth
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Then the Priest puts a white linen
cloth on the head of the child.
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This cloth takes the place of the old
chrismale, which was used to protect the
sacred unction at a time when the chrism was not yet
wiped off with cotton wool; at the same time, this
cloth replaces the white garment which was formerly
worn by the neophytes for eight days. By this is
symbolized the purity of a soul cleansed from original
sin in the water of Baptism.
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Accipe vestem candidam, quam perferas
immaculatam ante tribunal Domini nostri Jesu Christi,
ut habeas vitam æternam.
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Receive this white garment. Never let it become
stained, so that when you stand before the judgment
seat of our Lord Jesus Christ, you may have life
everlasting.
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℟. Amen.
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℟. Amen.
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20. The Lighted Candle
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The Priest gives the child or sponsor
a lighted candle.
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Accipe lampadem ardentem, et
irreprehensibilis custodi Baptismum tuum: serva Dei
mandata, ut, cum Dominus venerit ad nuptias, possis
occurrere ei una cum omnibus Sanctis in aula
cælesti, et vivas in sæcula
sæculorum.
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Receive this burning light, and keep the grace of your
Baptism throughout a blameless life. Observe the
commandments of God. Then, when the Lord comes to His
heavenly wedding feast, you will be able to meet Him
with all the Saints in the halls of heaven, and live
for ever and ever.
|
℟. Amen.
|
℟. Amen.
|
21. Last Words of Good Will
|
N. vade in pace, et Dominus sit
tecum.
|
N., go in peace, and the Lord be with you.
|
℟. Amen.
|
℟. Amen.
|