Rite One

From the Book of Divine Worship - Holy baptism.

When Baptism is to be administered at the Eucharist, the Rite follows directly after the homily.

The Minister of Baptism is vested in alb and white stole, or surplice and white stole. He may wear a cope.

The Minister says to the Godparents:

Hath this Child (Person) been already baptized, or no?

If they answer, No: then shall the Minister proceed as followeth.

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as our Savior Christ saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God, except he be regenerate and born anew of Water and of the Holy Ghost; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous mercy he will grant to this Child (this Person) that which by nature he cannot have; that he may be baptized with Water and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's holy Church and be made a living member of the same.

Then shall the Minister say,

Let us pray.

Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all who need, the helper of all who flee to thee for succor, the life of those who believe, and the resurrection of the dead; We call upon thee for this Child (this thy Servant), that he coming to thy holy Baptism, may receive remission of sin, by spiritual regeneration. Receive him, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying, Ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

So give now unto us who ask; let us who seek, find; open the gate unto us who knock; that this Child (this thy Servant) may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen.

When Baptism takes place at Mass, it follows the Homily and the following Gospel reading is omitted.

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by Saint Mark, in the tenth Chapter, at the thirteenth Verse.

They brought young children to Christ, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said, Suff er the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Or this:

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by Saint John, in the third Chapter, at the first Verse.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom God.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Or this:

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by Saint Matthew, in the twenty-eighth Chapter, at the eighteenth Verse.

Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

Then shall the Minister say:

And now, being persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father toward this Child (this Person), declared by his Son Jesus Christ; let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him, and say,

Minister and People:

Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly Father,
we give thee humble thanks,
that thou hast vouchsafed to call us
to the knowledge of thy grace, and faith in thee:
increase this knowledge,
and confirm this faith in us evermore.

Give thy Holy Spirit to this child (this thy Servant),
that he may be born again,
and be made an heir of everlasting salvation;
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.