2010 Baptism Celebrations * Houston, Texas Catholic & Nondenomination Services

Oct. 21, 2009 - PRLog -- The Vows for the celebration are below:

Order of Administration of the Rites of the Sacrament of Baptism

A form of Service for the Christian Baptism Rite children and infants. The same Rites may be used for an unbaptised adult.

Preparation for Baptism. The minister shall require a small table for use as an alter if the celebration is held outside the church. The table should be covered with white linen or cloth. Upon the table should be a Holy Bible, a cross or crucifix, a tabernacle or container,
Holy Water, a lit white candle, anointing oil, and Communion Kit. The Alter shall be placed where the Minister stands to the front. Baptismal Certificate.

The call to worship and the opening prayers:

The Minister makes the sign of the cross  and speaks:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Pause) The grace of our Lord and Christ Jesus,  the Love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you!

(Response)
And also with you!
AMEN.
The Minister speaks:
Let us pray!  Lord God, In the New Testament you state that wherever two or more of us are joined in your name, that you would be there also. And today as we meet here
with the __________________ family, who now present_____________for  the Holy Sacrament  of Baptism, we invite you to join with us now. We also pray that this child, the family, and the others in attendance be blessed and inspired in their Christian lives by this sacred celebration. We ask for Your blessings upon us all. AMEN.

At this time the minister shall introduce the parents, and invite them to bring the child(s) to the alter. The minister then shall recognise the  Grand parents, great grand parents, brothers and sister, aunts, and uncles, and other family members. The sponsors  shall also be introduced and asked to stand.  Each should speak a few words about the child, and the child's life to date and up bringing.

The Minister speaks:

I would like to Thank You all for your being here with the ______________ family as we prepare to officiate the Holy Sacrament of Baptism.

The First Reading:
God is in spirit and those that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth!
AMEN.  John 4:24

The Second Reading:

The were there brought unto him the little children, that He should put His hands on them and pray for them, and the Disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said; “Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come unto Me. For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven made. And He laid hands on them, and blessed  them, and they departed thence. AMEN.
Matthew 19:13-15

The Gospel comes from John  3:5.
Jesus speaks, “Verily, verily I say unto you; Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he can not enter into the Kingdom of God. AMEN.

The Minister continues:
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus often speaks of Baptism. Jesus, himself was Baptised by Saint John the Baptist. Today, we again honor the sacrament and tradition.

Dearly Beloved,  the Divine Humane task of developing a personality after the birth of a child is the most delicate and important job to which a man and woman are called.  All the sights and sounds that play upon the sensitive little body will help determine the child's future characteristics in the child's life. The love in and of the home  and surroundings  affect the child in a 1000 ways for the good of a child.  A child learns to love be being loved,  and a child learns to do good from seeing others do good.  A child learns the love of God by a Christian upbringing, and the participation in God's church, and the family teaching a love of God and prayer to the child at an early age. As the child grows in his spiritual life,  and in his love of God,  the child also receives love and happiness in this taught love of God from parents and church. The religious conversation with her child even at an early age have life long consequences  in a fuller and richer growth in life.  The doors of the Kingdom of Heaven will open unto the child as he learns from the examples set by the family and others in the child's life. The Spirit and Love of Jesus Christ comes natural and easy to the humane heart and spirit.  It is the duty of these parents to receive this child from God's hands and to care for the child. The parents should use their knowledge  to teach this child of God's love for all man kind. You should teach this child about prayer, and how a child can pray even at an early age.  Go forward with this child of God, bringing forth love and goodness  always to this child.
AMEN

*The Minister now invites the Godparents to join the family at the alter. The Minister shall
ask each if they have been Baptised and accepted Jesus Christ as their savior?

The Minister speaks:

What is the name of this child? ( the family replies with the child's full name)
The Minister shall then speak  the name loudly.

Who presents this child for baptism? ( The family replies; We do.)

The Minister speaks:

Do you all promise to pray for and with this child in his growth in the knowledge of the Lord, and will you help this child to obtain a spiritual life as described in the Holy Bible?
(The family replies: We do.)

Do you all promise to do all in your power to lead this child at a proper age in his life to confess his faith in Jesus Christ?  (The family replies: We do.)

The Minister then says:

Please hand me the child.

The Minister thens receives the child and holds the child over the Baptismal Font then pours Holy Water over the child's head as he speaks these words:

I Baptize You, _______________________,
in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit! AMEN.

The Minister then hands the child back to his mother.

The Minister speaks:
Please  prepare  to receive the Lord's Supper. Form a line behind the parents.
(The minister then serves communion to himself & other clergy first, then he serves the line beginning with the parents. The minister shall present each with the bread and wine while making a cross on their forehead and blessing each that receives  Communion.

The Minister then asks the  parents to stand in front of the alter to greet those gathered.

The Minister speaks:

The Mass has Ended. Go in Peace. Amen.

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Minister's Services for Nondenominational & Catholic Baptism Celebrations, Weddings, Quince Anos, Anniverseries, and Home blessings. Call Father Louis Bernhardt at 832-569-2014.