New rite for infant baptism published

Title

Language

English

Year

1969

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

636 BOLETIN ECLESIASTICO DE FILIPINAS figure should have in the spiritual life of her faithful. But every saint, even those who do not figure in the liturgical calendar, can always be invoked. Mass can always be offered in their honor.” Their feasts have not been abolished. As well as the early saints who lived in the Mediterranean area, the calendar now includes more reoent saints and saints from other parts of the world. Among the new feasts are the Martyrs of Nagasaki (for the Far East), the Martyrs of Uganda (Central and Southern Africa), St. Pierre Chanel (Oceania), St. Martin ds Porres (South America) and Sts. Columbanus and Ansgar (Northern Europe). POPE ASK YOUTH TO DARE ADVENTURE OF VOCATION Pope Paul has called on the world’s young people “to dare the great adventure of following the Master all the way.” He was speaking of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.” “Vocations are needed,” he said in a speech to thousands in St. Peter’s Square. What is needed are sotils that are strong and generous, men and women who will consecrate life completely, full time (the Pope used the English term, “full time”) to the kingdom of God, to the cause of the Gospel, to the service of faith and charity.” . Pope Paul appealed to all Catholics “to reflect on the question of find ing new and apt persons, generally the young, who will today leave everything to put themselves at Christ’s total and exclusive disposition.” Although this question boils down to “the commitment of a few,” it is of general interest, the Pope said, because it bears on the “salvation of the modem world.” NEW RITE FOR INFANT BAPTISM PUBLISHED The new baptismal rite of infants was published on June and will go into effect on September 8. Parents are given a more active role to play; godparents continue to have ar. important part. The responsibilities of both ane made clear. The child’s incorporation through Baptism in the people of God is given greater emphasis, and the rite is oriented towards the participation of the parish community. The new text, in the words of Father Annibale Bugnini, C.M., secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship, is “much gentler.” It understands the infant’s “real condition.” THE CHURCH HERE AND THERE Gone are the long interrogations to which the baby — cooing or crying or sleeping — has been subjected “as if he should or could reply” (again to quote Father Bugnini). Gone is the hair-raising exorcism. And though the book of the ritual still allows the traditional renunciation of Satan, his pomp and lais work — there is an alternate choice, “more in harmony with the modem mind,” Father Bugnini says, which centres around Christian aversion to evil. Warnings by the minister are directed at the parents and godparents and congregation, to accept their responsibility. With regard to the child, the minister emphasizes that grace is a sheer gift. Yet he addresses the child directly when this seems fitting. The rite begins with the ceremonial welcome of the infant or infants and their family at the door of the Church. There follows the liturgy of the word, which sheds light on the meaning of Baptism. Tliat finishes with a common prayer of intercession for the child or children to be baptised. The core of the ceremony, consisting of the administration of the sacrament itself, is immediately preceded by the blesing of the baptismal water and by the renunciation and profession of faith (uttered on behalf of the child by the parents, godparents and the entire congregation). It is followed by the anoint ing and the giving of the white garment and a candle lighted from the paschal candle. The rite is concluded before the altar with the Our Father and the bless ing of the priest, bestowed separately upon the newly baptized, the parents and all present. Father Bugnini, writing in L’Osservatore Romano, has urged bishops’ con ferences and liturgical commissions to “do their best — is it necessary to repeat this? — to prepare editions in the national tongues.” Provisional translations should be available until definitive versions can be polished and approved. “In that way, on September 8 next, the clergy can have in hand a valid ar.d seemly text for the administration of this sacrament, forestalling individual initiatives that are offbeat as well as offhand.” The new baptismal rite was drawn up through the work of two study groups directed by Father Balthasar Fischer, head of the Liturgical Institute in Trier, Germany. Father Bugnini noted that the baptismal ritual was the first book issued by the newly founded Congregation for Divine Worship. “A circumstance of good augury for a long, blessed and fruitful life of work.”

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