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Category Archives: Rite of Baptism
Who’s Baptizing Now?
The news came out today that lay people have been commissioned as extraordinary ministers of baptism in the German diocese of Essen. You’d expect the lingo to be inaccurate from a secular body like the AP: The Roman Catholic Diocese … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, Rite of Baptism
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More On The Baptism Thing
Maybe the Google is watching me quite closely, but I’m seeing a lot of secular news items in my feeds on “invalid baptisms.” This one, too, in which Fr Thomas Reese assesses the CDF decision simply enough: I think it’s … Continue reading
Posted in Church News, Liturgy, Rite of Baptism
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The Problem of Father Arango
The Diocese of Phoenix reaches out here to Catholics deemed invalidly baptized because of that I/we thing that came out in the summer of 2020. The liturgical offender, Father Andres Arango, has resigned his pastorate at Saint Gregory Church. If … Continue reading
Posted in Church News, Rite of Baptism
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On A Baptism Acclamation
I have heard through the liturgical grapevine that when “Alleluia” was suggested as an acclamation at the Rite of Baptism, the US bishops demurred. “Inappropriate,” came the word. I don’t know how deeply the word will spread. Many parishes do … Continue reading
Posted in bishops, Liturgy, Rite of Baptism
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Being A Good Godparent Part 2
The day of baptism arrives. What does a godparent do? Whether the ritual will be celebrated during Mass or outside of it, arrive early. One spiritual thing a godparent can do is a simple exercise. Approach the baptismal font and … Continue reading
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Being A Good Godparent Part 1
This post commences a short new series on a role that’s come under fire recently. I happen to think–perhaps naively–that if the Church gives positive witness and makes some demands of people, they will respond in turn. Another caution here: … Continue reading
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We Have Met The Baptist, and He Is We
Even my wife was asking me about this resolution from the CDF on baptism. That is what the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith affirms in response to two questions regarding the validity of Baptism conferred with the formula, “In the … Continue reading
Posted in Church News, Rite of Baptism
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On Some Wisconsin Baptisms
I notice that the Diocese of Madison issued a press release last Friday to inform the general public about its practice of baptizing children of same-sex couples. A priest I know (in another diocese), when he was requested to preside at such … Continue reading
Posted in Adoption, Politics, Rite of Baptism
Tagged Bishop Morlino, same-sex unions
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1 of 32 Baptisms
I was reading of Pope Francis’ baptism liturgy yesterday. Of the 64 parents, all were married, but only 62 under Church auspices. Cue the wringing of hands. I can see this is a problem for some, as I review a … Continue reading
Treating Baptism
Baptism is a responsibility for anyone who chooses it. Converts, committed Christians, and even parents and godparents. Pope Francis has some thoughts today that struck me: As he has done on a couple of occasions before, the Pope asked those … Continue reading
Baptism at Sunday Eucharist
From the East balcony, a view over our narthex and the Rite of Baptism as celebrated at a recent Sunday Mass. What’s interesting is that over the past fourteen years, no young person or anybody else for that matter, needs … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, Parish Life, Rite of Baptism
Tagged baptism at Mass, baptismal font, gathering space, infant baptism, narthex
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Baptisms In Lent
I noticed that the question came up in Zenit’s weekly liturgy Q&A column. Fr McNamara’s assessment, after quoting the relevant documents: Therefore, there is no universal rule that would forbid the practice of baptism during Lent. However, given that Lent … Continue reading
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RBC 30-31: Adapting for Other Circumstances
With this post, we conclude our look at the introduction to the RBC. Some local adaptations are described: 30. If baptism is celebrated during Mass on weekdays, it is arranged in basically the same way as on Sunday, but the … Continue reading
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RBC 29: Adapting for Sunday Mass
Let’s look at Baptism during Sunday Mass. Remember that after the Easter vigil, Sunday is the preferred day for baptism, either at Mass or outside of it. I had not noted this adaptation, that during Ordinary Time or Christmas, you … Continue reading
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RBC 27-28: Adaptations by the Minister
Subheading VI details adaptations by the minister. These entail a careful look at two things: the preparation meetings (note the rite presumes more than one–a rarity, I’d say) and how to handle infant or young child baptism amidst the complexities … Continue reading
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Catholic Sensibility 