Baptism: Questions & Answers
Baptism: Questions & Answers
questions
& answers
Content
1. Why should one baptise?
2. How does one baptise?
3. How does one prepare for Baptism?
4. What is expected of the parents?
5. Who can be a godparent?
6. What are the commitments of the
godparent(s)?
7. Is Baptism necessary for salvation?
8. Why are infants baptised in the
Catholic Church?
9. How old should the child be
when it is baptised?
10. Can an adult be baptised in the
Catholic Church?
11. I am a single parent. Can my
children be baptised?
12. We are not married but are just
living together. Can our child be
baptised?
13. Can the child be baptised when
the parents are not in agreement?
14. Are there any costs for Baptism?
15. Should one be registered in a
Catholic parish in Sweden in order to have ones child baptised?
16. What documents does one need
to present?
17. I was baptised in another Christian church. Do I need to be
4. What is expected
of the parents?
The Baptism of children presupposes
that they will be told why they have been
baptised. It is important that children learn
to pray in the family and from an early
age feel at home in the Church and in its
liturgy. Children can be a challenge with
their tricky and unexpected questions.
Parents have the possibility of discovering
and growing in their faith together with
their children. The godparents and the
parish can help them in this task. Parents
are expected to ensure that their children
take part in catechism classes arranged by the parish in preparation for
first holy communion and confirmation. Parishes begin catechism classes the same autumn as the children begin school. Contact the parish in
good time.
12. We are not married but are living together. Can our child be baptised?
Yes, if you want to give your child the possibility of growing up as a
Christian. You need to speak about this with the priest or deacon.
In the conversation with the priest/deacon the question of marriage
will arise. The birth and Baptism of a child helps many couples to
decide to get married.
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18. Can I have my child baptised in another parish than the one I belong to?
Baptism should in principle take place in the Catholic parish
where one lives. It is desirable that the baptised child can grow
up in the local parish. For the same reason the child should not
be baptised at home. If there are special reasons Baptism may
take place in another parish.
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19. May one have ones own songs and poems at the Baptism ceremony?
It varies from parish to parish. In some parishes they have the following praxis:
The parents can choose bible texts and hymns. One can include the
Christian names of the child and/or family members in the invocation of the saints. The family, godparents and friends can be active
in the ceremony in different ways, for example reading some texts.
In any case, it is important to remember that Baptism is not a private family party. The Baptism service affects the deepest identity
of the human being, ones relation to God and ones place in the
community of the Church. Together with the priest/deacon one can
decide what is appropriate in the ceremony. Bear in mind that poems can be read out by family and friends at the party afterwards. If
possible it is desirable that several children be baptised at the same
ceremony. Baptism can also be carried out at Sunday Mass.
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2. In the Church
Readings from the Bible
Homily
Intercessions
Invocation of the Saints
Prayer for liberation from
the power of Satan
The laying on of hands
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4. Conclusion of
the Rite before
the Altar
The Lords Prayer
Blessing
Prayer before Mary, Mother of
God (optional)
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Litany of Saints
Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist pray for us.
Saint Joseph pray for us.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul pray for us.
All holy men and women pray for us.
Prayer of Exorcism and Anointing before Baptism:
Almighty and ever-living God,
you sent your only Son into the world
to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil,
to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness,
and bring him into the splendor of your kingdom
of light.
We pray for N./and N.
set them free from original sin,
make them a temple of your glory,
and send your Holy Spirit to dwell within them.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Anointing on breast with Oil of Catechumen
Celebration of the Sacrament
Blessing and Invocation of God over Baptismal
Water
Father, you give us grace through sacramental
signs, which tell us of the wonders of your unseen
power. In baptism we use your gift of water, which
you have made a rich symbol of the grace you give
us in this sacrament.
At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed
on the waters making them the wellspring of all
holiness.
The waters of the great flood you made a sign of
the waters of baptism, that make an end of sin and
a new beginning of goodness.
Through the waters of the Red Sea you led Israel
out of slavery, to be an image of Gods holy people,
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Concluding Rite.
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Celebrant: May the almighty God, bless you, the
Father and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
Celebrant: The Mass is ended, go in peace.
All: Thanks be to God.
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Ez 36:24-28
Eph 4:1-6
Ps 23
Ps 27
Ps 34
Mark 1:9-11
John 3:1-6
John 7:37b-39a
hymn
We would like to sing the following hymn/hymns
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Oremus
Catholic prayer book in Swedish, with daily prayers, meditations, Liturgy of the
Hours, prayers for the liturgical year, etc. A presentation of the Sacraments.
Cecilia
Catholic hymnbook. Contains hymns for the whole liturgical year, texts of the Mass,
responsorial psalms, prayers of the priest for all Sunday Masses and a liturgical calendar.
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Internet
Bookstores and
publishers:
www.lillatherese.se
www.katolskbokhandel.com
www.veritasforlag.se
www.catholica.se
Vatican homepage
www.vatican.va
Catholic Church
in Sweden
with news, all the Catholic parishes in
Sweden, Catholic organisations, schools,
associations. Links to homepages related
to our Church.
www.katolskakyrkan.se
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Respekt
Catholic movement that works to
promote the inviolability of human life
from conception to a natural death.
www.respektlivet.nu
Newmaninstitutet
Courses and seminars in theology, philosophy and culture.
www.newman.se
Catholic encyclopedia
www.newadvent.org
Periodical
www.katolsktmagasin.se
www.signum.se
Image sources
Church window page 12 from Maria i Rosengrd parish, Malm Malgorzata Jarosz.
Baptismal images page 6, 9, 15, 16, 18, 19 from Vr Fru Catholic parish in Tby, photo Carina kesson.
Page 4, Baptism according to the Melkite Catholic rite, photo Michel Louis. Baptismal font page 28
from the Church of Tysslinge, photo Per Englund. Illustrations page 20-21 Rauha Navarro Marttinen.
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