Rite of Baptism for Children in Danger of Death
The General Introduction to Christian Initiation and the Introduction to the Baptism of Children can be found in the Readings for Baptism found in the ‘Rites’ section of the iBreviary.
RITE OF BAPTISM FOR CHILDREN
IN DANGER OF DEATH
WHEN NO PRIEST OR DEACON IS AVAILABLE
157 Water, even though not blessed, is prepared for the rite. The parents, godparents, and if possible some friends and neighbors of the family gather around the sick child. The minister, who is any suitable member of the Church, begins with this brief prayer of the faithful:
Let us ask almighty God to look with mercy on this child who is about to receive the grace of baptism, on his (her) parents and godparents, and on all baptized persons.
Through baptism, welcome this child into your Church.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Through baptism, make him (her) one of your adopted children.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Through baptism, he (she) is being buried in the likeness of Christ’s death. May he (she) also share in the glory of his resurrection.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Renew the grace of our baptism in each one of us.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
May all the followers of Christ, baptized into one body, always live united in faith and love.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
158 The prayer of the faithful concludes with this prayer:
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
source of all life and love,
you know the anxiety of parents
and you lighten their burden
by your fatherly care for all children in danger.
You reveal the depth of your love
by offering them a new and eternal birth.
In your kindness, hear our prayers:
keep this child from the power of sin,
and welcome him (her) with love
into the kingdom of your Son.
By water and by the power of the Holy Spirit,
may this child, whom we now call N.,
share in the mystery of Christ’s death
so that he (she) may also share
in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection.
May he she become your adopted son (daughter),
and share the inheritance of Christ.
Grant that he (she) may rejoice
in the fellowship of your Church
with your only Son and the Holy Spirit
for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
159 Then they make the profession of faith. The minister says to all present:
A
Let us remember our own baptism, and profess our faith in Jesus Christ. This is the faith of the Church, the faith into which children are baptized.
Then he asks:
Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
Minister:
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
Minister:
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
The profession of faith may also be made, if desirable, by reciting the Apostles’ Creed:
B
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty;
from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
160 Then the minister baptizes the child, saying:
N., I baptize you in the name of the Father,
He pours water upon the child.
and of the Son,
He pours water upon the child a second time.
and of the Holy Spirit.
He pours water upon the child a third time.
161 Omitting all other ceremonies, he may give the white garment to the child. The minister says:
N., you have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ.
See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. May you bring it unstained into the everlasting life of heaven.
162 The celebration concludes with the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
163 If no one there is capable of directing the prayer, any member of the Church may baptize, after reciting the Apostles’ Creed, by pouring water on the child while reciting the customary words (see no. 160, above). The creed may be omitted if necessary.
164 At the moment of death, it is sufficient for the minister to omit all other ceremonies and pour water on the child while saying the usual words (see no. 160, above). It is desirable that the minister, as far as possible, should use one or two witnesses.
