Baptism Customary — Easter Version (2022)

Customary for Baptisms (from Easter Sunday 2022)

Christian Initiation

During the Presentation and Examination of the Candidate(s), the altar party remains formed up as usual around the bottom step of the altar. After the Presider invites the Presentation of the candidates,

• Sponsors and Candidates (and their families) come to the chancel step at the center aisle (standing in “choir” position, facing one another)

• The Presider proceeds with the Examination after all have been presented and then leads the people in Baptismal Covenant

• At the words, “Let us now pray for this person who is about to receive…”

• Presider steps aside and hands presider book to EM1

• Thurifer lays on more incense and moves toward gap in communion rail.

• Assisting Priest collects the paschal candle, moves toward gap in communion rail and, led by the Thurifer, begins the procession to the font

• EM1 chants the Prayers for the Candidates while all process to the font

• Procession order: Thurifer, Assisting Priest (with paschal candle), baptismal candidates, sponsors and family, MC, and EM2 (who should invite any other family members not already standing), EM1, Presider

• Placement in narthex:

EM2

Asst Priest/PC

Thurifer

Candidate

Family/Sponsor

MC

Presider

EM1

• EM1 continues to hold the Presider’s book, and the Presider chants the concluding collect of the Prayers of the Candidates

• MC hands Presider ewer of water at the words, “We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism…”;

• At the words, “Now sanctify this water we pray you,” (three times, each time escalating in tone), the Presider dips the Paschal Candle into the water

• After the words “…risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior,” Thurifer hands thurible to Presider and they cense font and water.

• At the conclusion of the Thanksgiving Over the Water,

• EM2 and Presider assist Baptismal Candidate into the pool

• Presider baptizes

• EM2 assists the newly baptized to dry off

• Candidate goes to bathroom to change clothes??

• MC hands the Presider a baptismal candle, who then lights it from the paschal candle and hands it to the newly baptized

• In full view of the congregation, the Presider anoints the newly baptized, saying “*N., *you are sealed by the Holy Spirit…” and then prays, “Heavenly Father, we thank you…”

• After the prayer, the Presider invites the assembly to welcome the newly baptized

• Note: ensure the invitation and response are printed in the bulletin just before the peace (BCP 308) -

“Let us welcome…” / “We receive you into…”

The Asperges and Litany of Saints follows,

• MC takes Presider’s book

• EM1 fetches bowl and aspergillum from table on east side of narthex

• Presider fills bowl from font

• EM1 carries bowl and Presider sprinkles the people

The members of the altar party return to the chancel and form up in normal positions (MC should hand Presider’s book back to Presider when all have returned), while the newly baptized, their families and sponsors return to their seats.