Adult baptism

[Br.Rich_SFO]

We had an interesting experience at our parish. Our baptism was conducted by immersion. The mother and her three children went in individually. They wore brown robes and crocs. Our pastor did something rather strange in that he removed his chasuble and stole.

After each had been baptized, they went into the area where the sacristy is to change. Unfortunately, it took a verrrrry long time, about 15-20 minutes. The choir ran out of versers of the hymn. Finally, my pastor had to send the husband/father to check on the family. When they finally emerged in their white outfits, my pastor proceeded to continue with the Rite. He confirmed everyone (including the husband), but, he did so without his stole and chasuble. Then, he convalidated the marraige of the mother and fahter while remaining sans stole and chasuble.

I personally am opposed to this idea of the minister getting in the Baptismal font. If we need to do this then we need to forget about the immersion method. A priest should always have his priestly vestment, the stole on for the celebration of Sacraments. Why was there no others and the husband/father there to help dress the children? That is most likely what took up most of the time.

 

[puzzleannie]

At our church the adults who are to be baptized wear bown robes which represent “sack cloths and ashes”. They have shorts and tops under the robes because we use immursion. They are given a white robe and then leave to change into their “Sunday Best.” under the white robes. The symbols are all there and the congreagation sees the transformation.

we do the same, but the white garment is a large bib that goes over the shoulders, hangs to the waist, embroidered with a white cross (made my altar society ladies). This goes on over the first communion dress or church clothes, and also takes care of any modesty issues I missed. I do check hemlines the week before Easter, but there is always somebody whose ideals of modesty do not match mine. oh well.

I seat the children to be baptized in front, and also make sure there is an adult (same sex) to help the child dress and that the sponsor stays with him, and brings him to the back of church afterward. I also make sure there is a designated adult, not a parent or sponsor, to care for babies and younger children, so the adults are ready and attentive at the key moments. We lost a sponsor someplace so deacon handed the candle to the last candidate. turned out to be a diaper change emergency, which a grandparent should have handled. the only hitch to an otherwise beautiful and flawless Vigil.

Welcome Home to all!