Baptism during Mass

[chuckhunter]

Our Priest says Infants can be baptized at the Mass their parents attend. Hopefully, this is not True.
If True, would like nice arguments against such a Distraction, pls!

 

[THurifer2]

Our Priest says Infants can be baptized at the Mass their parents attend. Hopefully, this is not True.
If True, would like nice arguments against such a Distraction, pls!

Well,

It is the norm to have a baptism during Mass at my parish. It doesn’t make it more valid but it certainly makes total sense to welcome a new member when the parish family has gathered together.
It is my opinion that baptisms SHOULD happend during mass and certainly during the Mass their parents attend.

I am guessing that most will agree with me on this one.

 

[Phemie]

Well,

It is the norm to have a baptism during Mass at my parish. It doesn’t make it more valid but it certainly makes total sense to welcome a new member when the parish family has gathered together.
It is my opinion that baptisms SHOULD happend during mass and certainly during the Mass their parents attend.

I am guessing that most will agree with me on this one.

We also always have them during Mass. Usually the Sunday Mass (either the anticipated or the morning one) but for valid reasons we have had them during a weekday Mass and when that happens we make sure a few choir members attend so that we can have the litany of the saints chanted as well as the hymn and acclamations. I see no reason to have it any other way. Why would anyone consider a Baptism a distraction???

 

[Leopard]

It is highly appropriate for the Sacraments (with the possible exception of Reconciliation) to be celebrated within the context of the Mass. As regards Baptism, the model for this is the Easter Vigil Mass in which those entering the Church are Baptized, Confirmed, and/or receive first Holy Communion.

 

[benedictgal]

Our Priest says Infants can be baptized at the Mass their parents attend. Hopefully, this is not True.
If True, would like nice arguments against such a Distraction, pls!

Well, the Holy Father did baptize 13 infants during the Mass for the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord on January 13th. You can’t get any higher authority on the matter than Peter himself. Incidentally, that was one set of well-behaved babies. Nary an infant cried while the Holy Father poured water on their heads.

 

[drafdog]

Do you want us to stop having weddings during Mass as well?

Matthew

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Our Priest says Infants can be baptized at the Mass their parents attend. Hopefully, this is not True.
If True, would like nice arguments against such a Distraction, pls!

I don’t understand your question? Infants can be Baptized at any parish Mass, It does not need to be the one their parents usually attend. Obviously the parents need to be there for the Baptism.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

Our Priest says Infants can be baptized at the Mass their parents attend. Hopefully, this is not True.
If True, would like nice arguments against such a Distraction, pls!

It is the norm at more parishes than not. All parishes allow it during or after mass, it is up to the parents to decide which works best for them. I enjoy baptisms during mass, they are an enlightening experience.

 

[THurifer2]

I am just sooo happy we all get along! Hey we agree…

Kumbaya…

 

[ricmat]

It is the norm at more parishes than not. All parishes allow it during or after mass, it is up to the parents to decide which works best for them. I enjoy baptisms during mass, they are an enlightening experience.

At our current parish, we have dozens of baptisms per week, and not that many Masses, so at this parish, they are all done outside of Mass.

But on a personal note, our first child was to be baptized before my wife became Catholic (at a previous parish). She didn’t speak English well, and doesn’t like being in the limelight. The pastor insisted that the baptism be done during Mass, and would not allow us to have our child baptized outside of Mass. When we told him our concerns, he said “If you don’t like the way we do things here, go somewhere else.” Luckily our town had another parish, and we went “somewhere else.”

 

[Atlanta_Jen]

Well,

It is the norm to have a baptism during Mass at my parish. It doesn’t make it more valid but it certainly makes total sense to welcome a new member when the parish family has gathered together.
It is my opinion that baptisms SHOULD happend during mass and certainly during the Mass their parents attend.

I am guessing that most will agree with me on this one.

I absolutely agree. Baptism is a huge deal! Why on earth shouldn’t it be open to the whole church community? Sure, it means 5 extra minutes added on to the {GASP} hour or so service, but it’s a very important moment for the new member of the community and the family. No matter how many times I see a baptism at Mass, I get choked up. My sister’s children (one of them, my Godchild) was baptised after Mass in an assembly line ceremony with 5 other infants. To me, that was so impersonal, and I was actually sad for her. I’m thankful that my own three children had their important moments shared by our faith community.

 

[cameron_lansing]

The recommendation for Sunday as the day for baptism is mentioned in canon 856 but without a recommendation that it be within Mass or apart from it.

Although baptism may be celebrated on any day, it is recommended that ordinarily it be celebrated on a Sunday or if possible at the Easter Vigil.

Number 9 of the introduction for the Rite of Baptism of Children says:

To bring out the paschal character of baptism, it is recommended that the sacrament be celebrated during the Easter Vigil or on Sunday, when the Church commemorates the Lord’s resurrection. On Sunday, baptism may be celebrated even during Mass, so that the entire community may be present and the relationship between baptism and eucharist may be clearly seen; but this should not be done too often.

The Rite gives no explanation for not doing this too often, but it is reasonable to surmise that the addition of numerous baptisms on a customary basis during Mass might become somewhat burdensome and hence the caution. Prudential judgment is required.

From my experience in baptizing infants outside of Mass, the rites require a good 35 minutes for even one baptism, but often closer to 50 minutes so that it is conferred reverently and with appropriate catechesis. Other ministers of baptism may have different views on that though.

Since the parents are the ones who present their children for baptism and have an integral role in the rite (indicating the name of the child, asking for baptism, signing the child, being catechized about their responsibilities, rejecting sin and renewing the profession of faith, expressing consent for baptism), it seems that their presence is to be assumed.

 

[Phemie]

Unfortunately, my experience with my 3 children, who were all baptized outside of Mass, is that baptism took about 15 minutes (ours was the only baptism at the youngest & oldest children’s but one of at least 5 at the middle child’s), no readings, no intercessions and certainly no litany of the saints, no homily, no catechesis.

But at least I was there, unlike my mom who never saw any of us baptized. I was at my baby brother’s baptism (I was 5 and still remember) but Mom wasn’t.

I think if baptisms are going to take place outside of Mass they need to be a well advertised celebration with all the bells and whistles, choir, readers etc.

 

[rayne89]

Our Priest says Infants can be baptized at the Mass their parents attend. Hopefully, this is not True.
If True, would like nice arguments against such a Distraction, pls!

Since when are sacraments distractions? We often have infant baptisms during the Mass and infact our daughter was baptised during a regular Sunday Mass.
I can’t imagine why someone would be opposed to baptisms.

 

[Phemie]

Note that the OP has never come back to argue the point. Troll?

 

[TMC]

Note that the OP has never come back to argue the point. Troll?

No, I don’t think so. I think the question was not so much whether there should or could be a Mass, as whether it should be done during whatever Mass the parents normally attend. So if you are in the habit of attending early Mass on Sunday and appreciate that it is quiet and solemn and not a bawling babes there, you might not want your normal Mass routine changed by a gaggle of family members and a big celebratory Sacrament.

I have belonged to several parishes and chapel communities through the years. Some held Baptisms on Saturdays outside of Mass. Most had baptisms at the ‘main’ Mass on Sunday. My current parish has them at 9:00 Mass on Sunday, and tries to do two or three at a time (or we would be having them every Sunday). My kids groan when they see the roped off front pews because it means we can’t sit in our normal spot, Mass will be bit longer than usual, and crying babies are virtually guaranteed.

So I think the OP’s point was that Baptisms should be done at a time and place that does not disrupt the ability of the rest of the parish to worship solemnly. I understand that sentiment, but would respectfully disagree. It would be nice to announce such things the previous Sunday (our parish is no where near well-enough organized to do that) so that those that want to can go to a different Mass.

 

[chuckhunter]

Traditionally, Baptisms are done on a Saturday which allows time for the family to take photos, etc. Baptism during Sun Mass takes up to one Rosary and Chaplet of D.M., about 17 minutes. I come to Mass to Adore God and NOT participate in a communal thinge. It is absurd to have Baptism during Mass b/c it is Distracting from the PRIMARY REASON for coming to Sun Mass; My children do not need any more reasons to be distracted and resent going to church; There are a good handful of us like-minded who resent being Distracted; Having the Mass-time extended; There are NO photo ops when a Baptism is performed during a Mass. The priest cannot hold the child for a photo b/c he must return to the Service…
If a priest is too lazy to do it on a SAT, pls announce or have a certain time of the month to Baptize or the Easter Vigil, etc. so we who object can attend a Mass that is wholly devoted to God.

 

[Jennifer_J]

Traditionally, Baptisms are done on a Saturday which allows time for the family to take photos, etc. Baptism during Sun Mass takes up to one Rosary and Chaplet of D.M., about 17 minutes. I come to Mass to Adore God and NOT participate in a communal thinge. It is absurd to have Baptism during Mass b/c it is Distracting from the PRIMARY REASON for coming to Sun Mass; My children do not need any more reasons to be distracted and resent going to church; There are a good handful of us like-minded who resent being Distracted; Having the Mass-time extended; There are NO photo ops when a Baptism is performed during a Mass. The priest cannot hold the child for a photo b/c he must return to the Service…
If a priest is too lazy to do it on a SAT, pls announce or have a certain time of the month to Baptize or the Easter Vigil, etc. so we who object can attend a Mass that is wholly devoted to God.

Wow, lazy priests, huh? Well, our parish has set Sundays that Baptisms are done. It’s not secret. I’m sorry that you are so put out by a SACRAMENT of the Church. For what it’s worth, my children LOVE to watch Baptisms, even if Mass is a tad longer. How wonderful to witness a baby becoming a Child of God. There is no document that says the rosary or DM must be said before Mass, at least from what I know. They are private prayers. However, a baptism is a public sacrament. As for the photos, who needs a photo op for a baptism? I take pics of my children in their gowns and after Mass with the priest if their is time.

I guess I just don’t see where you are coming from

 

[Ilroy]

Traditionally, Baptisms are done on a Saturday which allows time for the family to take photos, etc. Baptism during Sun Mass takes up to one Rosary and Chaplet of D.M., about 17 minutes. I come to Mass to Adore God and NOT participate in a communal thinge. It is absurd to have Baptism during Mass b/c it is Distracting from the PRIMARY REASON for coming to Sun Mass; My children do not need any more reasons to be distracted and resent going to church; There are a good handful of us like-minded who resent being Distracted; Having the Mass-time extended; There are NO photo ops when a Baptism is performed during a Mass. The priest cannot hold the child for a photo b/c he must return to the Service…
If a priest is too lazy to do it on a SAT, pls announce or have a certain time of the month to Baptize or the Easter Vigil, etc. so we who object can attend a Mass that is wholly devoted to God.

So, bringing the newest member into the BODY OF CHRIST is not wholly devoted to GOD?!?!?! THAT my friend makes no sense.
And, participating in Mass IS a communal thing…always has been…read Acts if you doubt this.

 

[Phemie]

If a priest is too lazy to do it on a SAT, pls announce or have a certain time of the month to Baptize or the Easter Vigil, etc. so we who object can attend a Mass that is wholly devoted to God.

Because heeding Jesus’ commandment to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, renewing our baptismal promises & welcoming a new soul into the Catholic Christian community is sooo not devoted to God