Baptisms During the Mass

[Phemie]

He is correct. And he is the pastor.

Yes, he’s the pastor and I’m not about to argue with him.

That doesn’t mean that I’ll agree that minimizing everything to avoid having Mass last an hour rather than 50 minutes is correct, particularly when there is no other Mass to worry about.

 

[ThundersnowIV]

Yes, he’s the pastor and I’m not about to argue with him.

That doesn’t mean that I’ll agree that minimizing everything to avoid having Mass last an hour rather than 50 minutes is correct, particularly when there is no other Mass to worry about.

The Mass being long is not the issue.

 

[babochka]

The Mass being long is not the issue.

Are you also opposed to the practice of baptizing converts at the Easter Vigil because that detracts from the Eucharist?

 

[ConfusedLucy]

Agree with this. I don’t think it happens in my parish even once a month at the Noon mass. As far as making plans after mass, due to various other unexpected extensions of the mass time I never make plans to meet anyone until at last 1 1/2 hours after mass starts, between additional funding requests throughout the year one never knows if mass will last an hour or an hour and 15, so why risk it. Even better, I’ll invite whoever I’m meeting to go to Mass with me and problem solved

While Mass may not be about Baptism, Baptism is a sacrament of the faith and is a time for the parish to welcome new members into the community so I’m fine with having them during mass. Our priest doesn’t let the baptism take away from the main reason we are there.

None of my guests ever want to go to mass although I do keep asking.

 

[ThundersnowIV]

Are you also opposed to the practice of baptizing converts at the Easter Vigil because that detracts from the Eucharist?

Not at all. That is a special and prescribed time for baptisms of converts. And of course… that is only for those that have never been baptized at all using the Trinitarian formula. That’s quite rare. Therefore actual baptisms during the Easter Vigil are not typical. Though converts are received into the Church.

Do I detect a bit of sarcasm?

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Not at all. That is a special and prescribed time for baptisms of converts. And of course… that is only for those that have never been baptized at all using the Trinitarian formula. That’s quite rare. Therefore actual baptisms during the Easter Vigil are not typical. Though converts are received into the Church.

Do I detect a bit of sarcasm?

Baptisms may not be “typical” at your Easter Vigil, but it is not rare by any means, especially now. More and more young adults have never been Baptised, so we, at least in my area are seeing many more Catechumenates that we are candidates.

And, FWIW, the Easter Vigil should not be the place where Catholic reverts get Confirmed. Even most mainline Protestants can be received into the Church without going through RCIA. Unfortunately, in the US, RCIA is not always about Catechumenates, which is what it is supposed to be.

 

[SMHW]

Not at all. That is a special and prescribed time for baptisms of converts. And of course… that is only for those that have never been baptized at all using the Trinitarian formula. That’s quite rare. Therefore actual baptisms during the Easter Vigil are not typical. Though converts are received into the Church.

Do I detect a bit of sarcasm?

You receive converts into the Church at the Easter Vigil?

We used to do that but we now try to limit the Easter Vigil to adult baptisms. Of course we make exceptions for cases such as multiple family members being received into the Church where some are already baptized and some aren’t.

We try to receive baptized converts into the Church on Sundays or other Solemnities.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

You receive converts into the Church at the Easter Vigil?

We used to do that but we now try to limit the Easter Vigil to adult baptisms. Of course we make exceptions for cases such as multiple family members being received into the Church where some are already baptized and some aren’t.

We try to receive baptized converts into the Church on Sundays or other Solemnities.

This is what we are trying to do in my diocese as well.

 

[babochka]

Not at all. That is a special and prescribed time for baptisms of converts. And of course… that is only for those that have never been baptized at all using the Trinitarian formula. That’s quite rare. Therefore actual baptisms during the Easter Vigil are not typical. Though converts are received into the Church.

Do I detect a bit of sarcasm?

No, not at all (on the sarcasm).

You argue that having baptisms at Mass detracts from the purpose of the Mass, but on the biggest feast of the year, the Church actually prescribes baptisms during the Mass and at other times of the year, there are specific provisions for baptism during the Mass. You do not seem to hold the same opinion as the Church on this matter.

Baptism on Easter Vigil are quite common in the parishes with which I am familiar, thanks be to God.

 

[babochka]

My parish is a bit different because we are a Byzantine Catholic parish and we don’t do baptism during the Divine Liturgy, but immediately preceding it. We start the baptism at the time that the Divine Liturgy would normally start, and the transition from Baptism to Divine Liturgy is seamless. It isn’t clear to most observers when the baptism ends and the Divine Liturgy begins. The whole thing adds about 45 minutes to an already long liturgy. My parish wouldn’t have it any other way. We know each other and rejoice when a new baby is brought into the family of God. We would think it strange if someone wanted to schedule a baptism at any other time. It can probably be off-putting to an unprepared visitor who doesn’t know that he or she will be in church for 2+ hours, though. Our tiny parish has 3 or 4 baptisms a year

 

[ThundersnowIV]

You receive converts into the Church at the Easter Vigil?

We used to do that but we now try to limit the Easter Vigil to adult baptisms. Of course we make exceptions for cases such as multiple family members being received into the Church where some are already baptized and some aren’t.

We try to receive baptized converts into the Church on Sundays or other Solemnities.

I have two erroneous posts to me. Where did I ever mention reverts?

 

[ThundersnowIV]

No, not at all (on the sarcasm).

You argue that having baptisms at Mass detracts from the purpose of the Mass, but on the biggest feast of the year, the Church actually prescribes baptisms during the Mass and at other times of the year, there are specific provisions for baptism during the Mass. You do not seem to hold the same opinion as the Church on this matter.

Baptism on Easter Vigil are quite common in the parishes with which I am familiar, thanks be to God.

Yes I do hold the same opinion. It’s up to the priest.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

I have two erroneous posts to me. Where did I ever mention reverts?

You made a statement that most people in RCIA are converts from another Christian denomination where their Baptisms are accepted by the Church. Those are not the people who are “supposed” to be in RCIA. Neither are Catholic adults who never finished their initiation sacraments.

RCIA is supposed to be for unbaptised adults, not a catch-all program for anyone wanting to join the Catholic church. or complete their initiation.

 

[babochka]

Yes I do hold the same opinion. It’s up to the priest.

I’m sorry. I misunderstood your posts as stating that you were opposed to baptisms during Mass because they distract from the Mass. I just re-read them and saw that such is not your position.

Of course, having a baptism at Mass highlights the connection between Baptism and the Eucharist.

 

[otjm]

This isn’t about the minimum. And who are you to judge people’s intentions?

The Mass is about the Eucharist. The Mass can take all day for that!

I have no idea what you mean by “This isn’t about the minimum”.

I don’t have to judge people’s intentions’ they open their mouths and do a mighty fine job of it on their own. I have heard far more than necessary the belly aching that goes on if Mass runs anything over what they think it should. Golly gee, my apologies for a Mass running so long that your way more important activities are impinged upon! I mean, "c’mon, we said “hi, Jesus! Isn’t that enough?”

I have heard people complain about Mass running too long, and asked them basically “tell me more” and they proceed to do so with vehemence.

Me judge? Nope - they do it chapter, line and verse.

 

[ThundersnowIV]

I have no idea what you mean by “This isn’t about the minimum”.

I don’t have to judge people’s intentions’ they open their mouths and do a mighty fine job of it on their own. I have heard far more than necessary the belly aching that goes on if Mass runs anything over what they think it should. Golly gee, my apologies for a Mass running so long that your way more important activities are impinged upon! I mean, "c’mon, we said “hi, Jesus! Isn’t that enough?”

I have heard people complain about Mass running too long, and asked them basically “tell me more” and they proceed to do so with vehemence.

Me judge? Nope - they do it chapter, line and verse.

I don’t care how long Mass is for the right reason. Baptism isn’t one of them. At my parish Mass is longer than an hour. The priest has a good and often long homily. The Eucharistic prayer is rarlely #2…shortest. That’s all I will say to someone who appears to be suffering from a bit of self righteousness.

 

[babochka]

I don’t care how long Mass is for the right reason. Baptism isn’t one of them. At my parish Mass is longer than an hour. The priest has a good and often long homily. The Eucharistic prayer is rarlely #2…shortest. That’s all I will say to someone who appears to be suffering from a bit of self righteousness.

I’m kind of confused. What are your objections to having baptisms during Mass, using the proper rite?

You say that the focus of the Mass is the Eucharist, and of course, you are right. But you don’t mind a long homily. I’m guessing that you don’t mind the longer options of scripture readings being chosen when there is an option. I think what you object because the baptism detracts from the purpose of the Mass, right? But is it the baptism itself during Mass, an approved rite of the Church, or the behavior of parents and others during the baptisms?

 

[otjm]

I don’t care how long Mass is for the right reason. Baptism isn’t one of them. At my parish Mass is longer than an hour. The priest has a good and often long homily. The Eucharistic prayer is rarlely #2…shortest. That’s all I will say to someone who appears to be suffering from a bit of self righteousness.

Wow - that is cool - the pot calls the kettle black!

Me? i just follow the Magisterium rathervthan my own opinion.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

I do not consider myself a bad Catholic for having commitments in addition to mass, for being supportive to my family and friends, treating people with respect and trying to use my time wisely.

I don’t mind long masses, I actually prefer the full Sunday over the shortened Saturday evening, but it is not a realistic expectation for someone to block off an additional hour after mass just in case. It is polite to give notice.

 

[otjm]

I do not consider myself a bad Catholic for having commitments in addition to mass, for being supportive to my family and friends, treating people with respect and trying to use my time wisely.

I don’t mind long masses, I actually prefer the full Sunday over the shortened Saturday evening, but it is not a realistic expectation for someone to block off an additional hour after mass just in case. It is polite to give notice.

I don’t think anyone is accusing you of being a bad Catholic.

For every Sunday in which there is a baptism, the announcement is in the bulletin the week before. We have 4 Masses; one Saturday night, 3 on Sunday, and the baptisms are not always done at the same time schedule - but the Mass at which there is going to be a baptism is in the schedule.

If you are having 2 baptisms (or more) at the Mass you usually go to, then you should either have a heads-up that it is coming - allowing you a week ahead to plan a different time for guests to arrive, or allowing you to go to a different Mass.

So the issue is not exactly what one might call complicated; leaving the question of whether the timing is the issue, or you just don’t like baptisms at Mass.

Or maybe your pastor plays a guessing game with your parish and never gives a heads-up,