Can someone provide me with a link showing if there is a preference for Baptism during Sunday Mass

[phoage]

I am looking for some official documentation for Baptism in the US. I found nothing in the GIRM or in the Rituale Romanum. I am still searching the USCCB site but I appaerntly used a bad search string as I got over 10,000 results.

Any help will be appreciated.

Patrick
AMDG

 

[TomH1]

I shall follow this thread with interest. I cannot provide the link you requested. I do know, however, that baptism can be administered during Mass. I believe one reason for doing this is the baptised should be welcomed by the local Catholic community into that community. This is something that is much easier to do at Mass than the older custom of a more private family affair on Sunday afternoon.

 

[1ke]

Canon Law:

Can. 856 Although baptism can be celebrated on any day, it is nevertheless recommended that it be celebrated ordinarily on Sunday or, if possible, at the Easter Vigil.

It does not say baptism must be in Mass, as you can see, although it’s implied. Many large parishes have baptisms outside of Mass.

 

[BartholomewB]

I believe one reason for doing this is the baptised should be welcomed by the local Catholic community into that community.

I don’t know whether there’s anything official in print, but like @TomH1, it’s my impression that during Mass is preferred because the ceremony tends to become an event involving the whole community rather than just a private family affair.

 

[truthnlife]

As someone else posted the Code of Cannon Law only recommends Sunday or at the Easter Vigil…Sunday, even though recommended does not even imply at a Mass, but could just as easily be construed to mean on the day (whether in or outside Mass) of the Lord, marking a resurrection of sorts from certain death of sin, and the advent of an individual’s salvation through a covenant made with God.

Certainly, the idea of the community welcoming a baptized person is important, but that can be done in a separate liturgy, and not necessarily as Mass.

 

[Vico]

I am looking for some official documentation for Baptism in the US. I found nothing in the GIRM or in the Rituale Romanum. I am still searching the USCCB site but I appaerntly used a bad search string as I got over 10,000 results.

Any help will be appreciated.

Patrick
AMDG

The Rite of Baptism for Children says:

9. 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. Regulations for the celebration of baptism during the Easter Vigil or at Mass on Sunday will be set out later.

Also see: http://www.ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur610.htm

 

[Phemie]

phoage:

I am looking for some official documentation for Baptism in the US. I found nothing in the GIRM or in the Rituale Romanum. I am still searching the USCCB site but I appaerntly used a bad search string as I got over 10,000 results.

Any help will be appreciated.

Patrick
AMDG

The Rite of Baptism for Children says:

9. 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. Regulations for the celebration of baptism during the Easter Vigil or at Mass on Sunday will be set out later.

Also see: http://www.ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur610.htm

Yes, that’s what I recall from the notes at the front of our Rite of Baptism. Now it seems that “not too often” means “any time there is a baptism”.

In our parish Baptism is officially scheduled to take place at either the Saturday evening or Sunday morning Mass of the last Sunday each month. In practice it’s whenever it’s convenient for the family requesting it so we might be three months without a baptism but then have 3 Sundays in a row with Baptism during Mass.

 

[Gorgias]

In our parish Baptism is officially scheduled to take place at either the Saturday evening or Sunday morning Mass of the last Sunday each month.

I would imagine that it depends on the Mass schedule and the number of priests assigned to your parish. If he’s got another Mass to run to, right after your Mass, then it would seem that the answer is “during Mass or not at all”, right?

(On the other hand, it is possible that it’s just a prudential judgment on the part of your pastor, in which case, ya just shrug and keep on keepin’ on, no?)

 

[Phemie]

Phemie:

In our parish Baptism is officially scheduled to take place at either the Saturday evening or Sunday morning Mass of the last Sunday each month.

I would imagine that it depends on the Mass schedule and the number of priests assigned to your parish. If he’s got another Mass to run to, right after your Mass, then it would seem that the answer is “during Mass or not at all”, right?

(On the other hand, it is possible that it’s just a prudential judgment on the part of your pastor, in which case, ya just shrug and keep on keepin’ on, no?)

Neither.

Having Baptism during Mass was something that was started by a religious sister who was our administrator when we were between pastors some 18 years ago. Nobody has opted to change it. I happen to like seeing Baptism at Mass. Many fellow parishioners hate it and will avoid that Mass if they know about it in advance.

Occasionally, you will have a family who requests and has a private baptism. One such yesterday when a 6 year old child with cerebral palsy was presented by her grandmother who has just become her legal guardian. That was celebrated in the afternoon.

 

[Gorgias]

Nobody has opted to change it. I happen to like seeing Baptism at Mass. Many fellow parishioners hate it and will avoid that Mass if they know about it in advance.

Has anybody mentioned anything to your pastoral council or current priest team?

 

[Phemie]

Phemie:

Nobody has opted to change it. I happen to like seeing Baptism at Mass. Many fellow parishioners hate it and will avoid that Mass if they know about it in advance.

Has anybody mentioned anything to your pastoral council or current priest team?

I don’t know.

For the record, there is no “team”, there is a single religious missionary priest from India appointed as administrator. He might meet with the parish coordinators once in a blue moon, and with the finance council slightly more often.

 

[Diaconia]

The decision on how often baptism is celebrated during Mass reflects the diverse opinions of pastors on the question.

My previous parish had baptism once a month during Mass, three times a month after the last Mass. The preference from parents was overwhelmingly toward the after-Mass (semi-private) option.

My current parish we celebrate during Mass and rotate the Mass involved. 90% of the baptisms occur during Mass.

Obviously, Easter time should be highlighted during Masses.

Deacon Christopher

 

[JanetF]

My parish does baptisms during masses. I love it!