Experience with '62 baptism

[Andreas_Hofer]

With my second child on the way I’m starting to think about baptism (even though it’s still 6 mo. away) and was hoping to learn more about the traditional rite and from those who have used it and those who have attended. For our first child I opted for the new rite, not because I think it is the better of the two but because I wanted it to be accessible to the rest of my family (I wasn’t raised in the TLM). Because I think the old rite is so much richer, though, I want to give it some serious thought this time around. I’ve heard much of it can be done in the vernacular - is this true? For those who have experienced it, did the power of the texts and actions come through or is there a large danger of a quick run-through where much can go unnoticed? Did the action actually slowly progress into the church? Do the parents get to make the responses along with the godparents, or not? Are there any resources you could point me to that describe the rite other than just supplying the text and rubrics?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Patrick2340]

My last two children were baptised in the Extraordinary Form. The rite begins either outside the church or, if its too cold, in the vestibule. The priest performs some exorcisms. He places blessed salt into the mouth of the infant. The godparents carry the infant into the church, and the priest holds his stole over the baby as it enters the church to symbolize that he/she enters the church/Church under Her protection. The child is taken up to the altar and baptized there by the priest. All in all, it is a very beautiful Sacrament.

My first was baptized in the Ordinary Form. Much less symbolism, much less ceremony, and she was baptized with three other infants. None of them were baptized during Mass, although I understand that does happen at some churches. Personally, I prefer that she was baptized alone. It just seems right that you are baptized by yourself, and, in most cases, you receive Extreme Unction by yourself. So the first and last sacraments you receive are, more or less, intimate moments with your Lord.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

I would have preferred if DD had receive the EF Baptism. Hers seemed so… lacking. I know that is was valid and was beautiful, but there is so much symbolism that wasn’t there, and I missed it.
I became aware of the EF Baptism a few weeks before the Baptism itself, but her Baptism was the day after my wedding, and adding another strange thing to the weekend for Father just seemed a little cruel.
But I am definitely considering the EF for my other children.

I have read the EF Baptism in the vernacular on fisheaters.com and it sounds beautiful- Latin or No. Its seems to rely a lot on responses from the godparents, but I don’t see why the parents would not respond as well.
The EF Baptism does seem to ensure a lot more Catholicity from the godparent than the OF Baptism does.

 

[Patrick2340]

I did respond at my second child’s baptism, and Father corrected me. I suppose it depends on the priest, but our priest is from the Institute of Christ the King, and he is very rigorous with the rubrics. I personally find this to be a good thing.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

I did respond at my second child’s baptism, and Father corrected me. I suppose it depends on the priest, but our priest is from the Institute of Christ the King, and he is very rigorous with the rubrics. I personally find this to be a good thing.

I also think it’s a good thing. I found that the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius have the Rituale up on their site www.sanctamissa.org, and within the general rules it did say that there was a special rule for the US that allows all present to make the responses after a certain point, so it’s something that I would follow up. At the end of the day it won’t make the difference of whether I pick the EF or not, but it is good to know in making the decision.

Thanks, all, for you help, and anyone else feel free to add.

 

[lak611]

The child is taken up to the altar and baptized there by the priest.

My mother is the godmother for my cousin, who was baptized in 1957. The baptism took place in the baptistry, which was not in the main part of the church. My cousin was not baptized on the altar.

 

[Chatter163]

Over the last decade, I have assisted at many celebrations of baptism according to the old ritual. Most of these have included th Latin-English mixture, and it worked very well. Much of the succes depends on the individual priest, both in terms of his ritual preciseness and command of the Latin texts. He may also wish to offer some explanations about the rite. A traditional-looking church is also a major plus, as the ceremonies lose some of their important in a modern church. Indeed, some adjustments may need to be made, particularly if the font is located at the front of the church.

 

[Patrick2340]

My mother is the godmother for my cousin, who was baptized in 1957. The baptism took place in the baptistry, which was not in the main part of the church. My cousin was not baptized on the altar.

I should have said in the Sanctuary. The baptistry was off to the right of the High Altar for both baptisms. I have an annoying habit of referring to the entire Sanctuary as the altar. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[lak611]

I should have said in the Sanctuary. The baptistry was off to the right of the High Altar for both baptisms. I have an annoying habit of referring to the entire Sanctuary as the altar. Sorry for the confusion.

Ok. That helps.

 

[Leeta]

My youngest two were baptized in the Ex. Rite.
One of them was a double baptism. A friend had also just given birth and since we both needed to use the church and the priest to administer baptism, both were baptized together. the parish where the Ext. Mass was celebrated would not allow baptisms in the old rite. So our Fraternity priest had a good relationship with the pastor of a 15th century or so church not too far away who allowed the old baptism.
The godparents hold the child for the whole baptism, starting outside the church which was at St. Barbara in Stuttgart-Hofen. My son did not much like it, but that is the way it goes! His godfather had a big hairy beard which was not like Mama at all! It lasts about 40 minutes or so. Afterwards it is, at least at that church, is traditional to entrust the newly baptized child to the Blessed mother. There is a miraculous statue of the Blessed mother from the 14th century or so before which it is particularly appropriate for this consecration.

This statue used to be in the original Catholic cathedral (Stiftskirche) in Stuttgart, Germany. When the ruler of Baden-Wuerttemberg went over to the Protestants in the 1530’s or so, all the Catholics were ordered out of the city. The last Catholic priest went to the tabernacle to remove the Blessed Sacrament and ride by horseback to the nearest Catholic area-Hofen, and he is reported to have heard the Blessed Mother speak to him and say, ‘take me with my Divine Son’. So he picked the statue up and rolled it up in some carpet and placed it on the back of his horse. Afterwards many miracles occured.

Read the ritual beforehand and meditate on it. It is worth it.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

Thanks again to all. Some follow-up questions:

1. What, if any, was the mix between Latin and English? Did you provide handouts with a side-by-side for those who might not have it in their missals?
2. Did you have non-traditionalist family there as well, and if so, how did they react to the rite? Were they able to appreciate it?

After all of your good experiences I’m pretty sure I’ll be asking for it, but I’m now looking towards the strategy of presentation.

 

[Chatter163]

Thanks again to all. Some follow-up questions:

1. What, if any, was the mix between Latin and English? Did you provide handouts with a side-by-side for those who might not have it in their missals?

Yes, we created a Latin-English booklet, which was just like a missalette.

1. Did you have non-traditionalist family there as well, and if so, how did they react to the rite? Were they able to appreciate it?

Yes, most are intrigued by it. It seems very Catholic to them–one person once said, “It makes me feel as if my own chidlren were not really baptised!” A very small number did not prefer it, but they were polite about it and, oh well…Certainly, if they respect you, they should respect your preference for the rite, even if it is not their own. The booklet also contained some explanation, and the priest explained a bit at the beginning.

After all of your good experiences I’m pretty sure I’ll be asking for it, but I’m now looking towards the strategy of presentation.

 

[kleary]

The child is taken up to the altar and baptized there by the priest.

This is not entirely true…please allow me to correct this-

In the Traditional Rite of Baptism - well it ends with the baptism of the child at the baptistry in the Church itself.

The blessing of the mother and thanksgiving for safe childbirth happens at the communion rail…and the child, who had already been baptized a few minutes earlier and who is now free from all stain of original sin is then taken by the priest and laid upon the altar of sacrifice…my pastor kissed all three of my kids while he laid them on the High Altar.

This is purely an option…to have the child laid on the High Altar after he has been baptized- but NEVER before baptism and never baptized while on it.

Ken

 

[lak611]

This is not entirely true…please allow me to correct this-

In the Traditional Rite of Baptism - well it ends with the baptism of the child at the baptistry in the Church itself.

The blessing of the mother and thanksgiving for safe childbirth happens at the communion rail…and the child, who had already been baptized a few minutes earlier and who is now free from all stain of original sin is then taken by the priest and laid upon the altar of sacrifice…my pastor kissed all three of my kids while he laid them on the High Altar.

This is purely an option…to have the child laid on the High Altar after he has been baptized- but NEVER before baptism and never baptized while on it.

Ken

Thanks for the clarification. I know that my cousin (baptized in 1957) was not placed on the altar. My mother (who is her godmother) just mentioned that the other things took place in the baptism rite.