Diocesan Guidelines for Holy Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation, Reception & Reaffirmation
IntroductionFormation in faith involves the whole person – body, mind, heart, and soul. Formation in the Christian faith takes place through worship, reflection on scripture, prayer, and ministry in daily life. Faith formation happens in different ways for each individual. It is a lifelong process both before and after baptism rather than a series of stages in faith development. “Baptism signifies and imparts the outreaching love of the Father, restoring persons to the intention of the Creator. It unites persons with Christ the Redeemer, and places them within the redemption-bearing community, his Body. It is the seal in the Holy Spirit of the new life, present and to come. From the side of the human response, Baptism enacts and shapes the entry on the life of faith, obedience, and expectation. It is the sacrament of conversion, expressing a new mind, a redirection, the rejection of the tyranny of sin and the commitment to righteousness. It is the inauguration of a life renewed and set free.” Daniel B. Stevick, Baptismal Moments; Baptismal Meanings (New York: The Church Hymnal Corporation, 1987) Holy Baptism"Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism in indissoluble." (1979 Book of Common Prayer p. 298) Baptism stands at the center of the initiation process in the Episcopal Church. This is especially expressed when baptism occurs at the Vigil of Easter when the relationship of baptism to the death and resurrection of Christ is reinforced. The proclamation of the history of salvation during the Vigil of Easter leads the community to the font where new brothers and sisters are born of water and the word, and the baptized affirm their baptismal promises. From the font, the entire community gathers at the table to celebrate the communion. Holy Baptism is a powerful and radical act in the life of the individual, his or her sponsors and family, and the Christian community. Weighty responsibilities are laid on them all by the sweeping promises to which the words of the Prayer Book commit them:
Parishes desiring to celebrate this sacrament with integrity - to tell the truth in speaking the words of this liturgy - will show a strong commitment to nurturing individuals and families through the initiation process into full membership and continuing growth and service in Christ. Occasions and Ceremonial In addition to the Great Vigil of Easter, The Book of Common Prayer recommends as other occasions when Baptism is especially suitable: the Day of Pentecost, All Saints' Day (or the Sunday after All Saints'), the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and the occasion of the Bishop's visitation. Baptism is normally celebrated at the parish's main Sunday Eucharist, in the presence of the congregation, which promises to nurture the candidates as they continue their Christian life. Water is the visible sign of baptism. Baptism by immersion makes a clear connection between Christ's death and burial and our burial in Christ by baptism. When immersion is not used, ample water should be poured into the font immediately before the Thanksgiving over the Water, and should be freely poured onto the candidate's head. The use of other signs, such as candles, white garments and chrism, should not be such as to obscure the centrality of the water. At Baptism, when the Bishop is present to preside, preach, and celebrate, a priest baptizes the candidates and the Bishop seals each one of them, with laying on of hands, and using chrism if desired. In the absence of the Bishop, a priest celebrates and presides at Baptism, and may use chrism previously consecrated by the Bishop. The rite of baptism cannot be repeated for a person from any Christian tradition who has been baptized with water in the name of the Trinity, regardless of age, or method or circumstances of baptism. When there is doubt as to whether a person has been so baptized, Conditional Baptism may be used (Prayer Book, p. 313). Private baptisms are reserved for life-threatening emergencies. In such emergencies, any baptized person may administer baptism. Emergency baptism should be promptly reported to the parish. If the person so baptized recovers, the baptism is recognized at a later public celebration of Holy Baptism, with the person so baptized, and the sponsors, taking part in everything except the administration of the water (Prayer Book, p. 314). This practice recognizes and celebrates a valid baptism, which for unavoidable emergency reasons took place away from the presence of the worshiping community. It is not to be used for any other reason. Candidates Holy Baptism may be administered to persons of any age. Adult candidates are baptized after an extended period of inquiry, self-examination, preparation and prayer, supported by the parish community. Infant candidates for baptism are normally the children of participating members of the parish, who will be nurtured within this community of faith. Adults who are not active members of the congregation, and who seek baptism for infants or children, should be invited to share in the life and worship of the congregation and in a process of instruction and formation, which will culminate in the baptism of the child or children. It may also be appropriate for active worshiping members of a congregation to present for baptism the child of a family not otherwise actively connected with the church, provided that such sponsors are serious in their intention to see that the child will be nurtured in the community of Christian faith and that the parents actively support their intention to bring the child regularly for worship, instruction and fellowship. Baptism is not appropriate apart from life within the community of the faithful. Baptism lays responsibilities not only on the candidates and sponsors but also on the parish community, which must be given reasonable opportunity to fulfill the obligation it undertakes to "support these persons in their life in Christ." All requests for baptism put to a priest by anyone should be taken seriously and treated pastorally. A refusal to accede to a particular request for baptism, or an insistence that the family wait for a later time, are legitimate pastoral responses when they are made with clear and loving expression of the Church's understanding of Holy Baptism, and with willingness to engage in patient and candid dialogue. The building up of the parish community through the careful and faithful administration of Holy Baptism is a pastoral concern of the highest order. Persons who are not members of the congregation and are seeking baptism for themselves or their children, are encouraged to view baptism as the climax of a process of exploration, renewal and growth, rather than as a sign of enrollment or intention or as a prerequisite in the parish's life or educational offerings. Use of the office of Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child (Prayer Book, p. 439) is encouraged, and may be especially welcome on occasions when baptism is not considered appropriate or will be deferred for some time. Because of the obligation which the worshiping community undertakes to support the candidates in their life as Christians, it is desirable that infants, especially, be baptized in the parish community where the family are active members - as opposed, for example, to a parish to which the parents are attached by family ties or a history of past membership, however meaningful. Baptism looks to the future rather than the past, and "going home" to a former parish to baptize a child is generally inappropriate. Sponsors One or more baptized persons, who are active members of a Christian congregation, sponsor every candidate for Holy Baptism, of whatever age. Sponsors represent and interpret the community of faith to the candidate and, in turn, vouch for and interpret the candidate to the community. Candidates are best sponsored by members within the community; it is desirable that at least one sponsor be a member of the congregation in which the candidate will be baptized, who will take an active part in pre-baptismal preparation and in supporting the candidate in his or her growth in faith and service within the congregation. In the case of adults, it is particularly appropriate if the sponsors are chosen from among the people who guided the individual to consider baptism. In the case of children, parents are included among the sponsors. The number of sponsors, for either adults or children, is not prescribed or limited. Sponsors should be chosen with the advice and guidance of the priest. Sponsors of adults and older children present their candidates, thereby endorsing them and expressing their intention to support them in their life in Christ. Sponsors of infants and young children, commonly called "godparents," have an additional role: they take vows on behalf of the candidate and also promise in their own right to see that the child is brought up in the Christian faith, and to help the child grow into the full stature of Christ. Sponsors who are relatives and intimate friends have a distinctive role to play in the nurture of the child; sponsors who share daily parish life with the newly baptized have a different and equally important role. "Adults and older children" are defined in the rubrics on p. 301 as "candidates who are able to answer for themselves" while "infants and younger children" are those who are "unable to answer for themselves." Both are presented by their sponsors. Candidates who speak for themselves are asked, "Do you desire to be baptized?" to which they reply, “I do." Thereafter, they make their own responses and vows, and their sponsors stand as witnesses, speaking only when the whole congregation speaks . Preparation Normally, instruction and spiritual preparation precede every baptism. The preparation process may be adapted in form and content to the circumstances and needs of the candidates and sponsors, but typically involves instruction and training in the following areas:
When the candidates are children, the preparation process also explores issues related to Christian family life, parenting, and faith development and the nurture of children in the Christian community. Sponsors of adults normally participate in the entire sequence of preparation along with the candidates. Parents and sponsors of infants also take part to as great an extent as possible. It is desirable that qualified laypersons assist in leading the preparation sessions. Ample time needs to be allowed before the schedule dates of baptism for the preparation process to be carried out with integrity. For candidates (or in the case of infants, their parents & sponsors) who will be baptized at the Vigil of Easter, Lent provides a six-week period ideally suited as an intensive period of preparation for baptism. During the Lenten season, the gospel readings for the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays set forth strong baptismal images. The first Sunday in Advent for those to be baptized on the Baptism of Our Lord, or on the Sunday nearest Holy Cross Day for those to be baptized on All Saints Day as well as the Easter season for baptism on the Feast of Pentecost are other times for Baptismal preparation. At some specified date before the baptismal ceremony, the names of those who will be baptized, and the names of their sponsors, are published in the parish bulletin, so that the congregation may support them in prayer and fellowship, and they are prayed for by name at the Prayers of the People. When appropriate, formal enrollment of candidates may take place at the Sunday Eucharist, using or adapting the forms for the Catechumenate in the Book of Occasional Services, pp. 112-125. A period of final baptismal preparation precedes the celebration of baptism, reviewing the order of service as well as the logistical arrangements that are particular for each congregation is essential. Continued growth in faith and understanding is the responsibility of all the baptized. After the baptism, candidates and sponsors are urged to make use of parish educational programs and other opportunities to mature as Christians. It is desirable that those involved in pre-baptismal preparation continue to meet together occasionally after the celebration of baptism, to continue support of the candidates and sponsors and assist in their incorporation into the life of the church. Deep and intensive preparation of candidates for baptism implies renewal and growth throughout the parish community. In order for there to be adult candidates for baptism, the parish must address itself to the work of evangelism through effort, training and prayer. In order for there to be candidates for infant baptism, the parish must be open to the presence and gifts of children and prepared to nurture and support parents and families. In order for baptismal preparation to have integrity, those in the parish who are already baptized must exhibit awareness and understanding of the obligations of their baptism and model the manner of life to which the parish is calling its candidates. Resources for Baptism PDF file The Holy EucharistCommunion of the BaptizedHoly Baptism is full initiation into the life of the Church. Newly baptized persons enter into all privileges and responsibilities of discipleship, which they will appropriate in many different ways as they mature in the faith. Thus, the newly baptized, of whatever age, are entitled to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church, and should receive Holy Communion, beginning on the occasion of their baptism and continuing regularly thereafter. Postponing a baptized child's admission to Communion is anomalous in the light of the Church's understanding of baptism as complete incorporation. The meaning of the Eucharistic feast is accessible to children, as to adults, in deep and articulate ways. As the regular rite of nourishment of all the baptized, the Eucharist expresses the fullness of Christ's Body only when all members gather to share in the gifts of his Body and Blood. The use of any rite or ceremonial of admission to Communion should be avoided completely, even for children who are in fact coming to the Table for the first time. Rites of First Communion with initiatory overtones and trappings undermine the centrality and completeness of Holy Baptism and distort the meaning of the Eucharist by an undue focus on the first time of reception. Holy Baptism is the only prerequisite for participation in the Lord's Supper. Infants may receive Communion by intinction – the parent or accompanying adult taking a small fragment of bread, dipping it in the wine, and placing it in the baby's mouth – or in one kind only. From the age of one or two, most children are capable of receiving bread and wine in the same manner as adults. The Prayer Book enjoins all who come to the Lord's Table to examine their lives, repent of their sins, and be in love and charity with all people. Parents and sponsors have the primary role in helping their children grow into conscious and active participation within the Eucharistic liturgy. In addition, parish education programs, and the faithful celebration of the Liturgy of the Word, should help communicants of all ages take part fully in the parish's worship, and approach the altar with love and awe. When children meet for Sunday School or nursery care during the first portion of the liturgy, their weekly education program serves for them as the Liturgy of the Word, and should therefore contain as many as possible of those elements (scripture, praise, intercessory prayer, and repentance) which will place their participation in the Liturgy of the Table in its full context. It is expected that all children will participate in the Holy Communion portion of the liturgy and that educational programming will not interfere with their ability to participate fully. Any person who has been baptized with water, in the Name of the Trinity, regardless of age, denomination, or method of baptismal administration, is welcome to receive the Holy Communion (in accordance with the national canons) in any Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Connecticut. Resources for Eucharistic Formation PDF file Affirmation of Baptism:
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