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Table of Contents of the Order of Baptism of Children

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September 27, 2020

Interesting items to note and some thoughts about the new Order of Baptism of Children (OBC) – see below:

  • Baptisms Outside of Mass are given chapter numbers.
  • The “norm” for many parishes, baptism during Mass, is an “appendix.”
  • Certain elements are celebrated when more than one child is baptized (Ephphatha).
  • Catechists may make the “Sign of the Cross” on a child during the introductory rites but may not bless at other times in other liturgies of the Church.
  • A stress upon the importance for the “Glory to God” during the Mass.
  • When the OBC is celebrated outside of Mass, which the ritual favors, there is no “Sign of the Cross” to begin the ritual.
  • When the OBC is celebrated outside of Mass, they are called the original “Prayer of the Faithful” and not called “Universal Prayers.”

Table of Contents

Order of Baptism of Children

Compiled with commentary by John Thomas Lane SSS Drawing from the Catholic Book Publishing Edition, 2020

  • Decree of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship (1969)
  • The Second Edition (edition typica altera)(1973)
  • Decree of Confirmation of the Congregation of the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (2019)
  • Decree of Publication of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (2019)
  • Christian Initiation: General Introduction (1969)
  • The Order of Baptism of Children (Latin 1973/USA 2020) [OBC]
  • Introduction
  • Chapter I: Order of Baptism for Several Children (Outside of Mass)
    • Rite of Receiving the Children (entrance of church)
      • Psalm or hymn to accompany the minister to the door of the church doors (OBC 35)
      • Opening remarks (OBC 36)
      • Opening questions of parents and godparents (OBC 37-40)
      • Signing of the children on the forehead (OBC 41)
      • Song (Psalm 85) and procession to the appointed place (OBC 42)
    • Sacred Celebration of the Word of God (nave)
      • Biblical readings and homily
        • OBC 44: appropriate one reading or a usual Liturgy of the Word with first reading, psalm, second reading, Gospel acclamation, Gospel and homily. (Extra readings found at OBC 195-203)
      • Prayer of the faithful
      • Litany of saints
      • Prayer of exorcism and anointing (with Oil of Catechumens) before baptism
        • OBC 51 states it may be omitted and says: “May the strength of Christ the Savior protect you; who lives and reigns for ever and ever.”
      • Procession to the baptistry (OBC 52)
        • Song (Psalm 23?)
    • Celebration of Baptism (at the font)
      • Opening remarks (OBC 53)
      • Blessing of water and invocation of God over the water
        (if not already blessed; other formulas at OBC 223-224 with acclamations such as “Blessed Be God.”)
      • Renunciation of sin and Profession of Faith
      • Baptism
      • Acclamation (OBC 60 “Blessed be God, who chose you in Christ” or other acclamations at OBC 225-245)
    • Explanatory Rites
      • Anointing after baptism (with Sacred Chrism)
      • Clothing with a white garment
      • Handing on of a lighted candle
      • “Ephphatha” (OBC 65 takes place at the discretion of the celebrant)
    • Conclusion of the Rite (at the altar)
      • Canticle may be sung and lighted candles carried in procession (OBC 67 or others at OBC 225-245)
      • LORD’S prayer
      • Blessing and dismissal (OBC 70 or 247-249)
      • [Canticle of Mary (Magnificat) and procession to the altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary – optional]
  • Chapter II: Order of Baptism for One Child (Outside of Mass)
    • Rite of Receiving the Child (entrance of church)
      • Psalm or hymn to accompany the minister to the door of the church doors (OBC 74)
      • Opening remarks (OBC 75)
      • Opening questions of parents and godparents (OBC 76-78)
      • Signing of the children on the forehead (OBC 79)
      • Song (Psalm 85) and procession to the appointed place (OBC 80)
    • Sacred Celebration of the Word of God (nave)
      • Biblical readings and homily
        • OBC 81: Appropriate one reading or a usual Liturgy of the Word with first reading, psalm, second reading, Gospel acclamation, Gospel and homily. (Extra readings found at OBC 195-203)
      • Prayer of the Faithful
      • Litany of Saints
      • Prayer of exorcism and anointing (with Oil of Catechumens) before baptism
        • OBC 88 states it may be omitted and says: “May the strength of Christ the Savior protect you; who lives and reigns for ever and ever.”
      • Procession to the Baptistry (OBC 89 — no song/psalm mentioned)
    • Celebration of Baptism (at the font)
      • Opening remarks (OBC 90)
      • Blessing of water and invocation of God over the water
        (if not already blessed; other formulas at OBC 223-224 with acclamations such as “Blessed Be God.”)
      • Renunciation of sin and Profession of Faith
      • Baptism
      • Acclamation
        (OBC 97 “Blessed be God, who chose you in Christ” or other acclamations at OBC 225-245)
    • Explanatory Rites
      • Anointing after baptism (with Sacred Chrism)
      • Clothing with a white garment
      • Handing on of a lighted candle
      • “Ephphatha” (OBC 101 notes it takes place at the discretion of the celebrant)
    • Conclusion of the Rite (at the altar)
      • Canticle may be sung and lighted candles carried in procession (OBC 102 or others at OBC 225-245)
      • LORD’S prayer
      • Blessing and dismissal (OBC 105 or 247-249)
      • [Canticle of Mary (Magnificat) and procession to the altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary – optional]
  • Chapter III: Order of Baptism for a Large Number of Children
    (Outside of Mass)

    • Rite of Receiving the Children (entrance of church)
      • Psalm or hymn to accompany the minister to the door of the church doors (OBC 107)
      • Opening remarks (OBC 108)
      • Opening questions of parents and godparents (OBC 108-111)
      • Signing of the children on the forehead (OBC 11)
      • Song (Psalm 85) and procession to the appointed place (OBC 42)
    • Sacred Celebration of the Word of God (nave)
      • Biblical readings and homily
        • OBC 112: Appropriate one reading or a usual Liturgy of the Word with first reading, psalm, second reading, Gospel acclamation, Gospel and homily. (Extra readings found at OBC 186-194 and 204-215)
      • Prayer of the Faithful (OBC 114)
      • [Litany of Saints – may be omitted]
      • Prayer of exorcism (ends Prayer of Faithful
        [Anointing with Oil of Catechumens before baptism omitted OBC 115]

        • OBC 115: “May the strength of Christ the Savior protect you;
          who lives and reigns for ever and ever.”
      • Procession to the Baptistry (OBC 52)
        • [Processional song to the font not mentioned in Chapter III]
    • Celebration of Baptism (at the font)
      • Opening remarks (OBC 53)
      • Blessing of water and invocation of God over the water
        (OBC 118: With the formulas “Blessed Be God” )
      • Renunciation of sin and Profession of Faith
      • Baptism
      • Acclamation
        (OBC 124 “Blessed be God, who chose you in Christ” or other acclamations at OBC 225-245)
    • Explanatory Rites
      • Anointing after baptism (with Sacred Chrism)
      • Clothing with a white garment
      • Handing on of a lighted candle
      • [There is no “Ephphatha” rite]
    • Conclusion of the Rite (at the altar)
      • Canticle may be sung and lighted candles carried in procession (OBC 127 or others at OBC 225-245)
      • LORD’S prayer
      • Blessing and dismissal (OBC 130 or 247-249)
      • [Canticle of Mary (Magnificat) and procession to the altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary – optional]
  • Chapter IV: Order of Baptism to be Used by Catechists
    in the Absence of [Clergy] (Outside of Mass)

    • Rite of Receiving the Children (entrance of church)
      • Psalm or hymn to accompany the minister to the door of the church doors (OBC 132)
      • Opening remarks (OBC 133)
      • Opening questions of parents and godparents (OBC 133-136)
      • Signing of the children on the forehead (OBC 11)
      • Song (Psalm 85) and procession to the appointed place (OBC 42)
    • Sacred Celebration of the Word of God (nave)
      • Biblical readings and homily or instruction
        • OBC 137: Appropriate one reading or a usual Liturgy of the Word with first reading, psalm, second reading, Gospel acclamation, Gospel and homily. (Extra readings found at OBC 186-194 and 204-215)
        • OBC 138: in place of the biblical reading and homily mentioned above, the catechist, in case of necessity, may read an instruction
      • Prayer of the Faithful (OBC 139)
      • Litany of Saints (Prayer of exorcism omitted – OBC 140]
      • Procession to the Baptistry (OBC 141)
        • [Processional song to the font not mentioned in Chapter IV]
    • Celebration of Baptism (at the font)
      • Opening remarks (OBC 141)
      • Blessing of water and invocation of God over the water
        (OBC 142: With the formulas “Blessed Be God”; if already blessed then OBC 143)
      • Renunciation of sin and Profession of Faith
      • Baptism
      • Acclamation
        (OBC 150 “Blessed be God, who chose you in Christ” or other acclamations at OBC 225-245)
    • Explanatory Rites
      • Post-baptismal prayer (Anointing with Sacred Chrism omitted)
      • Clothing with a white garment
      • Handing on of a lighted candle (There is no “Ephphatha” rite)
      • Acclamation (OBC 153)
    • Conclusion of the Rite (at the altar)
      • Canticle may be sung and lighted candles carried in procession (OBC 153 or others at OBC 225-245)
      • LORD’S prayer
      • Blessing and dismissal (OBC 156 and not a blessing like a cleric)
      • [Canticle of Mary (Magnificat) and procession to the altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary – optional]
  • Chapter V: Order of Baptism of Children in Danger of Death,
    or at the Point of Death, to be used in the Absence of a [Cleric]

    • Shorter Prayer of the Faithful (OBC 157)
    • Collect (ending the Prayer of the Faithful – OBC 158)
    • Profession of Faith or Recitation of the Apostles Creed (OBC 159)
      • If no one present able to recite the Profession of Faith, it may be omitted (OBC 163)
    • Baptism
      • OBC 164: At the moment of death, omitting the other rites, it suffices that the minister pours water over the child, saying the appropriate words.
      • It is desirable that the minister, if possible, has one or even a second witness present.
    • Clothing with a White Garment (OBC 161)
    • LORD’S Prayer
  • Chapter VI: Order of Bringing a Baptized Child to the Church

    • Rite of Receiving the Child
      • Psalm or hymn to accompany the minister to the door of the church doors if appropriate for the circumstances (OBC 165)
      • Questions (differently phrased OBC 168)
      • Signing of the children on the forehead (OBC 170)
      • Song (Psalm 85) and procession to the appointed place (OBC 171)
    • Sacred Celebration of the Word of God (nave)
      • Biblical readings and homily
        • OBC 172: Appropriate one reading or a usual Liturgy of the Word with first reading, psalm, second reading, Gospel acclamation, Gospel and homily. (Extra readings found at OBC 186-194 and 204-215)
      • Prayer of the Faithful (OBC 114)
      • Litany of Saints – followed by silence and praying in their hearts (OBC 174)
      • Prayer of invocation (OBC 177) – due to the previous baptismal rite
    • Explanatory Rites
      • Anointing after baptism (with Sacred Chrism)
      • Clothing with a white garment
      • Handing on of a lighted candle (There is no “Ephphatha” rite)
      • Canticle “Baptized in Christ” sung (OBC 181)
    • Conclusion of the Rite (at the altar)
      • LORD’S prayer
      • Blessing of parents and dismissal (OBC 183 or 247-249)
      • [Canticle of Mary (Magnificat) and procession to the altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary – optional]
  • Chapter VII: Various Texts for Use in the Celebration of Baptism for Children
    • I. Biblical Readings
      • Readings from the [Hebrew Scriptures]
        • Exodus 17: 3-7
        • Ezekiel 36: 24-28
        • Ezekiel 47: 1-9, 12
      • Responsorial Psalms
        • Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b04, 5, 6
        • Psalm 27: 1, 4, 8b-9abcd, 13-14
        • Psalm 34: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9, 14-15, 16-17, 18-19
      • Readings from the New Testament
        • Romans 6: 3-5
        • Romans 8: 28-32
        • 1 Corinthians 12: 12-13
        • Galatians 3: 26-28
        • Ephesians 4: 1-6
        • 1 Peter 2: 4-5, 9-10
      • [Gospel Acclamation] and Verse before the Gospel
        • John 3: 16
        • John 8: 12
        • John 14: 6
        • Ephesians 4: 5-6
        • Cf. 2 Timothy 1: 10
        • 1 Peter 2: 9
      • Gospels
        • Matthew 22: 35-40
        • Matthew 28: 18-20
        • Mark 1: 9-11
        • Mark 10: 13-16
        • Mark 12: 28b – 24/Short form 28b-31
        • John 3: 1-6
        • John 4: 5-14
        • John 6: 44-47
        • John 7: 37b-39a
        • John 9: 1-7
        • John 15: 1-11
        • John 19: 31-35
    • II. Formulas for the Prayer of the Faithful
      • 1: OBC 216: Confer OBC 47
      • 2: OBC 217
      • 3: OBC 218
      • 4: OBC 219
      • 5: OBC 220
    • II A. Another Litany of the Saints (OBC 220A)
    • III. Another Prayer of Exorcism (OBC 221)
    • IV. Blessing of Water & Invocation of God over the Water
      • 1: OBC 222: Confer OBC 54
      • 2: OBC 223
      • 3: OBC 224
    • V. Acclamations, Hymns, & Chants
      • Acclamations Taken from Sacred Scripture (OBC 225-236)
        • Exodus 15: 11
        • 1 John 1:5
        • 1 John 4: 16
        • Ephesians 4: 6
        • Psalm 33: 6
        • Cf. Ephesians 1: 3-4
        • Ephesians 2: 10
        • 1 John 3: 2
        • 1 John 3: 1
        • Revelation 22: 14
        • Galatians 3: 28
        • Ephesians 5: 1-2
      • Hymns in the style of the New Testament (OBC 237-238)
        • 1 Peter 1: 3-5
        • Cf. 1 Timothy 3: 16
      • Chants selected from antiquity and from the liturgies
        (Text only, no music – OBC 239-245)
    • VI. Formulas of Final Blessing
      • 1: OBC 246: Confer OBC 70 (Mother, father, and all present)
      • 2: OBC 247: Newly baptized children, parents all present
      • 3: OBC 248: Mother, father, and all relatives and friends gathered
      • 4: OBC 249: All present commended to the mercies and grace of God
  • Appendix: Order of Baptism of Children within Mass
    • Introduction (OBC 250-256)
    • Order of Baptism for Several Children Within Mass
      • The Introductory Rites
        • Rite of Receiving the Children
          • Entrance chant
          • Priest to the door of the church
          • Sign of the Cross
          • Opening remarks (No greeting or penitential act OBC 259)
          • Questions of the parents and godparents
          • Procession to the altar and chair with song (Psalm 85 or other)
        • Glory to God in the Highest
        • Collect

(of the day from the Roman Missal or when Ritual Mass is permitted, one of the following is said at OBC 268)

      • The Liturgy of the Word
        • Biblical readings and homily
          • Celebrated in the usual manner (OBC 269)

Mass of the day or

Christmas Time and Ordinary Time and at weekday Masses, may be Lectionary for Mass 756-760 or OBC 44, 186-215) when a Ritual Mass or

When a Ritual Mass is not permitted, one of the readings may be taken from the texts provided for baptism of children

        • Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful)
        • Litany of Saints
        • Prayer of exorcism and anointing [with the Oil of the Catechumens] before baptism
          • OBC 275 prayer or omitted (OBC 276) with special words
        • Procession to the font with liturgical song (Psalm 23 or other)
      • Celebration of Baptism
        • Opening remarks (OBC 278)
        • Blessing of water and invocation of God over the water
          • Easter Time: special prayer of thanksgiving and petition (OBC 223-224)
        • Renunciation of sin and Profession of Faith
        • Baptism and acclamation (OBC 285)
      • Explanatory Rites
        • Anointing [with Sacred Chrism] after baptism
        • Clothing with a white garment
        • Handing on of a lighted candle
        • “Ephphatha” (OBC 291: if large crowd, ears and mouth touching omitted)
      • The Liturgy of the Eucharist
        • In the Eucharistic Prayer, proper formulas from the Ritual Mass “for the conferral of baptism” are used (OBC 292)
      • The Concluding Rites
        • Blessing and dismissal (OBC 293 – see the formula that is not written completely in the Roman Missal but is found in the “General Instruction of the Roman Missal Introduction.”)
    • Order of Baptism for One Child Within Mass
      • The Introductory Rites
        • Rite of Receiving the Children
          • Entrance chant
          • Priest to the door of the church
          • Sign of the Cross
          • Opening remarks (No Greeting or Penitential Act OBC 298)
          • Questions of the parents and godparents
          • Procession to the altar and chair with song (Psalm 85 or other)
        • Glory to God in the Highest
        • Collect

(of the day from the Roman Missal or when Ritual Mass is permitted, one of the following is said at OBC 306)

      • The Liturgy of the Word
        • Biblical readings and homily
          • Celebrated in the usual manner (OBC 307)

Mass of the day or

Christmas Time & Ordinary Time and at weekday Masses, may be Lectionary for Mass 756-760 or OBC 44, 186-215) when a Ritual Mass or

When a Ritual Mass is not permitted, one of the readings may be taken from the texts provided for Baptism of children

        • Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful)
        • Litany of Saints
        • Prayer of exorcism and anointing [with the Oil of the Catechumens] before baptism
          • OBC 313 prayer or omitted (OBC 314) with special words
        • Procession to the font with liturgical song (Psalm 23 or other)
      • Celebration of Baptism
        • Opening remarks (OBC 316)
        • Blessing of water and invocation of God over the water
          • Easter Time: special prayer of thanksgiving and petition (OBC 223-224)
        • Renunciation of sin and Profession of Faith
        • Baptism and acclamation (OBC 323)
      • Explanatory Rites
        • Anointing [with Sacred Chrism] after baptism
        • Clothing with a white garment
        • Handing on of a lighted candle
        • “Ephphatha” (OBC 326: takes place at the discretion of the celebrant for “one child.”)
      • The Liturgy of the Eucharist
        • In the Eucharistic Prayer, proper formulas from the Ritual Mass “for the conferral of baptism” are used (OBC 328)
      • The Concluding Rites
        • Blessing and dismissal (OBC 329 – see the formula that is not written completely in the Roman Missal but is found in the “General Instruction of the Roman Missal Introduction.”)

About John Thomas Lane, SSS

Blessed Sacrament Father Lane is pastor of his home parish, Saint Paschal Baylon, Highland Heights, Ohio. He writes and speaks regular on liturgy, has written two books for LTP, a four time member on the team of authors for Sourcebook, worked in a diocesan worship office and is an associate member of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC). He has degrees in education, music, theology and liturgy and also served his religious order as vocation minister. Contact him at jtlanesss@gmail.com or (440) 442-3410 extension 111.

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