At Jesus’ own Baptism, as he came up from the waters of the Jordan, the Holy Spirit came to rest upon him, sealing him as the Christ, the Messiah, God’s Anointed one. When your child comes up from the font, he/she will be sealed to be more like Jesus and consecrated to carry out Jesus’s mission. This part of the rite is a challenge for you as well as you ponder the ways in which you are carrying out your own share in Jesus’s mission.
Presider: Is it your will, therefore, that N. should be baptized in the faith of the Church which we have all professed with you?
Parents and Godparents: Yes, it is.
Presider: N. I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All sing: Alleluia!
Presider: Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has freed you from sin, and given you new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and joined you to His people. He now anoints you with the chrism of salvation, so that, you may remain as a member of Christ, Priest, Prophet, and King, unto eternal life.
All: Amen!
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew, Chapter 5
After you and your partner have each had time alone to read and reflect, arrange a quiet time together to share and reflect with each other on these questions. Include your older children in the conversation as appropriate.
One of you read the following passage aloud. These are the priest Zechariah’s words when his son John the Baptist was born:
Then lay your hands either over the womb or touching your child if already born, and say the following words:
Then in turn say the same words to your partner and to any of the siblings who might be sharing in this prayer.
Take a little time for the children of the world who are burdened by poverty or sickness or war or family discord. Mention by name any child that you know who is suffering, and invite your other children to do the same.
Choose one of the Beatitudes that you want to try to live up to, especially while waiting for your child to be baptized.