Читать книгу A Working Manual for Altar Guilds - Dorothy C. Diggs - Страница 13

Baptism takes place at the font, which is usually near the door of the church. The font must be cleaned and dusted before a baptism is to take place.

As Holy Baptism is a corporate service in which the whole Body of Christ participates and the congregation act as witnesses, it is much preferred that baptism take place at regular church services. Each candidate is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons.

When there is a baptistry altar with cross and candlesticks, and the baptism takes place at a regular church service, the acolyte may light the candles at the time of the baptism. At a private service prepared for by the Altar Guild, the member on duty should light the candles before the family assembles, if no acolyte is to be present.

Vessels and linen necessary for a baptism:

1. Ewer, containing warm water

2. Baptismal bowl, if used

3. Baptismal shell

4. Baptismal towel

5. Pascal Candle, if used

6. Baptismal Candle, if used

7. The certificate near at hand

8. Prayer Book for priest, marked at Holy Baptism

9. Prayer Books for parents, sponsors and witnesses, also properly marked; or the Holy Baptism booklets, if used.

The ewer may be placed on the baptistry altar, or on a suitable table, or on steps by the font.

Often the font has an outlet with stopper and the water is poured by the officiant into the font itself. Generally the stopper is removed at the end of the service just before leaving the font.

When a baptismal bowl is used, it is put in the font with the shell either in it or beside it, and the towel is laid on the altar or over the edge of the font, whichever seems more convenient.

If the font has no outlet, after the service the water should be carefully taken up and poured upon the ground and the font thoroughly dried. The interior bowl of the font should be kept clean at all times. The font should never be used to hold floral decorations

White is the normal liturgical color for the baptismal rite of initiation.

“Holy Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints’ Day or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany). It is recommended that, as far as possible, Baptisms be reserved for these occasions or when a bishop is present.”

—The Book of Common Prayer