What goes on at a catholic baptism?

Question

First off I don't mean to sound ignorant. I'm not sure if baptism is the right word for this religion but I've been invited to one by a good friend. I'm not religious and haven't been to a church service in about 10 years so I have no idea what to expect. I know there is a lot of standing and sitting and making cross's with my hand on my forehead and chest (or am I thinking of a different religion). I want to try my best out of respect so can some one give me a play by play of what happens.

Also what kind of gifts do people normally give at a baptism?

Answer 1

You can just stand nearby and watch, unless you're one of the godparents. You don't have to cross yourself, although it is customary for some Catholics to do so at different parts of the service. The creed is normally said either in the service, or in response to the questions at the font. It would be inappropriate to do this, if it is not your faith. The priest will ask questions of the parents and godparents (these are usually printed out in a service leaflet), anointing the child and possibly placing a little salt on the child's tongue, he will then pour water in the font (and bless it (if this has not already been done). taking the child, or having somebody hold it at the font, he will ask the child's name, he will then either pour water over the child's head or immerse the child saying the name and baptising the child in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As he hands the child back to a godparent or parent he will again anoint the child (this time with Chrism, a special oil used at baptisms, ordinations, and coronations), and lighting a candle from the Easter Candle, present that to a parent or godparent on the child's behalf. Traditional gifts at a baptism are rosaries, bibles, prayer books, children's religious books, medals of the child's name or patron saint, white clothes or blankets, things that the child will eventually use as it grows in the faith. None of these are necessary, a card or congratulations or small gift of cash or bond towards the child's education are equally appropriate. Enjoy the occasion and celebrate with the happy family. They must think a lot of you to share their faith with you in this way.

Answer 2

Yes you have the religion right in mind when you are thinking those things and the Sacrament is called Baptism.

The parents and godparents will come forward with the child. A candle will be lit for the child off of the Church's Paschal Candle. The parents and godparents will answer questions about the raising and spiritual life of the child. Water will then be poured over the forehead of the child in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then the child will be annoited with oil.

If the baptism takes place as part of a Mass (some take place afterwards or on other days still in some parishes) you would not be expect to kneel, genuflect or make the sign of the cross. Just sit and stand with the congregation. If the Baptism takes place apart from Mass you would normally either sit or stand depending if it is taking place inside the Chapel or in a special room off the vestibule.

You can give the child anything you want. Usually it is a gift of religious significance but since you are not religious a gift certificate or savings bond or a nice blanket would be good. If you decide to give a religious one then just head to a Catholic bookstore or a Catholic website and they will have tons of Baptism gifts. Usually the Baptismal gifts found at other Christian stores are geared toward Protestants and not Catholics.

Answer 3

Sometimes there is no mass & there's just a baptism, and I pretty sure you won't have to do anything. If there is a mass with the baptism, you can follow along in the missalette (usually in the pew). Don't stress no one will think it's disrespectful. Some people who go to church don't say all the things all the time. The missalette has everything in you need to know. Find that days readings so you'll be ready. Don't sit in the front row, so you can just mimmick the people in front of you. At the very beginning you stand when the priest walkis up the aisle, and he'll say something like "let us begin our service in the name of the Father & the Son & the Holy Spirit" You make the sign of the cross with those words. Father (touch your forehead) Son,( touch your chest), Holy Spirit (Touch your left shoulder & then your right) Then you'll sit . After the first & second readings you'll notice and the end it says The word of the Lord- Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God is written in bolder print, and you say that right after you hear the word of the Lord . Then you'll stand & sing alleluia. The the gospel. the priest usually says something like the peace of the Lord be with you, and you say and also with you. He'll say a reading form the gospel according to Luke. Then you say Glory to you Lord and you make a tiny cross on your forehead, a tiny cross over your lips and a tiny cross over your heart. ( the symbolism for this is In my mind, on my lips, & in my heart) At the end you'll notice again in the missalette if your following along the bold print at the bottom "Glory to you Lord" say that (if you want). What else is there. When you say the Lords prayer, most catholic churches will hold hands, so when the person next to you grabs your hand, it's ok don't be alarmed, they will let it go at the end of the prayer.There is peace be with you, You'll shake hands with people & say peace be with you. And then there's some more kneeling before communion. If you are not in a state of grace you should not receive communion, just sit back at let people pass you. A lot of people don't get communion. That's all I can muster up at the moment. I probably left some things out, but there might not even be a mass.
People give regular gifts, baby clothes & stuff. If you want to get a religious gift, most people don't you can find some at a Christian bookstore. Let me know if you have anymore questions

Answer 4

I assume you mean an infant baptism. (Baptisms of older people are more involved and usually occur at the Easter Vigil.) Essentially you do what everyone else does, unless you're a godparent. There are some prayers. The baby's forehead may be anointed with a little oil. The parents and sponsors answer "I do" to a half dozen faith statements, and the baby is usually held over the baptimal font while water is poured over his/her head. They wrap the baby in a towel, then change the baby into a white outfit. The parents, godparents and baby are presented with a candle, and a few more prayers and blessings are said. Applaud when the baptized baby is presented to the community, and try not to be obnoxious with the picture taking. You'll do fine. The gift does not have to be religious. Any baby gift, such as an article of clothing, will be great.

Answer 5

Is this an infant baptism? Most often babies are christened in Roman Catholic religion. If you are not of the faith, then the most polite thing to do is be respectful. If there is a hymn book or program with prayers that you can follow do so... if not .. just sit or stand and observe. No one expects you to understand or know all of the rituals or behaviors associated with a religion that you do not belong. Nothing weird happens, two people are asked to be godparents for the child, they answer for the child , denouncing Satan and professing belief on Jesus Christ and God. Water is used as a symbol of washing away sin.
The congregation is asked to make the same claims but if you are not comfortable; again, just sit or stand quietly- no one will say anything or kick you out.

A simple card wishing the baby and parents well will suffice with any gift ( monetary or otherwise) you would give to any new baby and parents.

Answer 6

In reply to "Jesus M:"

He is wrong: every human being is born with Original Sin, so Catholics baptise newborns in order to wash them of that original sin as soon as possible.

And, no one seems to have given you a very detailed answer, so, here goes:

here is a blog which gives the text of the baptism ceremony in both the Ordinary Form (what you will probably experience) and the Extraordinary Form (The Traditional Latin form) of the rite.

http://lacrimarum-valle.blogspot.com/2007/02/comparison-of-rites-of-baptism.html

It is rather long, and for a non-Catholic, probably rather tedious to read. In reality, many priests make small changes to the text in the new rite (the Ordinary rite), so what you experience may not be exactly the same.

Here's the basics of what you will see:
At the beginning, usually outisde the church or near the entrance, the Priest asks the parents what they are asking for their child, and they answer "Baptism."

The priest will then welcome the child into the church, offer a prayer for it. The priest will ask the parents (any everyone gathered) if they reject Satan and his temptation. Then, there is a profession of faith, and afterwards the actual baptism (pouring the water over the infant's head, saying "I baptise you in the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit."

Lastly, the parents and godparents recieve special candles, and the priest gives the infant a last blessing.

Answer 7

no gifts are necessary. The priest will instruct you what to do, or you can just watch what everyone else does. Baptisms usually draw alot of people who are not of the same faith as the Catholic parent/s, so relax because for sure you will not be the only person there that does not know what is what. It is a very beautiful service if it takes place within the confines of the Mass.

Answer 8

Well, kudos to you for at least being open to the idea!

The easy answer is- do what everyone else is doing.

If the baptism is outside of Mass, you are there to watch. Not much will go on requiring your participation.

If it is during Mass, check here: http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0889.asp

You do not need to kneel if you are not comfortable, you can just sit.

During the actual baptism, there are prayers for the child and parents, anointing and the baptism.

Answer 9

The true meaning of baptism is the washing of sins.
The baptism conducted by the Roman Catholic religion is not true baptism because of baptrizing kids of young age. The young kids have not yet comnmitted a sin against God and still do not know what is right and what is wrong, so they are not yet supposed to receive baptism at young age.Catholics are not following the law of God in the bible but following the doctrine and law of the Vatican or their Pope whom they worship.
jtm

Answer 10

just show up, sit when told, stand when told, and kneel when told, it's pretty easy. I will spare you the religious significance of the act. Just buy a nice gift.