The Catechetical Review - Communicating Christ for a New Evangelization

Articles Under: Sacramental Preparation

The Minister of Baptism According to the Code of Canon Law, in order for the Sacrament of Baptism to be celebrated validly and lawfully, there must be a minister of baptism. There is no circumstance in which a person may baptise himself. There are three important canons in the code which are relevant to issues revolving around the minister of baptism: - Canon 861 defines the ordinary and extraordinary ministers of baptism, and the circumstances in which the latter may lawfully baptise. - Canon 862 defines the territorial restrictions on the exercise of baptism by ordinary ministers. - Canon 863... Read more
The Baptismal Font The baptismal font is an important feature and symbol of any parish church. It is necessary for catechists to have a clear understanding of the role of the baptismal font and the place of baptism for the life of the community. The canonical norms on the baptismal font and the place of baptism are clear: candidates must be baptised in the baptismal font in the proper parish church. The following norms will outline the baptismal font and also make clear where baptism is to be administered. The question of the baptismal font is rarely discussed in any... Read more
In this article Fr. Rosney offers the canonical teaching on the time of and place of baptism as set out in canons 856-857. The time and place of celebration are important in order to highlight the importance of the sacrament as the first step of membership into God’s family. WHEN should Baptism be celebrated? In the life of the Church, the question of what day the sacraments are administered in the Code of Canon Law is clearly stated. In regard to the sacrament of baptism Canon 856 treats the time of celebration: Although baptism can be celebrated on any day,... Read more
Baptismal Water, Immersion and Name In the previous article, Fr Rosney clarified the terms ‘adult’ and ‘infant’ baptism in relation to the formation for baptism. In this article, he outlines ‘baptismal water’, ‘immersion and pouring’, and ‘baptismal name’ according the canons 853-855 in the Code of Canon Law. What water is used for Baptism? The water to be used for baptism should be blessed, normally during the celebration of the baptism itself. If unblessed water is used, the sacrament is still valid because canon 849, which treats the validity of baptism, doesn’t say the water should be blessed. In the... Read more
We continue to look at how catechists can benefit from a better understanding of the Code of Canon Law, looking at the seven sacraments. The Sacraments The seven sacraments are treated in Book IV ‘The Sanctifying Function of the Church’ of the code of canon law under canons 849-1165. The sacraments as ‘the principal elements of the liturgy’ constitute three-quarters of Book IV under seven titles corresponding to the seven sacraments. The canons give primary emphasis to the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist in accordance with the norm in canon 842.2 which states; ‘The sacraments of baptism, confirmation,... Read more
The awe and wonder of Emmanuel, God with us, with which we identify so well at Christmas time in Primary schools with Nativity plays, carols and lumpy throats at the sight of Reception class transformed into angels, is at times quite lost when we are in the presence of Emmanuel today. Our Lord told us ‚‘I am with you always’, and the way which he chose to be present among us is in the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament of the altar which is reserved even when the Mass is over so that he can be with us still. The Sacrifice... Read more
This liturgical meditation is taken from Romano Guardini's book, Sacred Signs. ‘And I saw …… and an angel came, and stood before the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given him much incense……. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God, from the hand of the angel.’ So says St John in the Apocalypse. There is a grand beauty in this laying of the bright grains on the glowing coal and then the scented smoke rising from the swinging censer. It is like a melody with rhythmic movement and sweet... Read more
This liturgical meditation is taken from Romano Guardini's book, Sacred Signs . It is spread out on the altar; it lies, in the corporal, as a winding cloth, under chalice and Host; the priest, when he performs the sacred service, is vested in the alb, the white linen garment; linen covers the table of the Lord at which the divine bread is distributed… True linen is a costly thing, clean and fine and strong. When it lies there so white and fresh I can only think of a forest walk in winter, when I came suddenly to an open slope... Read more
What does the Code of Canon Law teach on formation for baptism? The celebration of the sacraments in the Catholic Church demand formation in the faith of the sacrament, and baptism as the foundation of all the sacraments is no different. The first words of canon 851 clearly state ‘…the celebration of baptism must be prepared properly.’ It adds that an adult who intends to be baptised must be admitted to the catechumenate and be led to the various stages of sacramental initiation according to the norms laid down by the conference of bishops. In addition, canon 851 exhorts parents... Read more
Continuing our series on the Code of Canon Law, in this issue Fr Rosney explains the rites used for the baptism of infants and of adults, helping catechists to be able to appreciate in a straightforward way the various points in the Code. The celebration of baptism in the Code of Canon Law highlights particular and diverse aspects of their celebration, and in accordance with Canon 2, leaves a much fuller presentation governing the celebration to the various ritual books. Chapter One (cc. 850-860) treats the celebration in baptism in the following ways: The proper rite for the celebration (c... Read more