Traditional Rite of Baptism

The Rite of Baptism in the Roman Catholic Church
According to the Traditional Ritual

Part I | Outside the Church

The priest (wearing a violet stole), sponsors, and the catechumen stand in the narthex of the church, symbolizing that at this point, the candidate is not a member of the Church.

The Questioning

The Exsufflation - The priest then breathes 3 times on the candidate in the form of a Cross, recalling the Spirit (breath, wind, "ruach") of God.

The Sign of the Cross - The priest now makes the Sign of the Cross with his thumb on the candidate's forehead and breast.

The Imposition of Hands - The priest places his hands on the candidate's head.

The Imposition of Salt - Now the priest puts a little blessed saltin the candidate's mouth. Salt is the symbol of that wisdom which gives a relish for the sweetness of divine nourishment; preserves, by the teaching of the Gospel, from the corruption of sin, and prevents evil passions from growing in men's souls.

Part II | Admission into the Church Building

The Exorcism - The priest makes the Sign of the Cross over the candidate three times.

The Sign of the Cross - The priest again makes the Sign of the Cross on the candidate's forehead

The Imposition of Hands - For the final time, the priest lays his hand on the candidate's head

Admission into the Church Building - The priest lays the end of his stole on the candidate as a symbol of his priestly authority, and admits him into the church building, which is the symbol of the Church of Christ.

The Credo and Pater by the sponsors

Part III | In the Nave of the Church

The Solemn Exorcism

The Ephpheta - The priest touches the ears and nostrils of the candidate.

The Renunciation of Satan

The Anointing - The priest anoints the candidate with the oil of catechumens the heart and between the shoulders in the form of a Cross.

Part IV | At the Font

The priest removes his violet stole and puts on a white one.

The Profession of Faith

Baptism - If the one to be baptized is a baby, the godparents take him to the font --the godmother holds him in her arms, the godfather touches the baby's shoulder with his right hand. The priest pours water over the head of the candidate three times, once after each mention of the Divine Persons

The Anointing with Chrism

The White Linen Cloth - This priest takes a white linen cloth -- symbolizing the purity of a soul cleansed from all sin, and a relic of the days when the newly baptized wore white albs for 8 days -- and places it on the head of the candidate.

The Lighted Candle - The priest gives the candidate or the sponsor a lighted candle.

Last Words of Good Will