Adult initiationDear Editor, I am writing responding to your request about how parishes have made adult initiation the norm in liturgical rites. When I first arrived at my current parish, they had a well organized RCIA program that seemed to work quite well. When I asked the coordinator how they baptized the catechumens at the Vigil, he said they were baptized the same way as the infants: a clear bowl on a small table in the sanctuary. The current font was not used and it was located at the rear of the church. I was determined, be it God's will, that one of my goals was to design and build an immersion font pool for all baptisms. The pastor supported my efforts (as long as the $6,000 could be donated) and I began teaching the parish through the bulletin, conferences, talks, etc on the importance of baptism and how the parish was in need of a dignified, permanent font. After two years, I had the design and money in hand to create our new font. The font had an upper pool for infants with heated water flowing into a lower pool for adult baptisms. It was first used at the Vigil in 1996 and then for infant baptisms the following Sunday. The reaction of the people was better than I imagined. Those who asked why we needed to use lots of water soon became the font's champions. The assembly, who in the past just sat there, complaining that baptisms interfered with Mass, now were standing up, stretching their heads to see naked infants being lowered into the upper pool. The facial reactions could speak volumns on how powerful our sacraments are when celebrated with dignity and fullness of symbol. At the vigil we baptized 30 catechumens from 7-60 years old. These people, soaked head to toe, gleamed with joy as their sponsors led them across the sanctuary into the parish hall to change into their Easter clothes. For the renewal of baptismal promises, I suggested that instead of the priests going around sprinkling everyone, we have the people come to the font to bless themselves. My pastor said, "Let's try it" and not only did it work, he was right at the font directing people and telling them in his own way, "Use lots of water!" Sure, it was messy (crowds of people, water on the floor, etc.) but it was the Vigil and when it ended almost 2 1/2 hours later, everyone stayed around to talk and to celebrate. I enjoyed the article by Robert Habiger and the baptistry he designed. I can't understand how he could recommend for infant baptisms during a Sunday Mass bringing a glass bowl to the sanctuary. It doesn't make sense. Since the actual time to immerse an infant takes less than a minute. I would suggest that infants be brought to the font for the baptism and then return to the sanctuary for the rest of the rite. I personally don't like covering the pool except for the Vigil. The more water the people can see and hear, I think the better impact. Our font always has it's water flowing during any liturgical actions or sacrament to remind us of our entrance into the Body of Christ and our call to holiness of life. I personally like a separate area for the font and yes. ideally, the whole community can gather around for baptisms. In my 20 years as a liturgist, I have learned to balance the ideal with the practical. People do want to see baptisms. It is difficult to move over 400 people into a limited space for baptisms. A baptistry can be designed so that people can see the action and yet be separate but dignified space just like the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Remember, the rite calls for a "procession" to the font for the baptism itself. The whole rite can be done within the assembly except for the baptism itself. This makes sense and the assembly is there, praying, and witnessing this important sacrament. Joseph Mangone —ML |