The
ceremony of the white vesture and the ceremony of the burning light may
be introduced after the Baptism in the manner following.
THE BAPTISM
Then the Priest shall take each
person to be baptized by the right hand, and shall say to the
Godparents,
Name this person (child).
And then, naming him after them, he
shall dip him in the water, or poiur water upon him, saying,
N. I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then shall the Priest say,
We receive this person (child) into the congregation of Christ's flock,
+ and
do sign him with the sign of
the Cross, in token that hereafter he
shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and
manfully to fight under his banner against sin, the world, and the
devil, and to continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end. Amen.
Then (or immediately after the
Baptism) each candidate may be clothed with a white vesture. And
after the candidates are received, and are so vested, the Priest shall
say,
The white vesture is a token of innocency, which by God's grace in this
holy Sacrament of Baptism is given unto you; and it is a sign whereby
you are admonished to give yourself henceforth to innocency of living,
that after this transitory life you may be partaker of the life
everlasting. Amen.
Then the Priest may deliver to each
candidate a burning light, saying,
Receive this burning light, and walk in the light by faith in Jesus
Christ. Amen.
Then may the Priest say to those who
have been baptized,
God preserve in you the grace of your Baptism without reproach, that
you may obediently keep his commandments and walk worthy of your
Christian calling. Walk by the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil
the lust of the flesh; for the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness,
self-control. Remember always that Baptism represents unto us our
profession, which is to follow the example of our Saviour Christ; and
to be made like unto him; to whom be all glory, now and in
eternity. Amen.
The
Order of Confirmation:
An Alternative Form for the Laying on of Hands
After the Amen, following the Prayer
for the sevenfold gift of the Holy Spirit, the Bishop shall say,
Sign them, O Lord, and mark them to be thine for ever by virtue of
Christ's holy Cross and Passion; mercifully seal them with the inward
unction of the Holy Spirit; that they may attain unto everlasting
life. Amen.
Then the Bishop shall make the sign
of the Cross on their foreheads, with or without the holy Chrism, at
his discretion, and lay his hand on their heads, saying,
N. I sign thee + with the sign of the Cross, and lay my hand upon
thee; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen.
When he has laid his hand on every
candidate, the Bsihop shall say,
Defend, O Lord, these thy children with thy heavenly grace, that they
may continue thine for ever; and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more
and more, until they come unto thine everlasting kingdom. Amen.
The holy Chrism may be used with the
Form appointed in the Book of Common Prayer at the words, Defend,
O Lord.
The Ordering of Priests:
A Permissive Ceremony of Vesting in a Chasuble
After adjusting the stole, the Bishop
may vest each newly ordained Priest in a chasuble, saying,
Take this vesture, which betokens charity; because God is able to give
thee an increase of charity, and so make thee perfect in every good
work to do his will.
The priest shall answer,
Thanks be to God.
Return to the
table of contents of the
Book of
Common Prayer of the CIPBC.