Deus Nos Conjuxit: Anastasia's Baptism

On Sunday we had our sweet Anastasia Rose baptized. Father performed the ceremony using the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (i.e. pre-Vatican II). It was beautiful! We bought her a rose-colored bonnet for her middle name, and her beautiful gown had roses. Father even used rose-scented incense at Mass.

Father began by telling everyone what would happen-

Then we began "outside of the church"-

Father posted the picture above on Facebook and someone commented:

"For me, the photo really evokes peace and beauty. The light flowing over the party takes on a symbolic piece. And the Franciscan standing to the side, evokes both the Church militant to which the baptized will join and the Saints who watch over us with care. And the Sacred Heart in the window...the care that Jesus gives to those who rest in Him. It has a timeless quality."

Isn't that beautiful? In the Extraordinary Form of baptism the Godparents hold the child for the entire ceremony- so the light in that photo is coming by Anastasia. It is so precious to me.

V: Anastasia Rose, what do you ask of the church of God?
R: The Faith.
V: What does the faith offer you?
R: Eternal life.
V: If, then, you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments: you shall love the Lord your God will your whole heart, and with your whole would, and with your whole mind, and your neighbor as yourself.

Father then breathes lightly three times on the face of the infant and says:

V: Depart from her, unclean spirit and give place to the Holy Spirit, the Consoler.

After other prayers, the priest lays his hand on the head of the infant and says-

V: Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, look with favor upon this Your servant, Anastasia Rose, whom You have called to take her first steps in the faith. Take from her all blindness of heart. Free her from the snares of Satan which until now have held her. Open to her, Lord, the gate of Your mercy. Then, seasoned by the salt which is symbolic of Your wisdom, may she be relieved of the corruption of evil desires; and finding pleasure in the keeping of Your commandments, may she serve You in Your Church and make progress from day to day in the way of perfection. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.

The priest prays an exorcism of the salt in Latin, and then puts a morsel of blessed salt upon the tongue of the infant-

V: Anastasia, receive the salt, which is a symbol of wisdom. May it bring you God's favor for life everlasting.
R: Amen.
V: Peace be with you.
R: And with your spirit.
V: Let us pray. God of our fathers, God, the author of all truth, we humbly ask You to look with favor in this Your servant, Anastasia Rose, who has had her first taste of blessed food in the form of salt. Satisfy her with the bread of heaven, so that she may be forever fervent in spirit, joyful in hope, and zealous in Your service. We ask You, Lord, to lead her to the waters in which she will be born again, so that she, with all who believe in You, may obtain the unending rewards which You have promised. Through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.

(She wasn't a fan of the salt) -

And now the exorcism (In Latin)-

V: I cast you out, unclean spirit, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Depart and stay far away from this servant of God, Anastasia Rose. For it is the Lord Himself Who commands you, accursed and doomed spirit. He Who walked on the sea and reached out His hand to Peter as he was sinking.
V: So then, foul fiend, recall the curse that decided your fate once for all. Indeed, pay homage to the living and true God, pay homage to Jesus Christ, His Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Keep far from this servant of God, Anastasia Rose, for Jesus Christ, our Lord and God has freely called her to His holy grace and blessed way and to the waters of Baptism.

Making the Sign of the Cross on the forehead of the infant, the priest says (In Latin)-
V: Accursed devil, never dare to desecrate this sign of the Holy Cross which we are tracing upon her forehead. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.

After another prayer, the priest places the end of his stole on the infant and admits her into the Church, saying:

V: Anastasia Rose, enter into the temple of God, so that you may have part with Christ in everlasting life.
R: Amen.

Then we prayed together the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer. The priest then prays a third exorcism in Latin and then wetting his right thumb with spittle from his mouth, and with it touching in the form of the cross, first the rights and then the left ear of the infant, says:

V: Ephpheta, quod est, Adaperire. (Be opened)

Then touching the infant's nostril, the priest adds (In Latin)-

V: And perceive the fragrance of God's loving ways. Bug you, evil spirit, begone, for the judgment of God has come.

Now at the Baptismal Font, the priest asks,

V: Anastasia Rose, do you renounce Satan?
R: I do renounce him.
V: And all his works?
R: I do renounce him.
V: And all his allurements?
R: I do renounce them.

The priest dips his thumb into the Oil of Catechumens and anoints the infant to be baptized on the breast and between the shoulders, in the form of a cross, saying:

V: I anoint you with the oil that sanctifies in Christ Jesus our Lord, that you may have everlasting life.''

V: Anastasia Rose, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Yes, I was crying. And sweet girl was quiet and peaceful. :)

The priest now dips his thumb in the Holy Chrism and anoints the infant just baptized on the crown of the head in the form of a ross and says (in Latin)-

V: The Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has caused you to be born over again of water and the Holy Ghost and pardoned you all your sins. May He now anoint you with the Chrism that sanctifies in Christ Jesus our Lord, and bring you to everlasting life.

The priest now places on the child a white linen cloth, saying:

V: Receive this white garment. Never let it become stained, so that, when you stand before the judgement seat of Our Lord Jesus Christ, you may have life everlasting.
A: Amen.

The child's baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal Candle, which represents Jesus Christ.

V: Receive this burning light, and keep the grace of your Baptism throughout a blameless life. Observe the commandments of God. Then, when the Lord comes to the heavenly wedding feast, you will be able to meet Him with all the Saints in the halls of heaven, and life forever and ever.
R: Amen.
V: Anastasia Rose, go in peace and the Lord be with you.
R: Amen.

We dedicated Anastasia Rose to the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary and prayed a Hail Mary prayer.

Such a beautiful and holy day!

After her baptism we went to the 11:00 Mass- she was a good girl. :)

Then we went to the 2nd Sunday potluck that our church has. We bought her a delicious strawberry cake from Edgar's, but we thought the writing was really subpar and off-center. So I added a ceramic cross to make it look better. :)