Baptismal memory
In the various denominations, a rite in which Christians commemorate their baptism is called baptismal memory or baptism remembrance .
Baptismal memory in the Roman Catholic Church
holy water
Holy water is used in the memory of baptism . The holy water is in a holy water basin at the church entrance . Upon entering the church, it is common for the sign of the cross to take holy water. This is a reminder of the baptism through which Christians became part of the communion of the Church. In some churches this is particularly clear because the holy water font is also the baptismal font. Holy water can also be taken home by believers.
Easter night
The most noble place of the baptismal memory, combined with a renewal of the baptismal promise by the congregation, is the celebration of Easter Vigil in the Catholic Church , the third part of which is the baptism celebration. It consists of the consecration of the baptismal water and the giving of baptism if there are baptismal applicants ; in any case, however, the Abrenuntiatio diaboli and the renewal of the baptismal confession of the whole community belong to the liturgy . The priest speaks during the blessing prayer:
“Dear brothers and sisters! We ask the Lord to bless this water that is now sprinkled with us. The consecrated water should remind us of baptism: but God renew his grace in us so that we may remain true to the spirit that we have received. "
The consecration of baptismal water follows. Then those present in the Abrenuntiatio diaboli deny evil and profess their faith on the basis of the Apostolicum by answering the questions of the priest with “I disagree” and “I believe”. They hold burning Easter lights in their hands. The priest concludes with the prayer:
“Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, gave us new life out of the water and the Holy Spirit and forgave us all sins. May he keep us for eternal life by his grace in Christ Jesus our Lord. "
Then he sprinkles the community with the newly consecrated Easter water, while the community sings the antiphon Vidi aquam ( Ez 47.1-2.9) or a baptismal song.
The Sunday baptismal memory
In a similar form, it is possible in every Holy Mass to commemorate a baptismal memorial in place of the confession of guilt . The Sunday baptismal remembrance consists of an invitation to prayer, if necessary the blessing prayer over the water, the sprinkling of the congregation and the final oration. During the sprinkling, the chanting of the antiphon Asperges me (according to Ps 51,9) is planned (in Easter time the antiphon Vidi aquam ). That is why the device with which the sprinkling is carried out is called Aspergill . The baptismal memory is possible every Sunday.
Baptism and blessings
When holy water is taken to give a blessing, the connection between baptism and blessing is expressed in a particularly obvious way. In some Catholic families it is customary for parents to bless their children with holy water. After Compline , it is customary in some monasteries and other spiritual communities to bless the members of the community and the guests by sprinkling holy water.
Baptism memory in the Protestant church
In the area of the EKD the terms baptismal memory and baptismal memory are common. “Baptism establishes a lifelong journey of faith. The memory of baptism serves to strengthen and reassure and should be celebrated regularly. ”The VELKD has developed a liturgical manual for this purpose; for the ICE there are corresponding regulations and building blocks in their baptismal register.
Baptism memory in the church year
A baptismal memory can be included at any time as a component in the course of a divine service; the baptismal memory is particularly recommended:
- in Easter time
- in connection with the confirmation
- in baptismal services
- in Sunday services, the proprium of which is related to baptism (1st Sunday after Epiphany, Trinity , 6th Sunday after Trinity, eternity Sunday )
Baptismal memory
Depending on local conditions, the congregation can gather around the baptismal site or go there in procession. Baptism reminder can take place in the following ways:
- song
- Salutation (ends with: "God spoke his yes to us in baptism. Let us (stand up and) speak the confession of our faith.")
- Apostolic Creed
- (Prayer)
- Invitation to come to the baptismal font and touch the water in order to become aware of your own baptism. Alternatively, the liturgist can draw a cross with water on the forehead or in the hand of all those approaching and say a word of blessing.
- song
Ecumenical perspective
At the General Synod in Timmendorf in 2012, the VELKD's Catholica Commissioner, Regional Bishop Friedrich Weber , suggested using the joint celebration of the baptismal memory of Catholic and Protestant Christians as an ecumenical opportunity, since both churches agree theologically on baptism. The rite at the closing service of the Ecumenical Church Congress 2003 in Berlin to bless each other with water has been recognized as a “formative ecumenical aspect” on various occasions.
The baptismal memory was earlier more firmly rooted in the Roman Catholic Church. But christening candles have gained in importance in Protestant families in recent years. These are lit as a family ritual on certain occasions or brought into church when siblings are baptized.
Baptismal memory in the Anglican Church
The Archbishop's Council of the Church of England has submitted a liturgical form (last version from 2006) consisting of a Renewal of baptismal vows and a prayer of thanks for the baptismal grace. The leader of the liturgy introduces: In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvelous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him. Therefore I ask: ... and then uses six questions to determine the willingness to oppose evil and trust God. After the request May almighty God who has given you the desire to follow Christ give you the strength to continue in the way. the Apostles' Creed is spoken.
Baptism Memory and Renewal
Occasionally one comes across the term baptism renewal. There is a belief in all Christian churches that baptism can only be donated once. With the renewal of the renewal of baptism is Tauf commitment meant that includes the promise to live decided according to the baptismal covenants.
Churches of the Baptist tradition understand the baptism of believing adults as the one and only baptism, not as the renewal of a baptism that may have been donated in childhood.
literature
Roman Catholic Church
- Article baptismal memory. In: Lexicon for Theology and Church . Vol. 9: San to Thomas. Herder, 3rd, completely revised edition. Freiburg (Breisgau) et al. 2000, ISBN 3-451-22009-1 , Sp. 1300ff.
- Missal . The celebration of Holy Mass. For the dioceses of the German-speaking area. Volume 1: Sundays and public holidays in German and Latin. Holy Week German. Published on behalf of the Bishops' Conferences of Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as the Bishops of Luxembourg, Bozen-Brixen and Liège. Benziger et al., Einsiedeln et al. 1975.
- Martin Stuflesser: Liturgical memory of the one baptism. Reflections in an ecumenical context. Herder, Freiburg (Breisgau) et al. 2004, ISBN 3-451-28519-3 (also: Münster, Univ., Habil.-Schr., 2003/2004).
Protestant church
- VELKD (Ed.): The celebration of the baptismal memory. Liturgical handout. EVA, Leipzig 2013. ISBN 978-3-374-05562-3 . The older version from 2007 is available online ( PDF ).
- Judith Augustin, Heinz Behrends (Hrsg.): Baptism and memory of baptism. Actions - projects - celebrations (= practical community work. Volume 3). Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 2010. ISBN 978-3-525-58015-8 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Church Office of the EKD. Divine service presentations by the VELKD and the UEK (ed.): The baptism. Draft for testing . Hanover 2018, p. 27 .
- ^ Church office of the EKD, divine service lectures of the VELKD and the UEK (ed.): The baptism. Draft for testing . Hanover 2018, p. 291 .
- ↑ Friedrich Weber: "In the crowd of those who celebrate." Invite each other - celebrate together. (PDF) November 3, 2012, accessed October 4, 2018 .