Following Pope Benedict XVI’s Summorum Pontificum (2007) granting greater awareness of (and access to) the various Catholic rites of the usus antiquior, many parishes in the broader Church have witnessed increased interest and requests for those contained in the older edition of the Rituale Romanum. The old order of solemn baptism is arguably the most powerful example, as this rite has long been considered one of the most impactful ceremonies of the Roman Rite.

As well it should be, considering the surpassing miracle it achieves: the justification of a sinner, configuration unto Christ, the transformation of one child of wrath into a child of God, a temple for the indwelling of the Blessed Trinity.

Consider an excerpt from the old rite, taken from the First Imposition of Hands:

Almighty, everlasting God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, look graciously down upon this Thy servant, N., whom Thou hast graciously called unto the beginnings of the Faith; drive out from him (her) all blindness of heart; break all the snares of Satan wherewith he (she) was held: open unto him (her), O Lord, the gate of Thy loving kindness, that, being impressed with the sign of Thy wisdom, he (she) may be free from the foulness of all wicked desires, and in the sweet odor of Thy precepts may joyfully serve Thee in Thy Church, and grow in grace from day to day [and, by the salt that heals, he (she) may be ready to profit by the grace of Thy Baptism that he (she) has received.] Through the same Christ our Lord.

Or this strong bit from the First Exorcism:

Therefore, accursed devil, acknowledge thy condemnation and pay homage to the living and true God: give honor to Jesus Christ His Son, and to the Holy Ghost; and depart from this servant of God, N., for our God and Lord Jesus Christ hath vouchsafed to call him (her) to His holy grace and benediction and to the font of Baptism.

Why these beautiful prayers were completely excised from the Novus Ordo rite of Baptism is anybody’s guess. Of course, these were not the only elements to be thrown out: gone also are the Exsufflation Outside the Church, the First and Second Impositions of Hands, the Imposition of Salt (one of our favorites), the First and Second Solemn Exorcism (as if we had less need of those), the Solemn Recital of the Creed, the First Anointing prior to Baptism, etc…

…while in their place, we find happy-dappy petitionary prayers like:

“Bathe this child in light, give him (her) the new life of baptism and welcome him (her) into your holy Church.” “Lord, hear our prayer.”

But enough of that. Back to the good stuff.
If you know a priest or parish that could benefit from a box of traditional baptism programs that both contain and describe the classical rite, our Parish Pack of Latin-English booklets makes a great gift.

For those new to the traditional rites, this printable booklet program makes for a great take-home resource to study and learn more – and with a cover page custom-designed to reflect your parish information, it also serves for a bit of promotion.

Parish Pack includes:

• Thirty (x30) customized, 12-page printed booklets
• Electronic file of customized program (PDF)
• Unlimited future print and distribution rights

The granting of print rights is noteworthy here, as one purchase grants each parish access to their own customized digital file, and thus the ability to inexpensively print unlimited future copies at their own parish office or elsewhere.

Baptism Program includes:

• Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur
• Complete Latin formulae and liturgical directions per the 1962 Rituale
• Approved English translations of the entire rite
• Rich illustrations
• Explanatory notes and excerpts from Fathers and Doctors of the Church
• Additional prayers, e.g. the “Churching of Women”

Help us spread the traditional rites!

Priests: Add this resource to your parish library so that your next baptism is both orderly and instructive; and send guests home with their own copy to ponder!

Laity: Make a Parish Pack an early Christmas gift to your favorite priest, or send one as a surprise donation to that “Tradition-friendly” pastor down the street!