Jul 8, 2019

Holy See Confirms Order of Baptism of Children, Second Edition

From the May 2019 Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship Newsletter

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has confirmed the Order of Baptism of Children, Second Edition for the dioceses of the United States. The decree of confirmation is dated April 11, 2019 (Prot. n. 163/18), and was received by the USCCB [United States Conference of Catholic Bishops] on May 7. Originally prepared by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), the updated translation was done in accord with the principles of Liturgiam Authenticam but does not change the Baptismal ritual itself.

All the textual amendments made by the USCCB to the ICEL text were confirmed by the Congregation, as were all five adaptations proposed by the USCCB: 1) the text of an optional introductory monition, 2) the addition of a sample acclamation after each Baptism, 3) harmonized rubrics incorporating previously approved U.S. ritual variations, 4) the option to use an expanded Litany of the Saints, and 5) a new appendix for the Baptism of children within Mass. Once the Secretariat of Divine Worship completes its standard review process, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, USCCB President, will promulgate a decree of publication establishing the implementation date(s).

The Editors