Q: Can you speak to the change from “rite” to “order”, as in the “Order of Baptism”?
Why the change? Are the terms interchangeable in the church?
Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
==
A: The translators are now giving you “Order” when the Latin says “Ordo” and they’re giving you “Rite” when the Latin says “Ritus”.
That was not true of the first translations. Many orders were called rites in English. There’s been no change to the Latin, but there is often a change in th revised English.
In general, an order is a complete order of service than may include individual rites. For example, the Order of Baptism for Children begins with a Rite of Receiving the Children.