Q: Is it advisable, appropriate, permissible to break up the celebration of the Rite of Baptism for Children so that the ‘Reception of the Children’ – that is the questioning – takes place in the Introductory Rite at Sunday Mass, and the actual Baptism is celebrated at another time outside Mass? I appreciate the pastoral reality the ministers are seeking to address, but not sure the nexus between the questioning and the baptism ought to be broken. At the most recent encounter with this practice the Godparents were not present for the ‘Reception of the Child’ as Sunday Mass. I would appreciate your wisdom. Thank you.
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A: I’ve heard from colleagues in Australia that it is somewhat common to divide baptism in this way, but the rite makes no provision for it. The example you cite is only one very good reason why it’s not good to celebrate one baptism in two different liturgical events. Another is that it breaks the integrity of the baptism, which is a single liturgy that may be integrated within the Mass or celebrated outside Mass, but not both.
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