The ideal time for the Baptism of Adults is the Easter Vigil
Mass. Indeed, the reception of converts into the Faith is an
integral part of the Easter Vigil. The preparation for
reception of adults into the Church is usually conducted
through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
which begins months before, and finally culminates in
Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist, all within the
Easter Vigil.
The celebration of the Sacraments of
Initiation follows the priest’s homily. First the Baptismal
Water is blessed. The blessing is initially the same used
for infant Baptisms throughout the year, recalling the
waters of creation, the waters of the Great Flood as well as
the waters of the Red Sea through which Israel walked dry
shod and the waters of the Jordan River in which our Lord
Himself was baptized, and ultimately the Water and Blood
that flowed from Christ’s side as He hung on the Cross.
The Blessing recalls the entire History of Salvation.
At this point in the Easter Vigil the priest takes the
Paschal Candle and lowers it into the Baptismal Water
three times saying, “We ask You Father with Your Son to
send the Holy Spirit upon the Waters of this font.” Then
holding the Candle in the Water he continues: “May all who
are buried with Christ in the death of Baptism rise with Him
to newness of life …” (These words are recalled in the
Funeral Rite when the body of the deceased is met at the
entrance of the Church with almost the exact same words).
Once the Paschal Candle has been returned to its stand
those to be baptized make a three-fold renunciation of the
devil and then a three-fold profession of Faith. This is the
same as Parents and Godparents do for an infant, but in
this case the Adult being baptized makes these promises
himself. He is then baptized either by a three-fold
immersion in water or by a three-fold pouring of water over
his head as the priest says, “I baptize you in the Name of
the Father,” (water); “and of the Son,” (water); “and of the
Holy Spirit,” (water). The newly baptized may now be
presented with a white garment, symbolizing new life in
Christ, but this is optional. Not optional is the presentation
of the Baptismal Candle which is given to the Godparents
to light from the Paschal Candle who then give it to the
newly baptized. The Sacrament of Confirmation follows
immediately. The priest lays his hands on the head of the
newly baptized and prays for the Holy Spirit to be sent
down upon them. He then anoints them with the Sacred
Chrism (which had been consecrated by the Bishop the
previous Thursday), making the sign of the Cross on the
forehead of the Confirmandi as he says, “Be sealed with
the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” They then exchange the sign of
peace. At this point the entire congregation renews its
baptismal promises with the same three-fold renunciation
of the devil and three-fold profession of Faith, and the
priest sprinkles everyone with the Baptismal Water. The
Liturgy of the Eucharist follows. At Communion time the
newly received will make their first Communions.
While it is strongly encouraged that Adult Baptisms take
place at the Easter Vigil, they may take place at other times
during the year. The essentials of the Rite remain the