Abrenuntio

Today, I Baptized my third child in the old form according to the 1962 Missal The priest who presided over the Baptism just celebrated his 56th year of ordination to the priesthood. It was the first time in 40 years that he had followed the old form, now called the extraordinary form of Baptism. As my wife and I worked with the liturgy and as we worked with the priest while conducting our pre-baptismal evaluation, the priest became more excited and intrigued with his confrontation with the old form, just as we were trying to uncover the deeper mysteries of our faith that confronted us. About 40 people attended the Baptism; Catholics, Protestants, non-believers and fallen away Catholics filled the pews, each a friend or relative, each were struck in a different way. My conservative protestant father in-law had to confront his own belief system, the infant baptism conducted in Latin is such a striking contrast to a protestant view of an adult believers baptism. My father-law attended for the first time one of our children's Baptisms so progress was made. My wife and I now wait for for stories of the others attendees, we will soon hear about their confrontation with Jesus and their "Abrenuntio". After the Baptism our priest was so energized and zealous for the Lord, he announced to another priest at our parish that was going to start saying private Mass in Latin and they were planning the introduction of the Latin Mass at our large city parish. What is striking about the Baptism was the total inclusion of the God-parents in the Baptism and their participation was so vital to the ritual. They are now meaningfully a participant in the greater work of Christ and our child's Salvation history and even though they are our relatives, the familial bond is much more pronounced. What has been redacted from the ordinary form of Baptism is the "Benedictio salis" or the "Benediction of salt" the use of salt is such powerful weapon against the dark spirit and prepares you for your confrontation with Christ and your "Abrenuntio". You then are brought into the eternal battle with satanae. The first part of the Baptism is conducted outside the door of the church and was reminiscent to the "purgative" section of the Spiritual Exercises. The priest then leads the child into the Church cleansed and awaiting the saving waters of Baptism. Then the Credo, the Exorcismus, the Ephpheta and the "Abrenuntio". Then comes the healing; The Olea Salutis, the Credis in Deam, the Vis Baptizari, the Ego te Baptizo, the Chrismate salutes, the Perferas Immaculatam, the Accipe Lampadem and finally the Vade in Pace. To a follower of Christ the Baptism is rejecting all things evil and embracing the all and perfect good in Christ. Yet the Abrenuntio is the same act as embracing the all and perfect good. Every time a Catholic man mows his lawn, changes a diaper, dresses his children, clears the plates after dinner and embraces his mother in law, he is saying with a loud voice, "Abrenuntio"!