The tragic death of a baby in Romania who drowned in the baptismal font has prompted thousands of people to call on the Church to change the ritual – and stop submerging new-born infants in water. A ...

To emphasize that the sacrament of baptism formally brings a person into the church of God and not just into a local Christian community, the Vatican has ordered a slight change of wording in the ...

As Western Christian churches Sunday celebrated the feast of the Epiphany marking the visitation of the Magi or wise men to the Christ Child in Bethlehem, many Eastern Christian churches celebrated ...

“What name do you give your child?” This is the first question of the baptismal rite. Before we ask about faith, before we speak of the duties of parents and godparents, we ask for the child’s name.

(RNS) The new wording, approved on Sunday (July 13), only asks whether parents and godparents will "turn away from sin" and "reject evil." CANTERBURY, England (RNS) While Christians waited to learn ...

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. — Matthew 3 ...

Pastor Steve Wells started a tradition at South Main Baptist Church. During a baptism, he first asks the family to stand in honor of the person about to receive the rite. Then, he summons the entire ...

Sunday, Feb. 18, is the First Sunday of Lent. Mass readings: Genesis 9:8-15; Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9.; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15. On the First Sunday of Lent, the readings turn to a very baptismal ...