Baptism of the Lord

The feast of the Baptism of the Lord, our commemoration of the institution of the sacrament of baptism, is the last feast of the Christmas season and is usually observed on the Sunday following January 6.

The calendar sometimes causes it to fall on a Monday, but in its usual Sunday slot, it offers an excellent opportunity for parishes to focus on baptism by using the rite of blessing and sprinkling holy water or to celebrate the sacrament during Mass, especially if this not the usual custom.

The Baptism of the Lord launches us right into winter Ordinary Time with its concentration on the earlier public life and preaching of Jesus.

This bulletin insert was written by Marion Eagen, a liturgist and musician in the diocese of Scranton, Pa. © 2002 Resource Publications, Inc., 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505. All rights reserved