Readings for the Conferral of
Infant Baptism

List of Readings:

The following readings are prescribed in the Lectionary for Mass (LM, Latin 2nd edition 1981, USA 2002), sections 756-760,
as well as in the Order of Baptism of Children (OBC, Latin 2nd edition 1973, USA 2020), numbers 186-215:

*NOTE: Matt 28:18-20 is the primary option in most chapters of the OBC, while Mark 1:9-11; Mark 10:13-16; and John 3:1-6 are also explicitly suggested in OBC chapters I, II, and VI.
Yet in almost all circumstances, one may choose from any of the readings in OBC 186-215, depending on "the pastoral needs of the faithful and the character of the liturgical day" (#269).

Overview of the Readings:

Here are brief synopses of the main readings (the "headings" given above the readings in the LM and the OBC), along with the prescribed refrains for the Responsorial Psalms and the texts of the Alleluia verses.

Readings from the Old Testament (3 options): LM#756; OBC##186-188

1. Exod 17:3-7 – Give us water to drink.
2. Ezek 36:24-28 – I shall pour clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities.
3. Ezek 47:1-9, 12 – I saw water flowing from the temple, and all who were touched by it were saved
   (see Roman Missal, antiphon for blessing and sprinkling holy water during Easter Time).

Readings from the New Testament (6 options): LM#757; OBC##189-194

1. Rom 6:3-5 – Buried with him through baptism into death, we too might live in newness of life.
2. Rom 8:28-32 – To be conformed to the image of his Son.
3. 1 Cor 12:12-13 – For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body.
4. Gal 3:26-28 – All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
5. Eph 4:1-6 – There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
6. 1 Pet 2:4-5, 9-10 – You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood.

Responsorial Psalm (3 options): LM#758; OBC##195-197

1. Ps 23:1b-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 – The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
2. Ps 27:1bcde, 4, 8b-9abc, 13-14 – The Lord is my light and my salvation.
   or: Wake up and rise from death; Christ will shine upon you!
3. Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 8-9, 14-15, 16-17, 18-19 – Look to him, that you may be radiant with joy.
   or: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Alleluia Verse and Verse before the Gospel (6 options): LM#759; OBC##198-203

1. John 3:16 – God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
2. John 8:12 – I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
3. John 14:6 – I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, except through me.
4. Eph 4:5-6a – There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and the Father of all.
5. See 2 Tim 1:10 – Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.
6. 1 Pet 2:9 – You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation: announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Gospel (12 options): LM#760; OBC##204-215

1. Matt 22:35-40 – This is the greatest and the first commandment.
2. Matt 28:18-20 – Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
3. Mark 1:9-11 – Jesus was baptized in the Jordan by John.
4. Mark 10:13-16 – Let the children come to me; do not prevent them.
5. Mark 12:28b-34 or 12:28b-31 – Hear, O Israel! You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart.
6. John 3:1-6 – No one can see the Kingdom of God without being born from above.
7. John 4:5-14 – A spring of water welling up to eternal life.
8. John 6:44-47 – Whoever believes has eternal life.
9. John 7:37b-39a – Rivers of living water will flow.
10. John 9:1-7 – So he went and washed and came back able to see.
11. John 15:1-11 – Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
12. John 19:31-35 – One soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out.
    

Rubrics (Instructions):

The Lectionary for Mass (LM ##756-760) simply lists the reading options, without further instructions about which or how many readings may be chosen.
The various sections of the Order of Baptism of Children (OBC, 2020) give the following more detailed instructions, including the rather exceptional rubric that one could read two different Gospel texts!

Chapter I: Order of Baptism for Several Children (##44-46):

BIBLICAL READINGS AND HOMILY

44. If it seems appropriate, one, or even two, of the following passages is read, while all are seated.

Mt 28:18-20: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (no. 205).

Mk 1:9-11: Jesus was baptized in the Jordan by John (no. 206).

Mk 10:13-16: Let the children come to me; do not prevent them (no. 207).

Jn 3:1-6: No one can see the Kingdom of God without being born from above (no. 209).

The passages that are to be found at nos. 186-194 and 204-215, or others suited to the wishes or needs of the parents, may also be chosen.
Between the Readings, the Responsorial Psalms or the Verses provided in nos.195-203 may be sung.

45. After the Reading, the celebrant preaches a brief homily in which light is shed on what has been read, and those present are led to a deeper understanding of the mystery of Baptism and to a more eager fulfillment of the responsibility that arises from it, especially for parents and godparents.

46. After the Hornily, or after the Litany, or even during the Litany, it is recommended that there be a period of silence in which all, invited by the celebrant, pray in their hearts. There follows, if the situation warrants, a suitable liturgical song, chosen, for example, from among those provided in nos. 225-245.

Note: The same instructions are also given in "Chapter II: Order of Baptism for One Child" (##81-83) and in "Chapter VI: Order of Bringing a Baptized Child to the Church" (##172-174).

Chapter III: Order of Baptism for a Large Number of Children (##112-113):

BIBLICAL READINGS AND HOMILY

112. The celebrant invites the parents and godparents and the others present to take part in the celebration of the Word of God. He may read verses 18-20 of chapter 28 of the Gospel according to Matthew, about the mission of the Apostles to preach the Gospel and to baptize (no. 205). Other passages, listed in nos. 44 or 186-194 and 204-215, may also be chosen.

113. After the Reading, the celebrant preaches a brief homily in which light is shed on what has been read, and those present are led to a deeper understanding of the mystery of Baptism and to a more eager fulfillment of the responsibility that arises from it, especially for parents and godparents.
 

Chapter IV: Order of Baptism of Children to be Used by Catechists in the Absence of a Priest or Deacon (##112-113):

READING AND HOMILY OR INSTRUCTION

137. The catechist invites the parents and godparents and the others present to take part in the celebration of the Word of God. Verses 18-20 of chapter 28 of the Gospel according to Matthew, about the mission of the Apostles to preach the Gospel and to baptize, may be read (no. 205), or the passages listed at nos. 186-194 and 204-215. Psalms and liturgical songs, if required, may be found at nos. 195-203. After the Reading a brief homily may be given by the catechist, in a manner determined by the Bishop.

138. In place of the biblical Reading and homily mentioned above, the catechist, in case of necessity, may read this instruction:

When Christ sent out his Apostles with these words:
''Go forth, teach all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,''
he entrusted Baptism to his Church,
by which he will come to meet these children.
In such a great Sacrament, children are set free from sin,
become members of the Church and sons and daughters of God,
and so, as you know, will be graced with countless gifts.
Since all these things are wholly beyond human reach,
they must be humbly sought in faith by our assembly.
And God our Father,
hearing the voice of Christ in our common prayer
and recognizing the faith of the Church,
will now, in the power of his Holy Spirit,
bestow on these beloved children
what he has promised at the coming of his Son.
 

Chapter V: Order of Baptism of Children in Danger of Death, or at the Point of Death, to be Used in the Absence of a Priest or Deacon (##112-113):

[No scriptural readings are recommended in such cases.]
 

Appendix: Order of Baptism of Children within Mass

Order of Baptism for Several Children within Mass (##269-270)

BIBLICAL READINGS AND HOMILY

269. The celebrant invites the parents, godparents, and others present to take part in the Liturgy of the Word. The children to be baptized may be taken to a separate place, until the celebration of the Word of God is completed.

The Liturgy of the Word is celebrated in the usual manner. At Sunday Masses, the readings are taken from the Mass of the day. During Christmas Time and Ordinary Time, and at weekday Masses, they may also be taken from those which are given in the Lectionary for Mass (nos. 756-760) or in this Order (nos. 44, 186-215).

When a Ritual Mass is not permitted, one of the readings may be taken from the texts provided for the Baptism of children, having due regard for the pastoral needs of the faithful and the character of the liturgical day.

270. After the Readings, the celebrant preaches the Homily, which is based on the sacred text, but should take into consideration the Baptism being celebrated.

Order of Baptism for Several Children within Mass (##307-308)

[The same instructions are given as in #269-270, except for the omission of the second sentence of #269:
  "The children to be baptized may be taken to a separate place, until the celebration of the Word of God is completed."]

Final Note: All of the same biblical readings were already included in the previous edition of the Rite of Baptism for Children (2004),
but the English translations of the Introductions and the Rubrics are significantly different (and expanded) in the 2020 edition of the OBC, and the "Appendix" is newly added.

Contents of the Lectionary for Mass, Volume 4:
Commons | Rituals | Various Needs & Occasions | Votive Masses | Masses for the Dead

See also the Weekday Readings for the Liturgical Seasons:
Advent and Christmas | Lent | Easter | Ordinary Time: Year I | Ordinary Time: Year II | Saints and Feast Days

Source: Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition,
© 2001, 1998, 1992, 1986, 1970, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C.

The Lectionary for Mass used in the USA is based on the Ordo Lectionum Missae, editio typical altera (Latin Lectionary, second edition, 1981).

For the full texts of the readings for the current and upcoming months,
please refer to the official website of the New American Bible, sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.