megavideolinks
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Joined: 19 Nov 2011
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 Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 9:09 am Post subject: Princess Mary as Godmother: the Liturgy of Baptism |
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The first lens or perspective is that of the liturgy of baptism itself. What does it tell us
about what Princess Mary said and did as she acted as godmother? We may begin by recognizing
the overall structure of this liturgy in late medieval England. It had three parts, the first of which
was called The Order for the Making of a Catechumen; this had to do mostly with the person
who is to be baptized as well as godparents and presiding minister. The second part is called The
Blessing of the Font, and has to do with the water and font used in baptism. The third part is
called Concerning Baptism, that is the baptism itself: the immersion of the child in water with
the Trinitarian formula, followed by the raising of the child from the water. Finally, if a bishop is
present, there is The Confirmation of Children. The first part of the liturgy was celebrated “at the
door of the church”; the second and third parts at the font; confirmation was celebrated, at least
sometimes, at the altar.
When Princess Mary was godmother, she also acted in conjunction with several other
persons, among whom was the priest or bishop who presided. In addition, although neither the
mother nor the father of the child being baptized was present at this liturgy, they would have
chosen Princess Mary to be a godmother. Because baptism was usually celebrated very soon
after the birth of the child, godparents of royal and noble children sometimes stayed at the
parents’ home just before delivery.
Princess Mary’s role as godmother also differed somewhat depending on whether she
was to be godmother “at the font” or “at the confirmation” (which was sometimes called “the 4
bishopping”). Her role also depended on whether the child was female or male. If female, there
were two godmothers and one godfather at the font, plus a godmother at the confirmation. If a
male child, there were two godfathers and one godmother at the font, plus a godfather at the
confirmation. (The godparents collectively were also known as the “gossips”; whereas
previously this term had applied to godmothers only, here it is applied to godfathers as well.)
Before going further, several rubrics having to do with godparents in general may be
quoted from the rite:
Men and women who receive children at baptism are appointed their guarantors before
God, and therefore must frequently admonish them when they are grown or capable of
discipline, that they guard their chastity, love justice, hold to charity, and above all things
are bound to teach them the Lord’s Prayer and angelic salutation, the symbol of the faith
and how to sign themselves with the sign of the cross.
Wherefore persons are not to be received nor admitted as godparents except those who
know the previously stated things, because godparents must instruct their spiritual
children in the faith, which they cannot do unless they themselves have first been
instructed in the faith.
“Sarum Rite,” p 305
The godparents had both verbal and nonverbal roles in the liturgy of baptism.
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gifts from godparents
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