In an age of decreasing Mass attendance and increasing religious disaffiliation, many Catholics argue that apologetics is the way to revive the faithful. We have somehow convinced ourselves that if we study the Catechism we can better know, defend, and bring people to the faith. While this is not untrue, it suggests that religious truths are best learned through careful study of doctrinal texts and clear articulation of the findings. But there is another way.
Liturgy is the primary embodiment and articulation of our faith. Even more simply, our liturgy reveals what we believe. So often we think of lex orandi, lex credendi in the context of Eucharistic celebrations, and rightly so, for often it is Sunday celebrations of Eucharist that most people in the pews experience most frequently.
But this tenet of liturgical theology expands far beyond the Eucharist. The Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony and Penance and more all reveal fundamental truths about our faith. We can either engage or ignore this liturgical hermeneutic.
As we approach the season of Lent, many parishes will hold penitential celebrations. This is an opportunity, then, to examine the truths contained within the Order of Penance. Specifically, as the season of Lent is one of preparation for reception or renewal of Baptism, examining the Rite in this light is an important opportunity for Baptismal truth-telling.
New to the most recent edition of the Order of Penance are examples of penitential celebrations. Acknowledging that penitential celebrations need to consider the circumstances of the specific group or community, “various and diverse examples of penitential celebrations are presented here” (OP 3) as models that can be adapted. The first example explicitly connects the Penitential Celebration to Baptism and “emphasizes penance as a strengthening or restoring baptismal grace” (OP 7).
The opening prayer beautifully articulates this relationship: “Let us pray, brothers and sisters, that we, who through our sins were unmindful of the grace of Baptism, may now be restored to that grace through penance” (OP 9). What an image to be “unmindful of the grace of Baptism”! It acknowledges that we are often not as mindful as we should be of our baptismal call in a way that is not condescending, but rather as a statement of reality. Perhaps this can be incorporated into the Prayers of the Faithful throughout the Lenten season. For example, something as simple as: “For the times we as individuals and a community have been unmindful of the grace of Baptism.”
Following the proclamation of Scripture, the Order of Penance notes that the homily may address:
“the need to fulfill the grace of Baptism by living faithfully the Gospel of Christ, the seriousness of sin committed after Baptism, the infinite mercy of our God and Father, who again and again welcomes us back to him after having sinned, and Easter as the feast when the Church rejoices over the Christian Initiation of Catechumens and the Reconciliation of Penitents” (OP Appendix 1, 11).
In my experience, we so often hear Lenten homilies about God’s mercy and the need for repentance without any mention of Baptism. If anything, this sample celebration provides fodder for celebrants and homilists to make that connection more explicit throughout the season. The instruction continues: “In a special way the people should examine their conscience on the baptismal promises that will be renewed at the Easter Vigil” (OP Appendix 1, 12). This also offers an option for the presider to introduce the Penitential Rite of Sunday Eucharist during the Lenten season in a similar manner: “Let us call to mind our sins as we prepare to renew our Baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil.”
Finally, my favorite element of this example celebration is the inclusion of a sprinkling with holy water as part of the Penitential Act. The instructions state, “Then the Priest sprinkles those present with holy water while all sing: Sprinkle me with hyssop, O Lord, and I shall be cleansed; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow” (OP Appendix 1, 13). This opportunity to expand our baptismal imagination during the season of Lent using this sign and symbol helps make a tangible connection to the soon-approaching opportunity to renew one’s baptismal promises at Easter (along with those who are preparing to make these promises for the first time!). Plus, who doesn’t love a good sprinkling?
Beyond the example penitential celebration, the Order of Penance is filled with rich baptismal imagery and theology. Consider the opening prayer in the Order for Reconciling Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution:
“Set your Spirit in our midst, O Lord, to wash us in the cleansing waters of repentance and to make of us a living sacrifice to you, so that, as he gives us life, we may everywhere praise your glory and confess your mercy” (OP 50).
Following the general formula for confession, the gathered assembly stands and sings a litany or other appropriate liturgical song. The provided litany prays “That those whose Baptism has been sullied by the stain of sin may be restored to their former splendor” (OP 54). Additionally, the Various Texts to be Used in the Celebration of Reconciliation includes Romans 6, the text used to describe Baptism as new life in Christ, and Matthew 3, the story of John the Baptist’s dialogues of baptism and repentance.
It is not surprising that the Order of Penance is filled with baptismal truth-telling. The challenge and opportunity, however, is to highlight this theology within the context of Penance and the season of Lent. Lent is baptismal in nature and the Order of Penance clearly articulates this theology. As we look forward to Lent and celebrations of the Sacrament of Penance, let us pray that we may remain open to this truth telling.