Celebrating Baptismal Anniversaries

Here is a prayer service for celebrating the baptismal anniversary of a family member.

Materials needed: bowl with water (holy water, when possible), Bible, candle (baptismal candle, when possible)

Before beginning the prayer service, select one of these readings from the New Testament: Romans 6:3-5, Galatians 3:26-28, or Ephesians 4:1-6. Have a Bible open to the selected passage.

Set the bowl of water onto a table. Place a lit candle near the bowl. Use the celebrant's baptismal candle if it is available. Gather around the table and select a reader and a leader for the following prayer.

Leader: Today is the day that you, [name], were baptized. On this day you were welcomed as a Christian by your family, and by the Church. Today we will again sign you with the cross, to remember that you were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Let us listen to the words of the Scriptures.

Reader: A reading from [name of book].

(Reader reads the selected passage.)

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Leader: In Baptism we have been filled with the light of Christ. May we walk always as children of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in our hearts. May we live each day knowing our true identity as beloved children of God. And when the Lord comes, may we go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom to live with him forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Invite the group to make the Sign of the Cross on the celebrant's forehead; then invite everyone to sign their own foreheads with holy water. Offer hugs all around and celebrate with a special meal or treat.