Baptism in the Hispanic-Mozarabic Liturgy

Abstract

Celebration of the sacrament of baptism in the Hispanic-Mozarabic Rite, as in other liturgical families, was preceded by a period of the catechumenate to which the candidates were introduced by the special rite celebrated on Sunday in vicesima. This article analyzes the course of the celebration of the sacraments of initiation according to the norms from a revised rite and with reference to the earlier tradition reflected in the Liber Ordinum and Antiphonary of Leon. It explains the Visigoths’ practice of single immersion in water during the administration of the sacrament and various other rites, post-baptismal Triduum and acclamations typical for the Hispanic liturgy. Extensive euchology of this rite provides valuable information on sacramental theology, which betrays the African influences (in particular the reference to St. Augustine) and has been transmitted by St. Gregory of Elvira, St. Ildefonsus of Toledo and St. Isidore of Seville. It is worth emphasizing the pastoral dimension of the process of initiation visible in complex formulas and the variety of blessings received by catechumens and rituals celebrated in post-baptismal mystagogy.

Keywords

• Ryt hiszpańsko-mozarabski
• sakramenty wtajemniczenia chrześcijańskiego
• katechumenat
• Izydor z Sewilli
• Ildefons z Toledo
• błogosławieństwa