ŚLĄSKIE STUDIA HISTORYCZNO-TEOLOGICZNE

Lavacrum Aquae in Verbo. The Liturgy of Baptism in Hippo in Saint Augustine’s Time (an Attempt at Reconstruction)
The aim of the article is an attempt to describe the liturgy of baptism celebrated by St. Augustine in his cathedral in Hippo. Various writings of Augustine, especially his Sermons addressed to candidates (catechumeni and competentes) for baptism, contain information enabling us to describe, albeit in a generic way, the particular stages of the preparation of catechumens for baptism and the rite itself. The preparation consisted principally of catecheses, exorcisms and a kind of examination. The rite clearly contained a personal and individual renouncement of Satan, followed by a profession of faith in each of the Persons of the Most Blessed Trinity and either immersion in the pool or the pouring of water on the head of the baptised. It is not possible to state exactly the formula of baptism employed; it is surprising that Augustine, who discusses many themes associated with baptism in various works, does not present the words spoken by the one administering baptism, although he does speak of the necessity of water and the words for the sacrament itself.