This day is known as “Quasimodo Sunday” from the first two words of the opening Antiphon at Mass that speak especially to those baptized at Easter:
I Peter 2:2
Quasi modo geniti infantes, rationabile, sine dolo lac concupiscite ut in eo crescatis in salutem si gustastis quoniam dulcis Dominus.As newborn babes, alleluia, desire the rational milk without guile, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Rejoice to God our helper. Sing aloud to the God of Jacob.
It is the day that the newly baptized officially put away their white robes, hence, it is known liturgically as “Dominica in albis depositis” or the “Sunday of putting away the albs.”
~FishEaters
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In the early ages of the Church many people were baptized during the long ceremonies which nowadays are held early on Easter Saturday morning, but which were then held during the night of Easter Saturday. After the blessing of the font came the baptism of the neophytes, who afterwards dressed themselves in white garments as a sign of their new cleanness of soul. They wore these garments all day and every day until Low Sunday, which came to be called: “The Sunday for the leaving-off of white garments.” It is believed that the day came to be called Low Sunday in this country because of the insistence on lowliness and childlikeness in the introit of the day’s Mass.
Low Sunday could be an occasion for the renewing of baptismal vows. The story of this Sunday, “in albis depositis” could first be explained to them, then the ceremony of baptism, then the promises that were undertaken on their behalf by their godparents. One could make the baptismal promises once more, this time on their own behalf.
RENEWAL OF BAPTISM
The ceremony for this can be found below:
Pr.: What do you ask of the Church of God?
Members: Faith.
P.: What does faith bring you to?
M.: Life everlasting.
P.: If, then, you desire to enter into life, keep the commandments: You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul, and with your whole mind, and your neighbor as yourself.
M.: Amen.
P.: Do you renounce Satan?
M.: I do renounce him.
P.: And all his works?
M.: I do renounce them.
P.: And all his pomps?
M.: I do renounce them.
P.: Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth?
M.: I do believe.
P.: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born into this world and suffered for us?
M.: I do believe.
P.: Do you believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
M.: I do believe.
P.: Pray, then, kneel down and say the “Our Father.”
Kneeling, everyone says slowly together the “Our Father.” Everyone participating then takes a lighted candle and says:
P.: Receive this burning light, and without fail be true to your baptism, that when our Lord shall come to claim his own you may be worthy to meet him, together with all the saints in the heavenly court, and live for ever and ever.
M.: Amen.
P.: Receive the sign of the cross upon your forehead and also in your heart, and in your manners be such that you may now be the temple of God.
M.: Amen.
P.: Peace be with you.
M.: And with your spirit.
All stand with the burning candles in their hands and conclude with a hymn.
~A Candle is Lighted, Imprimatur 1954~
