Trois rituels occasionnels du baptême dans le sacramentaire gélasien

Abstract

The Gelasian Sacramentary (Vat. Reg. lat. 316), I, lxvi – lxxvi (592-617) contains a collection of formularies of Roman origin, which, according to A. Chavasse, would have consisted of an Ordo for administering baptism in special circumstances. Actually, this collection is a compilation which brings together all the original pieces of three rituals : 1. An early ritual (IVth cent.) for baptizing a catechumen-energumen (epileptic), — with the necessary changes in the case of little children being the only candidates for this sacrament (end of VIth cent.). 2. A ritual as early as the former one, with similar changes, and used for baptizing a sick catechumen. 3. A ritual for baptizing a weak child, composed in the VIIth century, to take the place of both preceeding rituals. The compilation of these three rituals in one, is the work of the “redactor” of the Gelasian, i.e. the liturgist who, in East France, during the first half of the VIIIth century, composed a sacramentary, Roman in all essentials, Gallican in some complementary factors.