tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post8172074198519715672..comments2023-10-23T12:09:50.512-04:00Comments on Clergy Confidential: Why I Hate Baptismal ShellsTim Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913584491460599491noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-78571965936974658542016-01-11T07:26:38.854-05:002016-01-11T07:26:38.854-05:00Former Roman Catholic, Episcopalian for two decade...Former Roman Catholic, Episcopalian for two decades here -- Didn't even know that these baptismal scallop thingies even existed. Fascinating. Baptism should be always be a hands-on splashy affair. It's Holy Water. Who wouldn't want to get in on a drop or two? Maria Nolletti Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18308363630857438428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-11118414962246769892016-01-10T22:11:57.060-05:002016-01-10T22:11:57.060-05:00I agree and so did Aidan Kavanaugh; famous RC litu...I agree and so did Aidan Kavanaugh; famous RC liturgy scholar; who would angrily growl that it "vitiates the sacrament."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14121928910294984705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-61340229826907797142016-01-10T22:11:47.288-05:002016-01-10T22:11:47.288-05:00I agree and so did Aidan Kavanaugh; famous RC litu...I agree and so did Aidan Kavanaugh; famous RC liturgy scholar; who would angrily growl that it "vitiates the sacrament."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14121928910294984705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-67406305461430635912016-01-10T21:55:57.140-05:002016-01-10T21:55:57.140-05:00But....
"The scallop shell is the traditiona...But....<br /><br />"The scallop shell is the traditional emblem of James, son of Zebedee, and is popular with pilgrims on the Way of St James to the apostle's shrine at Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (Spain). Medieval Christians making the pilgrimage to his shrine often wore a scallop shell symbol on their hat or clothes. The pilgrim also carried a scallop shell with him, and would present himself at churches, castles, abbeys etc., where he could expect to be given as much sustenance as he could pick up with one scoop. Probably he would be given oats, barley, and perhaps beer or wine. Thus even the poorest household could give charity without being overburdened."<br /><br />https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scallop#Christianity<br /><br /><br />So the scallop shell is a really, really old Christian symbol - and that's what I think of when I see it on a font (for example - I don't think I've ever seen a baptism done with a silver shell). I'm glad to see it still in use, myself; ordinary things like shells are important, I think. I hope it stays around in some form.... <br />Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01096111666248596843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-43894698761524344082016-01-10T21:21:22.219-05:002016-01-10T21:21:22.219-05:00A broken clock is right twice a day, and my archem...A broken clock is right twice a day, and my archemesis is also right on a occasion. This post is spot on. Baptism should be messy -- lots of oil and water. But you are still my sworn enemy.Scott Gunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04775271116737644034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-71137410085688660822016-01-10T20:27:59.053-05:002016-01-10T20:27:59.053-05:00Wade in the water,children...🎶Wade in the water,children...🎶Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-57444403478611056712016-01-10T20:24:37.099-05:002016-01-10T20:24:37.099-05:00I'm with you. I was raised in another traditio...I'm with you. I was raised in another tradition and immersed at my baptized. I've always been an immersion fan, but at the very least, just no shells. Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02143602658384330545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-66171978597879825222013-01-12T11:29:08.000-05:002013-01-12T11:29:08.000-05:00Right on!!!! When we baptized Aly at St. John...Right on!!!! When we baptized <br>Aly at St. John's, our priest allowed me to pour the water into the Baptismal Font and e asked not pour slowly. I dumped it right in with water splashing! It was awesome and the congregation ( in the few couple pews) got wet. It was a great reminder of own baptisms! Great Blog!!!!!!Dave Clintonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-88154963796795877592013-01-12T11:28:34.000-05:002013-01-12T11:28:34.000-05:00Not a fan of holding our sacraments out at arm'...Not a fan of holding our sacraments out at arm's length. The practice of intinction comes to mind. Germs schmerms!margueritenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-47171556599784411912013-01-20T09:16:43.000-05:002013-01-20T09:16:43.000-05:00Amen on this one! When my daughter was baptized, t...Amen on this one! When my daughter was baptized, the "shell treatment" was given and she didn't like it at all. What I hear though is that churches are starting to go different routes. Maybe ours will do the same.Jill Foxhttp://mayleesboutique.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-82700596468890599162013-01-13T04:30:16.000-05:002013-01-13T04:30:16.000-05:00I never thought of baptism that way, messy like Ch...I never thought of baptism that way, messy like Christianity, I like it. I was 'dunked' back in my pre-Episcopal days, but even that was more scripted than not(tidy pool of water, warmed, with weighted robes). I always felt a little left out that I didn't get the "shell treatment" when I joined the Episcopal church. I did go to a Catholic Church once where they stripped the baby down to his diaper and then flung a big pitcher of water at him. Everyone up at the font got soaked and the infant screamed for the rest of the service. The priest said that he wanted to make sure the baby gets a full dose and it's memorable. I think he accomplished that. Perhaps when we renew our baptismal vows we should douse each other with a big water fight, like kids and enjoy it, like there is joy in being a Christian. :)Annnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-67521198971170659422013-01-12T11:18:28.000-05:002013-01-12T11:18:28.000-05:00With you on this one, Tim. I use my hands. The she...With you on this one, Tim. I use my hands. The shells are too Victorian-precious for me...this is a visceral act, this baptism, and it shouldn't be turned into tschotchke land.Mary Thorpehttp://www.facebook.com/mary.thorpe.52noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-14391546475464701832013-01-13T13:05:37.000-05:002013-01-13T13:05:37.000-05:00Whew. After reading this, I'm relieved that w...Whew. After reading this, I'm relieved that we don't use a baptismal shell at the Church of the Redeemer in Baltimore!<br>MomLois Schencknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-6822999100945853222013-01-13T15:16:51.000-05:002013-01-13T15:16:51.000-05:00Amen! and Alleluia!Amen! and Alleluia!Julie Nelsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-87302148246135750052013-01-14T07:28:47.000-05:002013-01-14T07:28:47.000-05:00A few years ago for Vacation Bible School we cente...A few years ago for Vacation Bible School we centered the whole week around baptism. We had water games galore every evening as we talked the kids (and us adults) through what baptism meant and continues to mean in our lives. We went home squishing every night. The kids still talk about that week.Marty Garwoodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-28127013440777171992013-01-12T13:40:41.000-05:002013-01-12T13:40:41.000-05:00AMEN! I refused to use them for 30 years. And wate...AMEN! I refused to use them for 30 years. And water needs to splash! Thank you!Nancynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-30543977231711687692013-01-12T13:51:05.000-05:002013-01-12T13:51:05.000-05:00I have come to feel the same way about the chrism....I have come to feel the same way about the chrism. No neat dabbing a thumb in the pyx and sketching a damp cross on the forehead. Pour that oil right on the baby's head. The fragrance will waft around the sanctuary and the congregation's sense of smell will tell them something special has been done even if they can't really see what is happening. And yes, the altar guild will survive the initial case of heart failure when the water in the font suddenly looks like the pasta pot. Ears, eyes, and nose should all be involved.Marty Garwoodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-21303229174709234252013-01-12T14:02:53.000-05:002013-01-12T14:02:53.000-05:00And, fie on so-called 'private baptisms."...And, fie on so-called 'private baptisms." In my 40 plus years as a priest I've never done one. It's a major service Sunday morning event!Jay Croftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4381472662149763328.post-69708485307402130902013-01-12T15:40:39.000-05:002013-01-12T15:40:39.000-05:00Not only do I NOT use the very nice silver shell t...Not only do I NOT use the very nice silver shell that they always put out for me - personal preference - I like to get into the water - but we also always do aspersions after the baptism. That way, not only do we all reaffirm our baptismal vows, but we also ALL share in the water of baptism - every time. The children, of course, LOVE itSarahnoreply@blogger.com