Renewed each Easter

The vows made for you as an infant, taken up as your own.

At the Easter Vigil, the whole congregation stands with lit candles and renounces Satan again. Most Catholics were baptised as infants, and their godparents answered for them; this is the moment each year when the promises are ratified by the person who has to keep them.

The Renunciation

V. Do you renounce Satan?
R. I do.

V. And all his works?
R. I do.

V. And all his empty show?
R. I do.

The Profession

V. Do you believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.

V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried,
rose from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.

V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting?
R. I do.

The Response

And may almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit
and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins,
keep us by His grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord,
for eternal life. Amen.

About This Renewal

Renewing the promises privately on the anniversary of your baptism is an old and quietly powerful custom — find the date on your baptismal certificate. Many Catholics know their wedding anniversary to the day and could not name the date they became a Christian.