After the twelve prophecies have been recited, the Card.  Vicar, (as the representative of the Bishop of Rome) wearing a purple cope and a mitre, goes in procession from the tribune of the basilica to the baptistery[129].  He is preceded by acolythes bearing the paschal candle[130], and the cross and usual lights, as well as by the candidates for baptism and orders, and the chapter of the basilica.  In the mean time the beautiful tract, As the stag thirsts for the fountains of water, etc. is sung[131].  His Em. then chants the prayers appointed for the benediction of the font; he divides the water with his hand in the form of a cross, exorcises it, touches it, signs it three times with the sign of our redemption, and pours some of it towards the four parts of the world, in allusion to the command of Christ:  “Go teach all nations, baptising them” (Matt.  XXVIII).  He then dips the paschal candle three times into the water, singing, and each time raising his voice to a higher pitch than before:  “May the power of the Holy Ghost descend upon the fulness of this font”; as when He descended, says Gavant, “in the form of a dove at the baptism of Christ represented by this candle plunged into the water”.  Then breathing three times on the water nearly in the form of a cross “that he may unite the Trinity with the cross” (as the same author observes) he continues the chant, and raises the candle from the water, alluding in the prayer to “the effect of baptism, which confers grace, raising the soul from sin to glory”. (Gavant).  The blessed water is then sprinkled upon the people, and some of it is reserved to be sprinkled in houses, etc.  In order to sanctify the water still more, the Cardinal now pours into it, in the form of a cross, oil of catechumens and chrism; and mixes them with the water of the font, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  This last ceremony is intended to signify, according to mystical interpreters, such as Amalarius, Honorius, Durandus, etc. “the union of Christ by baptism with the members of the church” (Gavant).  The prayers of this benediction, most of which are sung in the tone of the preface at ferial mass, contain beautiful allusions to the mention of water in the Old and New Testaments, as for instance:  “O God, whose Spirit at the very beginning of the world was borne upon the waters, that the nature of water might even then conceive the power of sanctification; O God, who washing with waters the crimes of a guilty world, didst sign the figure of regeneration in the very out-pouring of the deluge; may this font receive of the Holy Ghost the grace of thy only begotten Son"[132].

[Sidenote:  Baptism of adults.]