USCCB
The Order of Baptism of Children (USCCB)
The hardcover USCCB ritual edition of the Order of Baptism of Children, the current English rite used by priests and deacons in US parishes.
Books & Liturgical Resources
Ritual Books
Ritual books contain the approved texts for sacraments and blessings celebrated outside Mass or alongside it. Since 2016 several rites have received new English translations. These include the Order of Celebrating Matrimony (2016), the Order of Baptism of Children (2020) and the Order of Penance (2023). Editions differ by publisher: USCCB, Liturgy Training Publications, Liturgical Press or Catholic Book Publishing. Bindings are hardcover, paperback or imitation leather, and bilingual English-Spanish editions exist for matrimony and funerals.
A parish needs at least one current ritual edition of each rite it celebrates, and the older translations may no longer be used. Priests and deacons who baptize weekly often keep a hardcover USCCB edition at the font and a lighter LTP paperback for the car. Parishes with Spanish-speaking families should add the bilingual matrimony and funeral editions from Liturgical Press. The Book of Blessings covers house blessings, religious articles and seasonal blessings, and the small Anointing of the Sick volume fits a sick-call bag.
9 ritual books
Nine ritual and study books are listed, covering baptism, matrimony, funerals, penance, anointing and blessings.
Liturgy Training Publications
The Order of Baptism of Children, LTP Ritual Edition
The LTP ritual edition of the Order of Baptism of Children, issued in a paperback binding for use at the font.
USCCB
The Order of Celebrating Matrimony, Second Edition
The hardcover second edition of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony, the English marriage rite with the adaptations approved for the United States.
Liturgical Press
Order of Celebrating Matrimony, Bilingual Edition
A hardcover English and Spanish edition of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony from Liturgical Press, published in 2016, with both languages in one book.
Liturgical Press
Order of Christian Funerals, Bilingual Edition
A hardcover English and Spanish edition of the Order of Christian Funerals from Liturgical Press, published in February 2026.
Catholic Book Publishing
Order of Penance, Ritual Edition (CBP)
The Catholic Book Publishing hardcover ritual edition of the Order of Penance, the current English translation of the rite of reconciliation.
Catholic Book Publishing
Book of Blessings, Imitation Leather (CBP)
The Catholic Book Publishing edition of the Book of Blessings in imitation leather, catalog number 560-22, holding the blessings of the Roman Ritual.
Liturgical Press
Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume One
A paperback study edition from Liturgical Press collecting the rites of the Catholic Church in one volume, for reference rather than for celebration.
Catholic Book Publishing
Order of the Anointing of the Sick (CBP)
A green Catholic Book Publishing edition of the Order of the Anointing of the Sick, 4 by 6 1/4 inches, sized for sick calls.
Side by side
The specifications the makers publish, in one table.
| Product | Binding | |
|---|---|---|
| The Order of Baptism of Children (USCCB) USCCB | — | Check availability |
| The Order of Baptism of Children, LTP Ritual Edition Liturgy Training Publications | — | Check availability |
| The Order of Celebrating Matrimony, Second Edition USCCB | — | Check availability |
| Order of Celebrating Matrimony, Bilingual Edition Liturgical Press | — | Check availability |
| Order of Christian Funerals, Bilingual Edition Liturgical Press | — | Check availability |
| Order of Penance, Ritual Edition (CBP) Catholic Book Publishing | — | Check availability |
| Book of Blessings, Imitation Leather (CBP) Catholic Book Publishing | — | Check availability |
| Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume One Liturgical Press | — | Check availability |
| Order of the Anointing of the Sick (CBP) Catholic Book Publishing | — | Check availability |
Questions before you order
Which baptism book should a parish use now?
The Order of Baptism of Children, in the translation approved by the USCCB, has been mandatory in US dioceses since Easter 2020. The older Rite of Baptism for Children may no longer be used. Editions from USCCB, Liturgy Training Publications and Liturgical Press contain the same text.
What changed in the Order of Celebrating Matrimony, Second Edition?
The 2016 second edition replaced the 1969 Rite of Marriage with a new translation and revised rubrics. It adds the US adaptations for the arras and lazo, and an order for marriage between a Catholic and a catechumen or non-Christian. It is required for all weddings in US dioceses.
Is the Order of Penance different from the Rite of Penance?
The Order of Penance is the 2023 English translation of the same rite, replacing the 1975 Rite of Penance. The structure is unchanged, but the prayers and the formula of absolution use the revised wording. It could be used from Ash Wednesday 2023 and became mandatory that April.
Does a deacon need his own ritual books?
A deacon who baptizes, witnesses marriages and leads funerals and blessings needs four books. These are the Order of Baptism of Children, the Order of Celebrating Matrimony, the Order of Christian Funerals and the Book of Blessings. Parishes often buy a set for each deacon so he is not sharing the sacristy copy.