Chapter 52

1After the catechumens pray, let the bishop or presbyter lay a hand on them and say this prayer:

2O God, who sends thunder and prepares lightning, who founded heaven and established the earth, who enlightens the faithful and turns back those who wander; who has given life to the dead, given hope to those without hope, and freed the universe from error through the descent of your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ: hear us, O Lord, and give these souls understanding, perfection, unwavering faith, and knowledge of the truth, that they may attain a rank higher than this through your holy name and that of your beloved Son Jesus, our Lord, through whom praise and might be to you with the Holy Spirit, now, always, and forever and ever. Amen.

3After this, let them be dismissed.

4If anyone who is a catechumen is arrested for my name, judged with tortures, and urgently presses forward to receive baptism, let the shepherd not hesitate, but let him give it. But if the catechumen suffers violence and is killed without having received baptism, let him not be anxious. For, having been baptized in his own blood, he is justified.