The Ephphatah Rite is the final Explanatory Rite of the Baptismal Ceremony. You might remember that Mark's Gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sept. 5) is the story of Jesus curing the deaf man and using the Aramaic word
Ephphatah.
Ephphatah can be translated "Be opened." Pope Benedict XVI said that "if one was going to summarize the mission of Jesus Christ in one word,
Ephphatah could be that word." Be opened to what there is to see, hear, and be. Be sensible before God to the truth.
During the Baptismal Rite the celebrant touches the mouth and ears of the person being baptized and prays: "The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father."
I hope that in reviewing these Explanatory Rites and their accompanying prayers you are able to reflect on the beauty and graces of the Sacrament of Baptism, be it yours, your child's, your grandchild's, or your godchild's.