FWIW, the idea of a ritual Mass does not exist in the Roman tradition, certainly not in the very conservative usage which became that of the missal of Saint Pius V. Holy orders were originally conferred on Ember Saturday (and for the sake of completeness Sitiente Saturday before Passion Sunday and — I do not like this development — on Holy Saturday), so when they were not, the Mass of the day was used, and none of the other sacraments were ever given within the Mass.

Baptism is pretty straight forward in the traditional rituale. There are no chants, and even the prayers for the churching of women are simply recited.

I also wonder if there is a strict requirement to have a "Liturgy of the Word"; this is another occasion where, all things being equal, the preference for one suggests that it is better to confer baptism after the Gospel (well, after the homily), even though this is not at all traditional, if one is to read Scripture.

Yes well there were lots of explicit directives that were poorly considered.

But in any case, “do the new ritual traditionally” does not conform to either the “ideal” of baptisms during Mass or to adding all sorts of music to them.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback!

Per many of your responses, I do recognize that infant Baptisms were traditionally something of a 'Low' affair—i.e. without music.

With that, I suppose I thought to abide by the usus recentior Order of Baptism, but then just opt for the most traditional options. For example, it recommends that, "a procession to the appointed place takes place with singing;" so, given the usus antiquior Baptism lacks any such chant, I researched the last time an Introit had been prescribed for the Baptismal liturgy, and I found the example of 'Cum sanctificátus fúero in vobis.'

The same goes for the Baptismal Acclamation and Canticle, both of which have historical precedent in the celebration of Baptism.

The only selections which have no historical precedent, as far as I can tell, are the Gradual and Alleluia chants; though each is offered by the Graduale Romanum for the celebration of Baptism within Mass.

I just figured, as long as the Liturgy of the Word was being celebrated, and there was singing, then opting for the propers would be better than setting the Responsorial Psalm or Alleluia to music. Though to that end, is this actually permissible, or (since it's outside of Mass) am I technically restricted to the Responsorial Psalm and Alleluia verses in the ritual book?

As for celebrating Baptism within Mass, I would also be very open to this since (as Liam suggests) it is encouraged by the Church; but for personal reasons, I think this not to be fitting for my particular circumstance. As the Order of Baptism itself suggests that the Sacrament within Mass, "should not happen too often..." I feel comfortable with this.

Really appreciate all of your insights here!

@fcb, Ah very interesting – in that case, I might have to stick with the recommendations of the ritual book anyways.

I do worry about creating an aura of tradition while actually doing something untraditional

I do as well.

Also, yes, it occurs to me that drawing out the length of a child’s baptism by making that the preferred form does not seem to be especially pastoral. There are some rites where concessions to human weakness are going to be more pronounced than with others.