Matter
Form
Intention
Conditional
Sponsor
Minister
Ceremonies
Records
Time
Miscarriage
When Not to Baptize
How a Lay Person Should Administer Baptism
Instruction by Fr. Lucian Pulvermacher, OFM Cap.
- Baptism is one of the 2 sacraments (the other
being Matrimony) that can be done without a priest. In this present
time, the availability of a priest is extremely rare, so we provide
these instructions on how a lay person may administer the Sacrament of
Baptism.
At the very start we shall quote a source of great value, Moral Theology - A Complete Course, based on St. Thomas Aquinas and the best modern authorities. The authors are Fathers Callan and McHugh. It is revised and enlarged by Fr. Farrell. The Imprimatur is dated August 8, 1948:
The Sacrament of Baptism
- "Private Baptism is given in danger of death,
or when an adult convert is re-baptized conditionally (Canon 759). It
requires only true and natural water, though the water should be as
clean and decent as possible, and baptismal or blessed water is
preferable; generally the simple form without other rite suffices;
sponsors are not necessary, unless they can be had without difficulty,
but if possible at least one or two witnesses should be present; the
Baptism may be given in the private home or the hospital or other
place where the candidate is staying; anyone who has the use of reason
and is able to perform the rite may act as minister. When several
persons suitable to minister private Baptism are present, the order of
preference to be followed is: priest, deacon, subdeacon, cleric,
layman, woman; but a woman should be preferred to a man if modesty
calls for this, or if the woman is better acquainted with the manner
of baptizing. It is considered a serious sin needlessly to prefer a
non-priest to a worthy priest, a non-Catholic to a Catholic, an
outsider to the parish-priest. If possible, parents should not baptize
their own children, since it is more becoming that the spiritual
parent and the carnal parent be different persons."
Matter
The matter for baptism is ordinary water. It may be river
water, well water, tap water, distilled water and the like. Out of respect
for the sacrament the water should be clean. If it is a little dirty it
may be used in cases of necessity, that is, if there is no clean water
available. It may be any temperature.
Form
The form of the Sacrament of Baptism is (basic): "I baptize thee
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." Amen is
not added, but if it is added by mistake the baptism is all right. If the
person has a name, you may put it into the form as follows: (Example)
"John, I baptize thee … (as above)." Remember this, the person who says
the form must be the person who pours the water. Furthermore, the water
must flow over the skin to show washing. One pouring is sufficient.
However, it is good to pour three times, that is, when one says (1) "the
Father" and (2) "the Son" and (3) "the Holy Ghost." If you says "Holy
Spirit" that is all right too, for Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit mean the
same thing. It is good to write out the form and read it while one pours
the water. If possible, witnesses should watch and listen so that they can
testify to the proper procedure if or when that is required. If there are
no witnesses and there is urgency one should go ahead alone.
Intention
Here we distinguish two intentions. There is an intention in
some rites that make the sacrament invalid even when the proper form is
used. I am speaking of the Novus Ordo baptisms. I dealt at length on that
problem in another article on the valid-intention for Baptism. If you have
to deal with a problem where there is a Novus Ordo baptism, do it over at
least conditionally. I shall deal with conditional baptism in this article
too. Secondly, we deal with the intention of the person who gives the
sacrament. If the person who gives the sacrament (called the minister of
the sacrament) has the wrong intention, the sacrament is invalid. For
example, a minister of the sacrament may give the sacrament merely as a
rite of initiation into some kind of Christian community. Even if the
entire rite is correct, his intention vitiates the sacrament.
The proper intention is this. The minister of the sacrament must intend
to do what the Church (Catholic Church) does when it administers the
sacrament. The Church intends to give the sacrament in such a way that
original sin and personal sin are taken away, an indelible character is
given on the soul and the person is made a member of the Catholic Church.
Even if the minister does not know these things, he can still administer
the sacrament if he has the proper matter, form and the intention to do
what the Church does when it gives baptism according to the command of
Christ.
Conditional Baptism
If a former baptism is doubtful, e.g., a Novus
Ordo baptism, then it must be done over to have it valid. Conditional
baptism is also given when one is doubtful whether the person is dead or
alive. As a practical solution, all Protestant baptism are done over
conditionally. When a conditional baptism is given, here is the deal. If
the person is baptized, nothing is done; if the person is not baptized,
then it is given. Here is how conditional baptism is given: "If thou art
not baptized (If thou art alive), I baptize thee in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."
Sponsor
If a sponsor is had, that sponsor must be a true Catholic.
This is not just a friendly gesture to a friend or relative. If there is
no Catholic present or at a distance (represented by a proxy) then there
will be no sponsor at all.
Minister
The above article in Moral Theology tells us quite clearly
who should be chosen as the minister of the sacrament. The most basic
qualification is that the minister can and will perform the rite
correctly. Never invite a non-Catholic minister unless there is no other
way to get the rite performed.
Supplied Ceremonies
If the person baptized continues to live, a priest
can supply the ceremonies later on. He will not repeat the form, "I
baptize thee … etc." He supplies the exorcism, gives the salt, and
anointings and the like.
Records
In today's situation, if you have a priest, the priest should
issue a baptismal certificate, and keep all the records. The
newly-baptized (or the parents in the case of a child) should provide the
priest with the full name of the person baptized, the date and place of
birth, the date and place of baptism, the father's name, the mother's
maiden name, the minister of the baptism and the sponsors if there are
any. Of course, the address of the person baptized must be included
too.
Time
In ordinary circumstances, baptism is given from a week to two
weeks after birth. It is a practical issue that you let the priest know
when the baby is due to be born. If the priest can make it to your home
within two weeks of the birth, the priest will administer the sacrament as
usual. If the priest cannot get there or if there is danger of death, just
go ahead as instructed and directed in this article.
Miscarriage
Anything that passes after conception, that appears to be
the baby, is to be baptized absolutely if alive and conditionally if there
is doubt that it is alive. The water (warm if possible) must run over the
fetus as the form, "I baptize thee … (etc)." is said.
When Not to Baptize
Unless there is imminent danger of death (just
about ready to die) you are not to baptize an infant that will not be
brought up in the Catholic Faith. Here we mean the Faith as we know it as
true Catholics, that is, as taught and practiced from the founding of the
Church by Christ. A non-Catholic (as a non-Catholic) cannot be saved.
"Outside the Church there is no salvation." It is less terrible to go to
hell without the indelible character of baptism than to go there with
it.
Our Journey Towards Heaven
My heart burns in loving concern for the
eternal salvation of all those God permits me to help on the way to
heaven. Never lose this valuable instruction and live by it. God will
reward you.
