Baptism

A newly born child should be baptized as soon as possible. To put off the sacrament for three or four weeks, and even longer, without very grave reasons, may be a grievous sin.

In most parishes there is an hour appointed for baptism, usually on Sunday afternoon. Have the child brought to the church on the first occasion of the kind.

If sickness of the child, great distance, intense cold, or other excusing circumstances should exist, notify the Pastor of the same at once, and abide by his arrangements. By no means take the matter wholly into your own hands and thereby defer baptism.

In selecting a name for the child, regard should be had to the wish of the Church that the name of a saint or holy person, either of the New or Old Law, be adopted. If a family-name be given, the name of some saint should at least accompany it. Where this has not been done, the name of a saint may be added at confirmation.

When the hour for baptism is, or has been specially appointed, be sure to be on time. Urge the Godparents particularly on this point. The Priest has on Sundays, as well as on other days, his appointments, services and engagements, in all of which he must be prompt. If parties should come late and have to be put off to another time, let them blame themselves.

Select Godparents, or sponsors, as they are also called, who are good, practical Catholics, who are well instructed in the faith and are able to bring up a child in the same. Let them, therefore, be neither too young nor too old, as they must assume the spiritual care of the child in case the parents of it should die, or should neglect it.

Non-Catholics are not permitted by the laws of the Church to be Godparents; neither are apostate Catholics, nor members of secret societies specially condemned by the Church.

If two Godparents, or sponsors are engaged, they must be of different sexes. Employing two Godfathers or two Godmothers is not permissible. If one Godparent is employed, it may be either Godfather or Godmother.

Godparents should be prepared to answer the following questions, which the Priest asks them during the ceremony of baptism.

Priest. N. What dost thou ask of the Church of God?

Godparents. Faith.

Priest. What doth faith bring thee to?

Godparents. Life everlasting.

Priest. N. Dost thou renounce Satan?

Godparents. I do renounce him.

Priest. And all his works?

Godparents. I do renounce them.

Priest. And all his pomps?

Godparents. I do renounce them.

Priest. N. Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?

Godparents. I do believe.

Priest. Dost thou believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, Who was born into this world and Who suffered for us?

Godparents. I do believe.

Priest. Dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?

Godparents. I do believe.

Priest. N. Wilt thou be baptized?

Godparents. I will.

The Godparents will be called upon to recite the Apostles’ Creed aloud. Let them, therefore, know it well by heart.

Let Godparents not forget the obligation they take upon themselves in standing for a child, to care for its Christian training and instruction, especially in the case of the death of the parents or of neglect on their part.

Let them also remember that they contract a spiritual relationship with their Godchild, as well as with its parents, so that they can never marry anyone of the said parties.

See Impediments of Matrimony, Page 44.

The clothing about the neck of the child p. 5should be so arranged that it may be easily loosened, as the Priest must anoint the breast of the child and the back between the shoulders. Do not keep your fingers over these parts in forcing back the clothing, lest they get touched with the holy oil. Have the clothing loose and there will be no trouble.

In holding the infant during the ceremonies, have its head uncovered and let it rest, face upward, on the right arm.

Whilst the Priest pours the water on the head, if there be two Godparents, let one place his right hand on or under the right shoulder of the child, whilst the other holds it, as both Godparents must touch the child during the baptizing.

Hold the crown of the head, face downward, exactly over the middle of the baptismal bowl or basin, almost on a level with it. Support the head with the right hand spread under the neck or chin of the child.

After the priest has poured the water, he dries the head, which should be kept over the bowl during the time. He then anoints the crown of the head with holy Chrism.

There must be no talking, smiling or making of remarks during the sacred ceremony of baptism, but all attendants must stand by with the profoundest reverence and respect, as they would at any other service in the church.

Those who bring a child or accompany a person to be baptized, must be prepared to supply the following items for the correct registering of the baptism: The exact date of the child or person’s birth, the place of birth, the full names of the father of the child and his place of birth, town, city or county, and country; the mother’s full names, her maiden or family-name before marriage, together with the exact place of her birth; the full names of the Godparents.

Let parents or Godparents, or both, according to the custom of the parish, make an offering to the Priest. In case of poverty or temporary inability, let them have an understanding with the Priest beforehand. Baptism must never be deferred on account of inability to make such an offering.