Part III, The Means of Grace: Baptism

1. Which is the first and most necessary Sacrament?

The first and most necessary Sacrament is Baptism.

2. Why is Baptism the first Sacrament?

Because before Baptism no other Sacrament can be validly received.

3. Why is Baptism the most necessary Sacrament?

Because without Baptism no one can be saved.

' Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God' (John iii. 5).

God has not revealed to us what becomes of those children who die without Baptism. All we know is that they are not admitted to enjoy the sight or beatific vision of God, nor are they punished like those who have sinned of their own free will. However, it is to be supposed Oiat their life hereafter is also to them a benefit of God.

4. What is Baptism?

Baptism is a Sacrament in which, by water and the word of God, we are cleansed from all sin, and re-born and sanctified in Christ to life everlasting.

5. Why do you say that we are baptized ' by water and the word of God ' ?

Because Baptism is administered by pouring water over the head or over the body of him who is baptized, and, at the same time pronouncing these words : I bap-

tize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.'

6. Why do you say that ' in Baptism we are cleansed from all sin ' ?

Because in Baptism original sin. and all the sins committed before Baptism, are forgiven.

7. Is also the punishment due to sin remitted?

Yes; the temporal as well as the eternal punishment is remitted in Baptism.

8. Why are we, even after Baptism, still subject to some defects of original sin, as death, concupiscence, and many tribulations and infirmities?

1. That we ourselves may experience how punishable and pernicious sin is, and hate it so much the more ; and 2. That we may increase our merits for Heaven by our combats and sufferings.

9. Why do you further say that we are ' re-born and sanctified to life everlasting ' ?

Because in Baptism we are not only cleansed from all sin, but are also transformed in a spiritual manner, made holy, children of God, and heirs of Heaven.

' He saved us by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Ghost, whom He hath poured forth upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that, being justified by His grace, we may be his heirs, according to hope, of life everlasting' (Tit. iii. 5-7).

10. By what is this spiritual re-birth and sanctification effected?

It is effected by the grace of sanctification, which, together with the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity, the Holy Ghost infuses into the soul in Baptism.

' The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us' (Eom. v. 5).

11. And why do you say that we are re-bom and sane-" tified ' in Christ » ?

To signify that all these graces are given to us, be-

cause by Baptism we are united with Christ and incorporated into His Church.

' There is now, therefore, no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus' (Eom. viii. 1).

12. When did Christ give the commandment to baptize?

Before His Ascension, when He said to His Apostles : ' Going therefore, teach ye all nations ; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost' (Matt, xxviii. 19).

13. Who can validly baptize?

Any person; but, except in cases of necessity, only priests, who have care of souls, are allowed to baptize.

14. Is the Baptism given by non-Catholics also valid?

Yes; it is valid, if they strictly observe in it all that is necessary for Baptism.

When heretics are converted, if it is found, after diligent examination, either that Baptism had not been conferred at all, or else conferred improperly, they must be baptized. If, upon investigation, there remains a reasonable doubt of the validity of their former Baptism, they must be baptized conditionally. If the former Baptism was valid they are not to be baptized again. There are three ways, therefore, of receiving converts into the Church.

I. If Baptism is conferred absolutely, neither abjuration nor absolution follows, since all the past is wiped out by Baptism.

II. If Baptism is repeated conditionally, the following order ia to be observed, 1. The Abjuration, or Profession of Faith. 2. Conditional Baptism. 3. Sacramental Confession.

III. If the former Baptism is held to be valid, the Abjuration or Profession of Faith alone is to be made, followed by Absolution from Censures.

15. What sort of water should be used in Baptism?

Any natural water will do for the validity of Baptism. However, when possible, baptismal water, or water blessed for that purpose, should be used.

16. What intention must he have who baptizes?

He must have the intention to baptize indeed — that

is, to do what the Church does, or what Christ has ordained.

17. What name should be given to the child in Baptism?

The name of some saint, in whom the child may have an intercessor with God, and an example for imitation.

18. Why must the person to be baptized renounce Satan, all his works, and all his pomps, before Baptism?

Because no one can belong to Christ, unless he renounce not only Satan, but also his works — i.e., sin — and his pomps — i.e., the spirit and the vanities of the world, bv which Satan blinds men and entices them to sin (Matt. iv. 8, 9).

In Baptism we promise to believe, to avoid sin, and to lead a new life pleasing to God. On the other hand, God promises us His grace and eternal salvation. These mutual promises are called the Covenant of Baptism.

19. Why does the Priest place a white linen cloth upon our head in Baptism?

To remind us that we should preserve the innocence we have received pure and spotless until death; therefore, when he puts it on us, he says : Receive this white garment, and see thou carry it without stain before the judgment-seat of our Lord Jesus Christ, that thou mayest have eternal life.'

20. What does the lighted candle, which is put into the child's hand after he is baptized, signify?

That a Christian ought to shine by his faith and virtuous life before the whole world.

'So let your light shine before men, that thev may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven' (Matt. V. 16).

The other ceremonies of Baptism are also very ancient, and have all a deep meaning. 1. The person to be baptized remains at first without the church, because only Baptism gives him entrance into it. 2. The Priest breathes three times in his face, to signify the new and spiritual life he receives by the grace of the Holy Ghost (Gen. ii. 7, and John xx. 22). 3. The sign of the Cross made upon his forehead and upon his breast denotes

that he is becoming the property of his Crucified Redeemer, whose doctrine he is to carry in his heart, and to profess openly. 4. The blessed salt, which is put into his mouth, is an emblem of Christian wisdom, and of preservation from the corruption of sin. 5. By the exorcisms, which are repeated several times, the power of the devil, 'who has the empire of death' (Heb. ii. 14), is broken in the name of the Blessed Trinity, 6, The laying of the Priest 's hand upon the person to be baptized signifies the protection of God ; and the stole laid upon him, and his being led by it into the Church, is a sign of the ecclesiastical power, in virtue of which the Priest admits him into the Church. 7. The touching of the child's ears and nostrils with spittle, in imitation of our Saviour (Mark vii. 33), signifies that, by the grace of this Sacrament, his spiritual senses are opened to the doctrine of Christ. 8. After having renounced the devil and all his works, and all his pomps, he is anointed with holy oil on the breast and between the shoulders, because, as a champion of Christ, he has now manfully to fight against the devil and the world. 9. After the Baptism, the crown of the head is anointed with chrism, to intimate that he is now a Christian — i.e., an anointed of God, etc.

21. What should Sponsors, or Godfathers and Godmothers, be particularly mindful of?

Sponsors should bear in mind that they become, as it were, the spiritual parents of the infant that is baptized, and make in his name the profession of faith and the baptismal vows; that therefore —

1. They should be good Catholics themselves ;

2. They should take care that the child be instructed in the Catholic religion, and well educated, if his natural parents should neglect their duty in this respect, or be prevented from performing it; and

3. That they cannot marry their Godchild; but they are not forbidden to marry each other.

22. How many Godfathers and Godmothers does the Church admit?

The Church generally admits but one Godfather for a boy, and one Godmother for a girl; or, at most, one Godfather and one Godmother for one person to be baptized. The others who may be admitted besides are only

to be considered as witnesses of his Baptism, and, consequently, contract no spiritual relationship.

23. Can the Baptism of water never be supplied?

When it is impossible to have it, it may be supplied by the Baptism of desire or by the Baptism of blood.

24. What is the Baptism of desire?

An earnest wish and a determined will to receive Baptism, or to do all that God has ordained for our salvation, accompanied with a perfect contrition, or a pure love of God.

'Every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God' (1 John iv. 7).

25. What is the Baptism of blood?

Martvrdom for the sake of Christ. 'He that shall lose his life for me shall find it' (Matt. x. 39).

Application. jNTever forget what you owe to God for the inestimable grace of Baptism ; and often, if possible every Sunday, renew your Baptismal Yows.