Xxv. Of The Sacrament Of Baptism: Of Its Nature; Of The Minister Of This Sacrament
XXV. OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: OF ITS NATURE; OF THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT
(A)
What is the sacrament of Baptism?
It consists in an ablution, made with natural water, during which are pronounced over the person being baptized, by the person administering the sacrament, these words:" I baptize thee, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (LXVI. 1-5).
Can the same person receive the sacrament of Baptism more than once?
No; this sacrament can be received only once, by reason of the indelible character impressed on the soul (LXVI. 9).
Can the Baptism of blood, or the Baptism of desire, take the place of the Baptism of water?
Yes, the Baptism of blood, which is martyrdom and figures the Passion of our Blessed Lord, and the Baptism of desire, which consists in an act of the love of God through the action of the Holy Ghost, can both take the place of the Baptism of water; but in this sense, that the grace of Baptism can be obtained without the reception of the sacrament itself when this reception is impossible; but not in the sense that the character of the sacrament can be received apart from the sacrament itself (LXVI. 11).
(B)
Who can administer the sacrament of Baptism?
It can be administered validly by every human being having the use of reason and performing the rite correctly with the intention of doing what the Church intends when the Church administers it (LXVII.).
For Baptism to be administered licitlv what is required on the part of the person who administers it?
The person who administers Baptism must be in the conditions determined by the Catholic Church (LXVII.).
What are these conditions?
For Baptism to be administered licitly in the case when ordinary conditions are absent (in which ordinary conditions the priest himself administers it in conformity with the rules laid down by canon law and the ritual), or when in extraordinary circumstances it is administered by a deacon, there must be an urgent necessity for the administering thereof, that is there must be danger of death; and in such case anyone can licitly administer Baptism whether he be priest, or cleric, or layman, man or woman, or child who has attained the use of reason, or even a person who is himself not baptized, provided the correct rite be used and the person have the proper intention: always the order among the persons above mentioned should be followed, and it is only in the case of the absence of the preceding person that the following one may baptize (LXVII. 1-5).
(C)
Whenever Baptism is administered under normal conditions in the Church, or whenever the ceremonies of Baptism have to be supplemented, must there always be a godfather or a godmother for the newly baptized?
Yes, the Church ordains this by virtue of an ancient custom; and because it is fitting that there should be someone whose duty it is to watch over the newly baptized and instruct him in the things of faith and to see that he is faithful to the promises made at Baptism (LXVII. 7).
The duty of godfather or godmother is not then simply a formality but is a grave and important matter?
Yes, there is a strict obligation on the part of godfather or godmother to watch over their charge during life and to see that the things promised in Baptism are kept (LXVII. 8).