1. What is Baptism?
Baptism is the Sacrament which makes me a Christian and a member of the Church and gives me the right to receive the other Sacraments.
2. What does Baptism do to my Soul?
The Sacrament of Baptism –
1) takes away all sins from my soul, Original Sin, mortal sins
and venial sins “Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins” (Acts 2:38).
2) puts grace into my soul for the first time
3. What do I have to do to be baptized? In order to be baptized, I must
1) take a full course of instructions in the Catholic Religion
2) be approved by the Priest who is giving me instructions
3) have the right intention
4. What is meant by the “right intention”?
The “right intention” means that I wish to become a Catholic because the Catholic Church is the only Church made by Jesus and that I promise to cut myself away from all false religions, to be always a true Catholic and to give up all sinful habits.
5. Why do I have to be baptized?
I have to be baptized because Jesus said so and because the Catholic Church teaches that it is necessary.
“Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven” (John 3:5).
6. What kind of a sin is it to delay Baptism?
It is a mortal sin to delay Baptism when I am convinced that the Catholic Church is the only True Church.
“Why tarriest thou? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16).
7. Do babies have to be baptized?
Yes, babies have to be baptized because they have Original Sin on their souls, which means there is no grace in their souls.
8. How soon should a baby be baptized?
As soon as possible after the baby is born, (within 2 or 3 weeks) it should be brought to the Parish Church to be baptized. It is a mortal sin to delay the Baptism of a baby for a long time.
9. Who gives Baptism?
a) The Priest in ordinary cases should baptize
b) In danger of death, anyone, even a non-Catholic, can baptize if the priest cannot be reached in time.
10. How is Baptism given?
Baptism is given by pouring water over the forehead of the person to be baptized, and saying the words “I baptize thee, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost” while pouring the water.
11. Is this the only way Baptism can be given?
No, Baptism used to be given also by placing the person to be baptized completely in the water; it was done in this way in the Catholic Church for 1200 years.
12. Why do Protestants have to be baptized again in the Catholic Church?
Protestants are baptized again just to make sure that they are really baptized since it is almost impossible to find out if a person’s baptism in a Protestant church was done correctly.
13. Why do I have to have a sponsor for Baptism?
A sponsor’s duty is to watch over me and see that I stay a good Catholic and to give me good example.
14. Why do I take the name of a saint when I am baptized?
I take the name of a Saint at Baptism to have that Saint watch over me and protect me and to have someone to imitate.
15. What should an expectant mother in a non-Catholic hospital do?
She should tell the doctors and nurses that she is a Catholic and that, if there is any danger to the life of the baby, they should send for the Priest right away.
16. What should be done in case of a real emergency?
In case of a real emergency, the doctor or nurse should baptize the baby, even in the womb, if necessary.
17. What should be done in the case of a miscarriage?
If there is a miscarriage, the whole substance from the womb should be put into water right away, and the words “I baptize thee in the name of the Father” and so on should be said by the one baptizing.
It should be noted that the water has to flow over the skin of the fetus or embryo. Consequently, it is sometimes necessary to break the protective membrane which encloses the body.