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Parents of a newborn sometimes discover that their child, tragically, may
not live long enough to be brought to church for baptism. In the sadness
of this moment, the church longs to comfort parents by keeping baptism
as close as a cup of water. We offer several options for baptism,
depending on the circumstances. If a priest or a deacon is available, he
may lead the entire rite of baptism in the hospital or home of the
child. If the minister is a priest, he should confirm the child. If some
other minister comes, she or he may lead an abbreviated rite of
baptism. Ideally, parents, godparents, friends and neighbors should attend.
If there is no time for that, anyone may baptize the child. Even
you. Get one or two witnesses if you can. Obtain water; it need
not be blessed. Recite the creed (or omit this if there is
no time). Then pour water three times while saying, "I baptize you in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Every Catholic should memorize that formula.
If the child should recover, we rejoice with the family. We invite
the parents to bring the baptized child to church. There, in a rite
resembling baptism, the church receives the child, the parents and
godparents profess their acceptance of responsibilities, and we listen to
Scriptures and offer prayers. Then we anoint the child with chrism, give
him or her a white garment, and light a candle from the Easter candle.
We do not pour water again. You can be baptized only once.
Some parents, nervous about the spiritual welfare of the child, have
baptized their baby at home if they fear a long delay between birth and
baptism. Ideally, the baptism should take place only at the church
with the full ritual, as soon as reasonably possible after birth. A
parent who has baptized the child at home should inform the parish so
the child will not be baptized again. The parish should keep a record
of the child who received an emergency baptism.
Copyright
© 1997, Resource Publications, Inc. 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San
Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505. This article may not be reproduced in any
form without permission from the publisher. For permission e-mail
info@rpinet.com.
Paul
Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate
in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome. |
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