Baptism

In the sacrament of baptism, we consider three things:(a) that which is sacrament only, that is, the sacrament as sign; the water used in baptizing; the washing; (b) that which is reality only, that is, inward grace;justification; (c) that which is reality and sacrament, that is, the sacramental character impressed by baptism on the soul of the person baptized.

Baptism received the power of conferring grace when Christ was baptized. This was the institution of baptism as a sacrament. But the obligation of receiving this sacrament was officially imposed on mankind by our Lord, after his Passion and Resurrection.

Water is the matter of baptism, that is, it isthe material used in making the sign which is a sacrament. In St.John (3:5) we read: “Unless a man be born again of water andthe Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Any true natural water may be used for baptizing. If alien substances be mingled with the water, yet not in such quantity as to destroy its nature as true water, they do not makeit unavailable for baptizing.

In every sacrament, we distinguish matter and form. The matter, as we explained above, is the material of which the sign is constituted. The form is the authentic anddeterminate formula of words used in confecting the sacrament, thatis, making the sign into a true sacrament. In baptism, the matter is, remotely, water; proximately, the matter is water applied in the act of baptizing. And the form, in baptism, isthe set of words to be used in applying the matter, namely, the words, “I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:19).

We read (Acts 8:12) that the apostles baptized “inthe name of Jesus Christ.” This does not mean that the apostles changed the essential formula which names the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. It merely means that the apostlesbaptized by the authority of Christ, and that they used the name of Jesus Christ in connection with baptism. By special divine revelation, the apostles were instructed to employ the holy name of Jesus Christ to win it reverence among people, both Jew and Gentile, who had been taught to hate it. These people were to see that the Holy Ghost was given in baptism at the invocation of the holy name of Jesus.

The word baptism means a washing. Now, a washing may be done by immersion in water, by the pouring of water,and even by the sprinkling of water. Therefore, immersion is not requisite for baptism.

“Trine immersion” or its equivalent”threefold pouring” is used in baptism solemnly conferredaccording to the ceremonial of the Church. Yet this is not essential for valid baptism; one pouring suffices.

Baptism cannot be repeated. If a man is spirituallyborn by baptism, he cannot be born again spiritually. Baptismimprints on the soul of the person baptized an indelible character which, being once impressed, cannot be impressed again. And baptism always takes away original sin, Once original sin is taken away, it does not recur or return to the soul.

The essentials for baptism are: the matter(water applied), the form (the prescribed words), and the minister (who brings matter and form together to constitute the sacrament). For solemn baptism, the Church has surrounded these essentials with suitable ceremonies and prayers.

The sacrament of baptism is baptism conferred with water. The effects of the sacrament, except for theimprinting of the character, may be produced in a soul in two otherways. A person unbaptized who sheds his blood for Christ is said tohave the baptism of blood. A person unable to receive baptism(because he knows nothing of it, or because his efforts to obtain it are unavailing) may be conformed to Christ by love andcontrition, and thus is said to have baptism of desire. Baptism of blood and baptism of desire take away sin and give grace. But they do not imprint the sacramental character on the soul. Hence theyare not truly the sacrament of baptism. Therefore, a survivor of bloody torture endured for Christ, and one whose desire for baptism is no longer thwarted, are to be baptized with water.

Baptism of blood is most excellent in its sacramentaleffects, for bloody suffering brings a man who has charity into union with Christ’s Passion from which baptism has its efficacy. Still, it does not impress the sacramental character.