Tag Archives: baptism

“immensely complex… huge ramifications… major reverberations…”

The Holy Father baptized the baby of a couple who are only civilly married. ¡Vaya lío! From the excellent Canon Law blog of Ed Peters… who is probably smart not to have an open combox.  Or .. maybe he just … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , , , , ,
166 Comments

Pope Francis baptized baby of couple with civil marriage only

This is interesting. Today Pope Francis followed the custom of other Popes and baptized babies in the Sistine Chapel. But wait!  There’s more! I read in La Stampa that the parents of one of the babies isn’t married. That is to … Read More

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97 Comments

Before resigning, Benedict XVI ordered changes to Novus Ordo Baptism Rites

Just before abdicating, Benedict XVI (the Pope of Christian Unity) approved a decree to make a change to the Novus Ordo or Ordinary Form Rite of Baptism: In the decree published in “Notitiae”, 557-558, Ian.-Feb. 2013, 1-2, pagg. 54-56, “communitas … Read More

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28 Comments

QUAERITUR: Do we have the right to ask for Traditional Form baptism?

From a reader: We are planning our daughter’s baptism next month and would appreciate your guidance regarding an issue that has arisen. Our parish does group baptisms twice a month outside of Mass. While our pastor was willing to do … Read More

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53 Comments

QUAERITUR: May the pascal candle be used at EF baptisms?

NB: In a comment below, a participant posted some points about when the paschal candle may be used in the Extraordinary Form.  Don’t just read my answer and then move on without also reading that comment.  You will know which … Read More

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35 Comments

QUAERITUR: Baptism outside one’s parish

From a priest: After 17 years as a priest I’m surprised I can’t track down an answer to this, but even our diocesan faculties booklet is unclear. A priest of our diocese baptized an infant whose parents are registered in … Read More

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33 Comments

QUAERITUR: The “Churching” of Women after childbirth

From a reader: Can the Churching ritual be performed directly after the baptism, or should it be done on a different day? I ask this for clarity, as this will be the priest’s first time performing a baptism in the … Read More

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51 Comments

QUAERITUR: Are Mormons Christians?

From a reader: I have a friend who is Mormon and she claims that they are indeed Christian but something in me says they are not. She claims that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and her Lord and … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill | Tagged , , , , , , , ,
47 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can I be godfather to child of a former-Catholic, now Orthodox?

From a reader: A childhood friend of mine formerly a catholic “converted” to an Eastern Orthodox Church to get married. Now they are expecting their first child and have asked me to stand as sponsor for their child in their … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , ,
58 Comments

American Bishop receives kudos from the Pope for reordering sacraments

This should cause some discussion! From CNA: Bishop Aquila receives Pope’s praise for reordering sacraments By David Kerr Rome, Italy, Mar 8, 2012 / 03:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo said he is delighted to have first-hand … Read More

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101 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can parishes stop baptizing during Lent?

From a reader: Our pastor has a policy of no infant baptism during Lent. We have baby due prior to Ash Wednesday and would like to baptize son after. I am under impression canon law mandates infant baptism soon after … Read More

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37 Comments

QUAERITUR: conferring baptism using another person’s hand

A few people asked me today via email about the validity of a baptism wherein someone used the hand of a dead person to pour the water, someone moving the hand. A rare scenario, of course, and one that is … Read More

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20 Comments

Judge or theologian? Court determines child cannot be baptized.

This from “down under“. Mum loses biblical row in court by: Shelley Hadfield From: Herald Sun A COURT has been forced to intervene in a bitter dispute between estranged parents over whether their seven-year-old daughter should be baptised. A magistrate … Read More

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22 Comments

QUAERITUR: Valid matter, water, for baptism

From a reader: Several months ago, we attended a violin recital in a Methodist church (did not attend their service) and the pastor announced that he would be doing a “beach baptism”, and I imagine that he used the salt … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The future and our choices | Tagged , ,
14 Comments

QUAERITUR: How to do an emergency baptism.

From a reader: It’s getting close to my wife’s due date, and since her pregnancy is considered high risk, I wanted to be prepared for every condition. If there is a need to preform an emergency baptism at the hospital … Read More

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37 Comments

QUAERITUR: Validity of baptism when water touches only the hair – Fr Z rants

From a deacon: I was wondering how safe it is to assume that water flowing over the hair along with the correct words constitutes a valid baptism. I ask because there were just 12 babies baptized in my parish and … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Puir Slow-Witted Gowk, Slubberdegullions, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , ,
20 Comments

REVIEW: Baptism booklet (Angelus Press, 2006)

A while back I fielded a question about the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism in the traditional form, using the older Rituale Romanum.  In that discussion the issue of booklets for the use of bystanders came up. The nice … Read More

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8 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can a traditional rite of baptism be in English?

From a priest reader: Please excuse my sending this request to you, but I have not been able to find an answer to my questions. A couple have asked me to baptize their soon-to-be-born child, using the EF of Baptism.  … Read More

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20 Comments

QUAERITUR: Received baptism from SSPX – must I be conditionally baptized?

From a reader: I write inquiring about the validity of my baptism at the SSPX. I approached the Roman Catholic Parish in our area and inquired about this matter. The parish priest told me that i will be given a … Read More

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33 Comments

QUAERITUR: Baptisms in Advent

From a reader: Our fifth child is due on November 24.  To allow for the possibility that he might be late, we attempted to schedule a private baptism on Gaudete Sunday. My pastor says that no baptisms can be celebrated … Read More

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55 Comments