Advice on Children Baptism

[zz912]

All morning, I have been trying to recollect the pastor’s exact words (Southern Baptist) when I was baptized nearly 20 years ago. At first I felt confident that it was in the name of the Trinity, but now I’m not sure exactly what the wording was and it may have been only in the name of Jesus

DH can’t recall either and May or may not be able to get a certificate of baptism

Guess we’ll have to sort that out with a priest if the time comes.

Reeeeeeellllllaaaaaaaaxxxxx.

Speak to yor pastor at the parish and explain the situation. If you decide to enter RCIA (and I hope you do!), you will have some time to try and obtain the proper certificates. If you can’t, or there is some uncertainty about the baptismal formula used, the priest will perform a conditional baptism. So if there was a problem, you will be baptized in the Church. If you were properly baptized previously, then that baptism is valid and stands, so no harm/no foul.

In fact, Jimmy Akin, well known and great Catholic apologist had a conditional baptism when he converted as well.

 

[Della]

All morning, I have been trying to recollect the pastor’s exact words (Southern Baptist) when I was baptized nearly 20 years ago. At first I felt confident that it was in the name of the Trinity, but now I’m not sure exactly what the wording was and it may have been only in the name of Jesus

DH can’t recall either and May or may not be able to get a certificate of baptism

Guess we’ll have to sort that out with a priest if the time comes.

If you can get verbal confirmation/certificate of your baptism and the words used from your former Baptist church that’d be great. Or you can ask family members what they remember about it. In any case, as zz912 cited, you wouldn’t need such information unless/until you start taking instruction in the Church, either through RCIA or private instruction with the priest. If you are not validly baptized you would be a catechumen–the word for the unbaptized seeking instruction in the Catholic faith. If you are validly baptized you would be a candidate. Either way, you would be covered, so it’s all good.

You have my prayers for you and your family.

 

[AmbroseSJ]

All morning, I have been trying to recollect the pastor’s exact words (Southern Baptist) when I was baptized nearly 20 years ago. At first I felt confident that it was in the name of the Trinity, but now I’m not sure exactly what the wording was and it may have been only in the name of Jesus

DH can’t recall either and May or may not be able to get a certificate of baptism

Guess we’ll have to sort that out with a priest if the time comes.

Since Baptists do not believe in Baptismal regeneration, I would want a conditional baptism myself.

 

[St_Francis]

I’ve included links to priests who post her, who may be able best to answer your concerns if you explain the facts as you have to us. Hopefully they will be able to respond quickly. You gradually have explained everything so if you put all those facts together they will best understand your situation.

In your very natural worry for your children you could have the conditional baptism, but with the expectation that the children will require Baptism when and if you enter the Church to ensure the reception of Sacraments in the future to go ahead without possible complication or uncertainty.

No, conditional baptism is in cases when a baptism might have been performed but they are unsure, or when there is a chance the baptism was not performed correctly; you can’t baptize someone temporarily or anything like that.

If a baptism of desire, the children would still need to be validly baptized when and if you join the Church, as Baptism is a Sacrament. If your church believes only that it is symbolic they don’t recognize Baptism as a true Sacrament and therefore cannot administer the Sacrament.

There are Protestant Churches that do recognize Baptism as a Sacrament so with the Trinitarian requirement and sprinkling or immersing at the dame time, then their Baptisms are accepted as valid by the Catholic Church.

There are a couple of priests I know do post here,
forums.catholic-questions.org/member.php?u=345766
forums.catholic-questions.org/member.php?u=13
forums.catholic-questions.org/member.php?u=389130

God bless you hand help you with all the questions that trouble you, and lead you to where God wants you and your children.

Your sister in Jesus,
Trish