Baptism as a child or adult?

[1ke]

OK so, what I am trying to ask here before you all depress me haha IS: wouldn’t experiencing baptism as an adult, meaning being fully aware of Gods awesome love and grace upon us be more meaningful to an individual than say receiving it as a baby that even though you are pardoned of Original Sin you aren’t aware of it?

That’s not the point of baptism.

Baptism remits original sin, infuses sanctifying grace, makes us children of God, and strengthens us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Church teaches it is the duty of parents to baptize their children as soon as possible. It is a grave obligation that parents have, and they should not delay baptism.

And yes, I am a Catholic and maybe I’m just trying to ask questions here to look for guidiance from wise folks. Thank you for all who understand and aren’t trying to put me down by questioning my whole system. Aren’t we all a work in progress?

Adult baptism is the exception. It’s for the unchurched. Infant baptism is the norm. It’s for those born into Catholic families.

A person cannot receive any other Sacrament until they have received baptism.

 

[1ke]

I have a 5 year old son who hasn’t been baptized yet. I am not yet a Catholic. Can I have my son baptized or would I have to wait until I take RCIA classes and then Easter 2009?

Also, I was baptized Catholic as a baby but my parents become Protestants when I was four. I got baptized again in the Protestant church a few years ago. Do I have to show proof of one of these baptisms before I become Catholic?If so,which one?

Thank you for your help!

You already are a Catholic. Find out where you were baptized as an infant and notify your current parish. They will obtain your sacramental records from this other church to verify your baptism.

There is no such thing as “rebaptism”. Your Catholic baptism is your baptism. You do not have to “become” Catholic. You ARE Catholic. You need to complete your Sacraments of Initiation and receive catechesis (religious instruction).

Yes, you can have your child baptized.

Go talk to your priest as soon as possible!

 

[Pixie_Dust]

I have a 5 year old son who hasn’t been baptized yet. I am not yet a Catholic. Can I have my son baptized or would I have to wait until I take RCIA classes and then Easter 2009?

Is your husband Catholic? I think that it’s required for at least one parent to be Catholic (which you are by virtue of your Catholic baptism) so I’m not sure. You should probably talk to your priest and see what he thinks.

Also, I was baptized Catholic as a baby but my parents become Protestants when I was four. I got baptized again in the Protestant church a few years ago. Do I have to show proof of one of these baptisms before I become Catholic?If so,which one?

Thank you for your help!

Your Catholic baptism is the one that “counts” since it was first. The Church doesn’t recognize subsequent baptisms. As I said above, you are already considered Catholic, you just need to ‘catch up’ on your sacraments. Probably that will mean RCIA for you. One of the women who went through RCIA last year was in your situation, baptized Catholic and even had her First Holy Communion, but was never confirmed. Her kids were all over 7 (the age of reason) so they went through the program as well and her whole family was baptized (except for her) and confirmed at Easter Vigil.

 

[Denae]

My earliest childhood memory is of asking my mother at four why she hasn’t baptised us yet. She would bring me to Church, but I wasn’t baptised. (my sisters couldn’t sit through an entire Mass without melting down. They are both autistic, and though they can now, they couldn’t then.) My mother had a lot of issues and anger with God, when my sisters and I were little, so she didn’t have us baptised until we were five. I remember the priest putting water on my head and asking my parents and my aunt and uncle questions. (My aunt and uncle are our godparents) That being said, I wholeheartedly support infant baptism. It removes the stain of orginal sin, and officially welcomes a person into the Catholic Church, and lays the groundwork for learning and participating in the Catholic faith. Why on earth wouldn’t you want to do that as soon as you could?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I have a 5 year old son who hasn’t been baptized yet. I am not yet a Catholic. Can I have my son baptized or would I have to wait until I take RCIA classes and then Easter 2009?

Also, I was baptized Catholic as a baby but my parents become Protestants when I was four. I got baptized again in the Protestant church a few years ago. Do I have to show proof of one of these baptisms before I become Catholic?If so,which one?

Thank you for your help!

Talk with your Catholic pastor. He may allow your child to be Baptized before completing your initiation into the Church. Either way his age isn’t an issue. If something should happen to your child he would be Baptized right away.

You Catholic Baptism would be most important. Contact the parish where you were Baptized as an infant, or the diocese in which you were born and Baptized. Your Baptism certificate usually has the city or possibly the address of your parents. The diocese can tell you which parish would most likely be the correct one.

 

[mercygate]

OK so, what I am trying to ask here before you all depress me haha IS: wouldn’t experiencing baptism as an adult, meaning being fully aware of Gods awesome love and grace upon us be more meaningful to an individual than say receiving it as a baby that even though you are pardoned of Original Sin you aren’t aware of it? And yes, I am a Catholic and maybe I’m just trying to ask questions here to look for guidiance from wise folks. Thank you for all who understand and aren’t trying to put me down by questioning my whole system. Aren’t we all a work in progress?

As adults we get to go to Confession as a way of being “fully aware of God’s awesome love and grace.” In the East they even refer to Confession as “The Mystery of Second Baptism.”

Infant baptism strongly emphasizes the fact that we are saved by grace, not by works.