Baptism during Lent

[Mcarland]

I am expecting a baby January 9th. My church baptizes babies once a month and for this January the day for baptisms is January 16th. Unless the baby is born very early, we probably won’t make the January 16th date. My church does not baptize babies during Lent. Due to these reasons, my baby will not be baptized until April. Shouldn’t a baby be baptized as soon as possible? Is it ok to wait until April?

 

[Dr.Colossus]

Canon Law states that:

Can. 867 §1. Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it.

I do not believe it is licit for a parish to deny baptism simply on account of it being Lent.

 

[AmyS]

Mcarland:

I am expecting a baby January 9th. My church baptizes babies once a month and for this January the day for baptisms is January 16th. Unless the baby is born very early, we probably won’t make the January 16th date. My church does not baptize babies during Lent. Due to these reasons, my baby will not be baptized until April. Shouldn’t a baby be baptized as soon as possible? Is it ok to wait until April?

When my daughter was born my Catholic faith became even more important to me… She helped bring me back to the Church. When she was about 9 months old I finally approached the preist about baptizing my daughter… He suggested waiting until Easter, she was baptized April 14th of 1996 and turned a year old April 19th five days later… I don’t know if that helps…

 

[stbruno]

We baptize during Lent, however we do not perform any weddings at our parish.

 

[JCB]

Mcarland:

I am expecting a baby January 9th. My church baptizes babies once a month and for this January the day for baptisms is January 16th. Unless the baby is born very early, we probably won’t make the January 16th date. My church does not baptize babies during Lent. Due to these reasons, my baby will not be baptized until April. Shouldn’t a baby be baptized as soon as possible? Is it ok to wait until April?

Our Baby was born Jan 16th and we had no problem with the baptism during lent. It was important to us baptism as soon as possible. Our Priest is vary traditional and offers the approved Tridentine Mass and has no problem with this.

 

[stbruno]

Different parishes have differrent policies. The parish one mile from us, does not do Lenten baptisms.

 

[chris_ZA]

I strongly recommend that you have your baby baptised as soon as possible after birth. Until fairly recently ( 75 to a 100 years ago) it was common for children to be baptised within a day or two of their birth. High infant mortality made this neccessary. In more modern times and at least up until the Second Vatican Council (and for some time after it) it was still common for children to be baptised within a week or two of their birth.

Remember that the reception of the sacrament is neccessary for salvation. Especially in the case of an infant who cannot be baptised by desire.

Of course should the infant be in danger of dying any person can validly baptise. Whenever I have attended the birth of any of my five children I have made sure that I know how to baptise them and have prepared myself to do so. Not pleasant to think about I know, but very important.

Many parishes now baptise at their conveniece or insist on a immersion with pouring baptism. These immersion baptisms usually delay the baptism by up to six-months or more. Although of course they bathe in hospital shortly after birth. Go figure. Baptism either by sprinkling or pouring is equally valid. Pouring is the most convienent method.

All of these delays appear to be an attempt to weaken the belief in the importance of Baptism and the fact that it is neccessary for salvation. Of course adults can by virtue of their desire be baptised and both infants and adults can be baptised by being martyred. Although this happens very rarely in the case of infants. The Holy Innocents (killed on Herod’s order) being the only case I know of.

Do not let anyone play russian roulette with your child’s salvation.
Have him or her baptised as soon as possible.

Good luck and God Bless.

Chris from ZA

 

[kmktexas]

I don’t want you to over-react but if your pastor is telling you that the Church doesn’t (or shouldn’t) do Baptisms during Lent, this may be one of those parishes where the whole idea of Original Sin is downplayed as “old fashioned”.

Giving them the benefit of the doubt, though, make sure that it isn’t just a prohibition on Baptism “celebrations”. Some parishes want Baptisms during Lent to be smaller affairs instead of the whole Church community welcoming type deal.

If it is really the case that they don’t do them, show your pastor the Canon Law citation above and request a private baptism. Don’t waste your time with the DRE or parish administrator or whoever usually does the scheduling.

If you still don’t get a satisfactory answer, go to another parish.

I just noticed that the baby was due four weeks ago. I hope everything went smoothly and that you are enjoying the pleasures of your new little Catholic and that this post is unnecessary.

Congratulations.