Baptism in an emergency, ceremony later?

[matthewdknight]

Good morning CAF,

A good friend of mine has a baby sister who was very sick and hospitalized recently. It was unclear whether she was going to survive, so naturally the family had the child baptized by the hospital chaplain. The parents now would like her to participate in a baptism ceremony – obviously without performing the sacrament again, but for blessings and appointment of godparents, etc.

What precedent is there for this, and what might the procedure be?

 

[Phemie]

Good morning CAF,

A good friend of mine has a baby sister who was very sick and hospitalized recently. It was unclear whether she was going to survive, so naturally the family had the child baptized by the hospital chaplain. The parents now would like her to participate in a baptism ceremony – obviously without performing the sacrament again, but for blessings and appointment of godparents, etc.

What precedent is there for this, and what might the procedure be?

There definitely is a precedent and online I’ve found the specific policies of both the Dallas Diocese and the Archdiocese of Edmonton. Our own Pastor insists that the parents of children baptized in an emergency bring them back to the church so that he can supply the ceremonies that weren’t done at the time of Baptism.

That could be the Anointing with Chrism if the child wasn’t confirmed at the time of the Baptism (they could have been - in fact our Rite says they should be - but I haven’t seen any priest in my parish do that), the Presentation of the White Garment, the Presentation of the Light and the Ephpheta Rite (if it’s done in your parish) as well as the naming of the sponsors.

All she has to do is speak to her pastor and he’ll arrange it.

The baptism itself is supposed to be recorded in the territorial parish where it occurred. If the ceremonies are supplied at a later date, the day, parish where they were supplied and names of the godparents should be sent to the baptismal parish so that they can be entered in their register.

 

[1ke]

Good morning CAF,

A good friend of mine has a baby sister who was very sick and hospitalized recently. It was unclear whether she was going to survive, so naturally the family had the child baptized by the hospital chaplain. The parents now would like her to participate in a baptism ceremony – obviously without performing the sacrament again, but for blessings and appointment of godparents, etc.

What precedent is there for this, and what might the procedure be?

Yes. The Church has a rite for this situation. The parents need to contact the local parish pastor, notify him of the hospital baptism, and then ask to supply the rites of baptism. This would be the anointing, the presentation of the candle, the white garment, etc. There is a rite for this in the liturgical books of the Church. The pastor will be familiar with what needs to be done.

 

[mommy_k]

You should discuss this with the priest. If a certificate was issued for the original baptism, then the baby was baptised fully. The parish priest can then do a special blessing ceremony (not baptism).

 

[PJM]

=matthewdknight;11343096]Good morning CAF,

A good friend of mine has a baby sister who was very sick and hospitalized recently. It was unclear whether she was going to survive, so naturally the family had the child baptized by the hospital chaplain. The parents now would like her to participate in a baptism ceremony – obviously without performing the sacrament again, but for blessings and appointment of godparents, etc.

What precedent is there for this, and what might the procedure be?

SPEAK to your PASTOR.

A second baptism is NOT possible

a PUBLIC BLESSING could be:thumbsup:

 

[Brendan]

SPEAK to your PASTOR.

A second baptism is NOT possible

a PUBLIC BLESSING could be:thumbsup:

See 1ke’s post above,

The Church has a specific Rite for what the OP is asking for. The Baptism is not repeated (nor can it be) but the other aspects of the Rite of Baptism, such as the anointing with Chrism, the donning of the Baptismal garments and the reception of the Baptism candle are preformed.

 

[Chatter163]

It is called “supplying the ceremonies” of baptism and is done all the time. The Roman Ritual has a rite for this situation.