Baptism Question

[iseekanswers]

Hello all,

First off, I wanted to thank this whole community for all of the help that you’ve given me! Everyone here has been nothing but wonderful in answering my questions and giving me valuable information! I have attended three Mass services since I started visiting this site, and I’m looking to become a regular attendee of my local Catholic church and hopefully start an RCIA track as soon as I can.

I was just wondering about the subject of baptism… I was baptized when I was six years old in a Baptist church (and have obviously committed many sins since then). I disagree with much of the Baptist doctrine, and I really disagree with many of the things that my former church did - in fact, the experiences that I had when I was younger at that church were the root cause of my temporarily leaving Christianity a few years ago.

With this in mind, there’s a part of me that would like to be baptized again. Is this possible, or should I just be content with the baptism that I received during my youth?

Thank you all for your time!
-iseekanswers (and I’m finding more and more of them)

Edit: Apologies for posting in the wrong section - I just realized that this should have gone under “Liturgy and Sacraments”

 

[Splagchnizomai]

Baptist baptism is considered valid by the Catholic Church. There is no need to be baptized again, and you will not be baptized again.

If you decide to go through RCIA, you will be confirmed at the Easter Vigil (and shortly before that you will make your first confession). Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments, and it is administered via holy oil.

btw, while you are attending Mass, you can make an Act of Spiritual Communion during communion …

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already
there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

You can use this one, or others, or pray with your own words.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

With this in mind, there’s a part of me that would like to be baptized again. Is this possible, or should I just be content with the baptism that I received during my youth?

You’ll have to be content with the baptism you received during your youth because baptism is a one-time thing. Once someone is baptized we do not baptize them again.

However, the Catholic Church does recognize that people sin and need forgiveness. We have a sacrament, Reconciliation, that is focused on the forgiveness of sins after baptism. As you prepare to enter the Church you will have the opportunity to receive this sacrament and have your sins forgiven.

Prayers as you take this step in your life.

 

[martininthefiel]

It really depends on what form your Baptism took.

If you were Baptized in water, and in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are already validly Baptized, and cannot be Baptized a second time. If your Baptism took a different form, as is the case in the Mormon Church, for instance, you are not a Baptized Christian. If there is doubt about the validity of your Baptism, or if you cannot produce evidence of the Sacrament having been performed, the priest may perform a conditional Baptism in the form of, “If you are not already Baptized, I Baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

You should be aware that whenever you recite the Apostle’s Creed, you are reaffirming your Baptismal Covenant.

 

[Splagchnizomai]

It really depends on what form your Baptism took.

If you were Baptized in water, and in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are already validly Baptized, and cannot be Baptized a second time. If your Baptism took a different form, as is the case in the Mormon Church, for instance, you are not a Baptized Christian. If there is doubt about the validity of your Baptism, or if you cannot produce evidence of the Sacrament having been performed, the priest may perform a conditional Baptism in the form of, “If you are not already Baptized, I Baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

You should be aware that whenever you recite the Apostle’s Creed, you are reaffirming your Baptismal Covenant.

Solid overview!

I think even a non-Catholic could utilize holy water and cross himself to also reaffirm his baptism.

 

[iseekanswers]

Baptist baptism is considered valid by the Catholic Church. There is no need to be baptized again, and you will not be baptized again.

If you decide to go through RCIA, you will be confirmed at the Easter Vigil (and shortly before that you will make your first confession). Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments, and it is administered via holy oil.

btw, while you are attending Mass, you can make an Act of Spiritual Communion during communion …

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already
there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

You can use this one, or others, or pray with your own words.

Thank you so much for your reply, and thank you for the prayer! I’ve been saying words akin to these already during communion. God bless!

 

[iseekanswers]

You’ll have to be content with the baptism you received during your youth because baptism is a one-time thing. Once someone is baptized we do not baptize them again.

However, the Catholic Church does recognize that people sin and need forgiveness. We have a sacrament, Reconciliation, that is focused on the forgiveness of sins after baptism. As you prepare to enter the Church you will have the opportunity to receive this sacrament and have your sins forgiven.

Prayers as you take this step in your life.

Thank you for your prayers and your advice! I’m extremely happy with the route that I’m taking, since I feel I am following God’s will, but also somewhat nervous (as I know that my family will not be supportive of this decision).

God bless!

 

[iseekanswers]

It really depends on what form your Baptism took.

If you were Baptized in water, and in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are already validly Baptized, and cannot be Baptized a second time. If your Baptism took a different form, as is the case in the Mormon Church, for instance, you are not a Baptized Christian. If there is doubt about the validity of your Baptism, or if you cannot produce evidence of the Sacrament having been performed, the priest may perform a conditional Baptism in the form of, “If you are not already Baptized, I Baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

You should be aware that whenever you recite the Apostle’s Creed, you are reaffirming your Baptismal Covenant.

I do remember being baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thank you so much for your (name removed by moderator)ut! God bless!

 

[MariaGoretti88]

Hello all,

First off, I wanted to thank this whole community for all of the help that you’ve given me! Everyone here has been nothing but wonderful in answering my questions and giving me valuable information! I have attended three Mass services since I started visiting this site, and I’m looking to become a regular attendee of my local Catholic church and hopefully start an RCIA track as soon as I can.

I was just wondering about the subject of baptism… I was baptized when I was six years old in a Baptist church (and have obviously committed many sins since then). I disagree with much of the Baptist doctrine, and I really disagree with many of the things that my former church did - in fact, the experiences that I had when I was younger at that church were the root cause of my temporarily leaving Christianity a few years ago.

With this in mind, there’s a part of me that would like to be baptized again. Is this possible, or should I just be content with the baptism that I received during my youth?

Thank you all for your time!
-iseekanswers (and I’m finding more and more of them)

Edit: Apologies for posting in the wrong section - I just realized that this should have gone under “Liturgy and Sacraments”

Keep going to Mass! It’s great that you are considering joining RCIA and attending Mass regularly! Deo gratias (Thanks be to God)!

You have already been forgiven of the Original Sin that you inherited from Adam and Eve and once you are received into the Church, you will have the opportunity to make a General Confession before receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist and this will absolve you from all sins committed since your Baptism, and please do as another poster recommended and make Spiritual Communions during Mass.

Remember,

“I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.”