Baptism Validity- Interruption in Trinatarian Formula

[enzo77]

Dear forum users,

Something is bugging me since some time now and I can’t get it out of my head. So I’d appreciate your help and answers to sort this out.

During the baptism of our baby daughter last December. The priest, while saying the Trinatarian formula and pouring the water over her head, after he said: “In the name of the Father <>, and the Son <>” He then interrupts and says: “Oh how calm she is” obviously surprised because he was expecting her to cry when she didnt’. Then continues: “and the Holy Spirit <>”

I don’t know what to make of it… Matter (water) and intention are obiously there, but about the form (Trinatarian formula) well it was said eventually but there was an interruption in the sequence…
Is the Baptism valid?

Many thanks!

 

[SMHW]

The words are not a magical incantation.

We can argue about whether or not the priest should have interrupted the baptismal words to make such a comment. But the priest used the proper words and performed the proper actions.

I would not doubt the validity of your daughter’s baptism.

 

[dans0622]

… I don’t know what to make of it… Matter (water) and intention are obiously there, but about the form (Trinatarian formula) well it was said eventually but there was an interruption in the sequence…
Is the Baptism valid? …

Hello,

If the addition/omission/alteration of a Sacramental form changes the essential meaning of the form, then the result is invalidity. Since this statement did not alter the essential meaning of the form, it did not render the Sacrament invalid.

Here is how St. Thomas explained it: newadvent.org/summa/4060.htm#article8

Dan

 

[enzo77]

Thanks SMHW, Dan for your posts.
An answer from Saint Thomas Aquinas is exactly what I needed

 

[pianistclare]

The words are not a magical incantation.

We can argue about whether or not the priest should have interrupted the baptismal words to make such a comment. But the priest used the proper words and performed the proper actions.

I would not doubt the validity of your daughter’s baptism.

Exactly.
He spoke out of the joy in his heart.
No issues.

 

[GoGoDiego]

The baptism is still valid. It only calls for the omission/alteration that renders it invalid. Although I think, in my opinion, that the priest should have praised the baby after the pouring of the water on the infant. It would lose a bit of the solemnity.

 

[porthos11]

Here’s an old Roman form of baptism, as reported by St. Hippolytus:

“When the one being baptized goes down into the water, the one baptizing him shall put his hand on him and speak thus: ‘Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty?’ And he that is being baptized shall say: ‘I believe.’ Then, having his hand imposed upon the head of the one to be baptized, he shall baptize him once. Then he shall say: ‘Do you believe in Christ Jesus . . . ?’ And when he says: ‘I believe,’ he is baptized again. Again shall he say: ‘Do you believe in the Holy Spirit and the holy Church and the resurrection of the flesh?’ The one being baptized then says: ‘I believe.’ And so he is baptized a third time”