Baptism

[helpneeded333]

I am a new Catholic. I have a question to ask. When my two daughters had baptism last Easter, the pastor said my older daughter name but baptized my younger daughter and said my younger daughter’s name but baptized my older daughter. At that time, no body stood up to correct him. Do you think the baptism is valid? Do they both need to be baptized again?

 

[Spencerian]

I am a new Catholic. I have a question to ask. When my two daughters had baptism last Easter, the pastor said my older daughter name but baptized my younger daughter and said my younger daughter’s name but baptized my older daughter. At that time, no body stood up to correct him. Do you think the baptism is valid? Do they both need to be baptized again?

Hi.

While the priest was obviously confused in identity, his *intent *to baptize both of your daughters was present. Baptism requires water, the proper intention to baptize, consent of the person to be baptized (in most instances) and the Trinitarian formula (“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”).

The priest can’t rename your daughters, so as long as they received the proper form, I’m sure the Spirit has the two straight in His books. I’m sure the baptisms are valid based on your account, but check with your pastor to be very sure.

 

[DavidFilmer]

The Baptisms are valid. Saying the name is part of the rite, but not part of the Sacrament itself.

 

[Joe_5859]

When my son got baptized, the priest substituted the godfather’s middle name for my son’s middle name (he had just been looking at the baptismal form prior to the Baptism, so they just got mixed up in his head). It’s still valid, though.