Can one Baptize himself?

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Paxvobis

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I’ve always wondered about this. If anyone can perform a valid baptism, than can one baptize himself validly?

Could one pour water on his head thrice saying “I baptize myself in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen”?

Just a little speculation.
 
No. I mean, Jesus didn’t baptize himself, I don’t see why we can.
 
Nope

Need a minister or someone who is baptized to do this for you.
 
ConstantineTG said:
No, anyone can give baptism. You do not need a baptized person to give baptism.
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Ahhh thanks for that correction. I sit corrected.

I looked in Canon Law, it did say that the person who was baptizing had to have the right intention. Obviously you would not want a Satanist baptizing you.

So this raises another question, if someone baptizes you and did not have the intention to baptize you and did not believe in God, then well I guess the baptism would be invalid right? If I need to go and start a new topic then I will.

God bless.
 
Little_One0307 said:
Ahhh thanks for that correction. I sit corrected.

I looked in Canon Law, it did say that the person who was baptizing had to have the right intention. Obviously you would not want a Satanist baptizing you.

So this raises another question, if someone baptizes you and did not have the intention to baptize you and did not believe in God, then well I guess the baptism would be invalid right? If I need to go and start a new topic then I will.

God bless.
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That is why there are conditional baptisms done on those baptized out of necessity.
 
Little_One0307 said:
Ahhh thanks for that correction. I sit corrected.

I looked in Canon Law, it did say that the person who was baptizing had to have the right intention. Obviously you would not want a Satanist baptizing you.

So this raises another question, if someone baptizes you and did not have the intention to baptize you and did not believe in God, then well I guess the baptism would be invalid right? If I need to go and start a new topic then I will.

God bless.
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Not necessarily. I would think if they knew that you seriously believed in it and did it out of genuine respect for that belief, then even if they didn’t believe themselves it would still be valid. Otherwise no one who disbelieved in the slightest particle would be able to perform a valid baptism.
 
Little_One0307 said:
Nope

Need a minister or someone who is baptized to do this for you.
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From the CCC:
1256 The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, also the deacon.57 In case of necessity, anyone, even a non-baptized person, with the required intention, can baptize58 , by using the Trinitarian baptismal formula. The intention required is to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes. The Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation.59
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But apparently, in the case of necessity, even “heretics” can baptize. 🤷

I guess that is where the whole “Protestants can have valid baptisms” thing comes from.
Catechism of the Council of Trent
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Those who may administer Baptism in case of necessity, but without its solemn ceremonies, hold the last place; and in this class are included all, even the laity, men and women, to whatever sect they may belong. This office extends in case of necessity, even to Jews, infidels and heretics, provided, however, they intend to do what the Catholic Church does in that act of her ministry. These things were established by many decrees of the ancient Fathers and Councils; and the holy Council of Trent denounces anathema against those who dare to say, that Baptism, even when administered by heretics, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the intention of doing what the Church does, is not true Baptism.
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ConstantineTG said:
No, anyone can give baptism. You do not need a baptized person to give baptism.
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Correct! Anyone can baptise in the case of necessity.

Catechism of the Catholic Church V. Who can Baptize?

1256 The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, also the deacon.57*** In case of necessity, any person, even someone not baptized, can baptize,*** if he has the required intention. the intention required is to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes, and to apply the Trinitarian baptismal formula. the Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation.58

The Catechism does not explicitly forbid baptising oneself with the right intention and formula but even so, the best way to be baptised is by a real priest and then welcomed into a community of real believers.

Faith and Baptism

1253 Baptism is the sacrament of faith.54 But faith needs the community of believers. It is only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe. the faith required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called to develop. the catechumen or the godparent is asked: “What do you ask of God’s Church?” the response is: “Faith!”

1254 For all the baptized, children or adults, faith must grow after Baptism. For this reason the Church celebrates each year at the Easter Vigil the renewal of baptismal promises. Preparation for Baptism leads only to the threshold of new life. Baptism is the source of that new life in Christ from which the entire Christian life springs forth.

1255 For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents’ help is important. So too is the role of the godfather and godmother, who must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized - child or adult on the road of Christian life.55 Their task is a truly ecclesial function (officium).56 The whole ecclesial community bears some responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism.

Edit: Which is sort of a wishy-washy answer. But if anyone knows of anything less ambiguous I’d love to see it. 🙂
 
Steadfast_love said:
Correct! Anyone can baptise in the case of necessity.

Catechism of the Catholic Church V. Who can Baptize?

1256 The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, also the deacon.57*** In case of necessity, any person, even someone not baptized, can baptize,*** if he has the required intention. the intention required is to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes, and to apply the Trinitarian baptismal formula. the Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation.58

The Catechism does not explicitly forbid baptising oneself with the right intention and formula but even so, the best way to be baptised is by a real priest and then welcomed into a community of real believers.

Faith and Baptism

1253 Baptism is the sacrament of faith.54 But faith needs the community of believers. It is only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe. the faith required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called to develop. the catechumen or the godparent is asked: “What do you ask of God’s Church?” the response is: “Faith!”

1254 For all the baptized, children or adults, faith must grow after Baptism. For this reason the Church celebrates each year at the Easter Vigil the renewal of baptismal promises. Preparation for Baptism leads only to the threshold of new life. Baptism is the source of that new life in Christ from which the entire Christian life springs forth.

1255 For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents’ help is important. So too is the role of the godfather and godmother, who must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized - child or adult on the road of Christian life.55 Their task is a truly ecclesial function (officium).56 The whole ecclesial community bears some responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism.

Edit: Which is sort of a wishy-washy answer. But if anyone knows of anything less ambiguous I’d love to see it. 🙂
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I follow your logic on this one. That’s a good explanation if I ever saw one.

Hey no thanks for saying this. You know what’s funny, I had my CCC right here, but I thought that I would find it in the Code of Canon Law. Thanks so much for posting this. I guess the moral of this story is to look in the CCC and then reach of the other source books.

God bless you.
 
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