Does water have to flow for Baptism to be valid?

[javier_29]

The Baltimore Catechism indicates that “In baptizing: (1) The water must touch the skin and flow;”

Is this still the case? What about in the case of a premature baby where only a small drop of water is used and therefore the water doesn’t flow.

Thanks
Javier

 

[bpbasilphx]

I think here it’s speaking of what the rubrics of the Roman rite require, in administering baptism, not making a theological statement.

The Byzantine and other Eastern Churches (of which the Baltimore Catechism has traditionally taken no notice) require immersion as the norm.

What if you were baptising someone in extremis who had his head and face heavily bandage? I’m sure this has happened.

Common sense tells you in exceptional circumstances, you come as close as you can to the norm, and trust God’s mercy to make up the difference.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

The Baltimore Catechism indicates that “In baptizing: (1) The water must touch the skin and flow;”

Is this still the case? What about in the case of a premature baby where only a small drop of water is used and therefore the water doesn’t flow.

Thanks
Javier

Yes, that is the general norm, the water must touch the persons skin (under normal circumstances the forehead) and flow.

What about in the case of a premature baby where only a small drop of water is used and therefore the water doesn’t flow. ?? Sufficient water should be used so that it does flow. Re-training may be necessary.

 

[RosaryCrusader]

Yes, it has to flow - anything else is doubtful. I had to get a child conditionally baptised because of such an instance where the priest just ‘annointed’ my kids head with a wet thumb - it was an emergency situation. After coming across this topic in a moral theology manual I asked my FSSP Priest about it and he said the baptism was probably not valid. After an inquiry to the diocese they deemed it should be re-done conditionally.

You have to keep in mind that the ideal is full immersion and that sprinkling became the norm because it wasn’t always practical for full immersion. Because of this there are limitations to the sprinkling (such as the water must run, it must touch skin - not hair etc.) that would not be an issue if you were being fully immersed.

 

[Tracy24]

The Baltimore Catechism indicates that “In baptizing: (1) The water must touch the skin and flow;”

Is this still the case? What about in the case of a premature baby where only a small drop of water is used and therefore the water doesn’t flow.

Thanks
Javier

Hi there! I can speak regarding Baptizing a premature baby since my daughter is a 26 weeker preemie. She was Baptized in the NICU by the hospital Priest at 4 weeks old which made her the equivalent of a 30 week gestational age baby and the water did indeed flow. Her nurse was informed that we were going to Baptize her and she prepared the isolette by putting a soft fluffy towel under her head to keep the water from soaking the bedding.

As far as I can tell there is no reason in this instance where the water should not flow and the nurses are usually more than happy to do whatever is needed to prepare, I’m fairly certain nurses who work in ICU units are no strangers to emergency Baptisms and they probably see quite a few of them.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hi there! I can speak regarding Baptizing a premature baby since my daughter is a 26 weeker preemie. She was Baptized in the NICU by the hospital Priest at 4 weeks old which made her the equivalent of a 30 week gestational age baby and the water did indeed flow. Her nurse was informed that we were going to Baptize her and she prepared the isolette by putting a soft fluffy towel under her head to keep the water from soaking the bedding.

As far as I can tell there is no reason in this instance where the water should not flow and the nurses are usually more than happy to do whatever is needed to prepare, I’m fairly certain nurses who work in ICU units are no strangers to emergency Baptisms and they probably see quite a few of them.

And in extreme cases a small 10cc syringe of sterile water can be used.