Emergency Baptism

[TBolt1000T]

My mom is in the hospital, and she may be dying. From the research I’ve done so far, her disease has a 50 percent mortality rate from 30 days after onset. I’m still a candidate who has not yet been confirmed into the Catholic Church, and my mom is an unbaptized Christian. She had some really bad experiences as a child with my grandmother’s fundamentalism and other related matters, so she is uncomfortable with most churches in general.

I’ll be seeing Mom either tonight or tomorrow. If she says she wants to be baptized, am I permitted to baptize her in the Trinitarian form by sprinkling, or would I need a minister or priest to do this? Would I need to use holy water, which I currently have a limited supply of? Thanks.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Since she’s not in immediate danger of death, why not ask your priest to visit her at the hospital.

 

[smichhertz]

Technically, anyone can Baptize and it can be valid. What is required is water (doesn’t have to be holy water) poured over the HEAD (not anywhere else) while saying the words “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”.

However, I’m pretty sure that the Church only allows lay people to baptize in cases of emergency. In your specific case, it may still be possible to contact a priest. I’m pretty sure if you explained to a nearby priest that situation, they would be happy to come in and baptize her. Most hospitals have a pager of a Catholic priest they can ring if your mom decides she wants to be baptized, so I’m not sure how necessary it would be for you to perform the baptism. That doesn’t mean that if you did the baptism it would be invalid, but not in line with the Church. There’s probably a more technical way to put this, but I don’t know it. Can someone else help with that?

You may find this link useful:

newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm#VI

Best wishes! You and your mom are in my prayers.

 

[TBolt1000T]

Since she’s not in immediate danger of death, why not ask your priest to visit her at the hospital.

Would it matter to the Church or the priest that she isn’t Catholic?

Also, I’m not sure if she’s in immediate danger of death or not, but she’s in really bad shape. Would the priest be able to go on ahead and perform the Baptism anyway?

 

[puzzleannie]

Would it matter to the Church or the priest that she isn’t Catholic?

Also, I’m not sure if she’s in immediate danger of death or not, but she’s in really bad shape. Would the priest be able to go on ahead and perform the Baptism anyway?

yes the priest could do this if the mother herself requests it and is in danger of death.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Would it matter to the Church or the priest that she isn’t Catholic?

She wouldn’t need baptism if she’s Catholic. Anytime a priest comes to the hospital to baptize someone, for sure that person is not Catholic. It shouldn’t matter. You don’t baptize a Catholic for the obvious reason.

Also, I’m not sure if she’s in immediate danger of death or not, but she’s in really bad shape. Would the priest be able to go on ahead and perform the Baptism anyway?

At this point she’s already considered in danger of death.

 

[dfp42]

Was she ever baptized before in another church etc? You need to find this out. There should be a record of this. Your best bet is to find a Catholic Priest and explain the situation. This is a huge issue, and not something that I would take lightly. Please my friend. Find a catholic priest.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Was she ever baptized before in another church etc? You need to find this out. There should be a record of this. Your best bet is to find a Catholic Priest and explain the situation. This is a huge issue, and not something that I would take lightly. Please my friend. Find a catholic priest.

The OP already said she is unbaptized.

 

[Shin]

My deepest condolences…

God keep you and her!

FWIF…

If a priest can be found, and she will accept one, one should be brought.

It may be that you may have to do it, if there is enough danger to warrant an emergency baptism.

I would call a good priest and consult him on the matter immediately. Soonest.

There are four sermons on baptism on Audio Sancto below that are good catechesis. Just search ‘baptism’ they instruct on how to do an emergency baptism in detail. You want to prepare a person for baptism as best as can be… properly catechize the person beforehand… and preferably to receive baptism from a priest… but if the danger of death is significant enough… an emergency one can be performed… Talk to a priest…

 

[Shin]

Q. 638. How is Baptism given?

A. Whoever baptizes should pour water on the head of the person to be baptized, and say, while pouring the water: “I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Q. 639. If water cannot be had, in case of necessity, may any other liquid be used for baptism?

A. If water cannot be had, in case of necessity or in any case, no other liquid can be used, and the baptism cannot be given.

Q. 640. If it is impossible, in case of necessity, to reach the head, may the water be poured on any other part of the body?

A. If it is impossible, in case of necessity, to reach the head, the water should be poured on whatever part of the body can be reached; but then the baptism must be given conditionally; that is, before pronouncing the words of baptism, you must say: “If I can baptize thee in this way, I baptize thee in the name of the Father,” etc. If the head can afterward be reached, the water must be poured on the head and the baptism repeated conditionally by saying: “If you are not already baptized, I baptize thee in the name,” etc.

• Baltimore Catechism #3

 

[dfp42]

What a blessing it would be if indeed she accepts and wants to be baptized at this point. I hope and pray that she will open her heart to Christ.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

As I think about this situation more, I’m even more positive that you should call a priest. In part it gets away from any problems with the baptism being illicit. But there’s a greater reason as well.

When adults are baptized they are also confirmed and receive their First Communion. I don’t know how all of this would work out in the case of your mother, but what a grace it would be for her to receive all three sacraments. And as long as she remains in the hospital someone could bring her communion.

Please call a priest right away.

 

[Barbkw]

Josh,

Sending prayer for your Mom, for you and for your families.

 

[1ke]

My mom is in the hospital, and she may be dying. From the research I’ve done so far, her disease has a 50 percent mortality rate from 30 days after onset.

I’m very sorry to hear that your mother is in such serious condition.

I’ll be seeing Mom either tonight or tomorrow. If she says she wants to be baptized, am I permitted to baptize her in the Trinitarian form by sprinkling, or would I need a minister or priest to do this? Would I need to use holy water, which I currently have a limited supply of? Thanks.

You would be permitted to baptize her if she were in imminent danger of death, which she isn’t. She also has to consent.

What is ambiguous here is whether or not she has a desire to be baptized in some generic sort of way, or a desire to become Catholic.

If she is baptized by a priest with an express or implied intent to become a Catholic, he will baptize, confirm, and commune. However, if she *survives * (think positive) she will be Catholic with all the obligations and requirements that come with that. So, you and she need to be aware of that commitment.

If she does not express a desire to be Catholic (which I hope she will) then perhaps a non-Catholic minister can baptize her. She would then be baptized, but not a Catholic.

If at any point you believe death is imminent, and she has expressed that she wants to be baptized (get that express intent before she is incapacitated such as unconscious), you can baptize her in the Trinitarian formula by *pouring *water over her head (not sprinkling). It doesn’t have to be much, just a stream of water. It does not have to be holy water, although perhaps knowing this might be needed you can go to a Church and get a supply.

If she expresses a desire to be baptized, you should certainly make sure that happens one way or another before she passes.