Father's baptism

  • Thread starter Thread starter whatsthetruth
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
W

whatsthetruth

Guest
While talking to my mother today I found out that my father has never been baptised. This made me very upset b/c he is a great and loving father and someone my family looks up to. He deserves to recieve salvation and I don’t want anything bad to happen to him.

I know he believes in Jesus, he prays and listens to church on the radio. He works a lot of hours and he is getting older… he has NEVER been a people person (rough childhood). He isn’t a Catholic but he has gone to church with us.

What can I do to help him? Does he have to go through the entire RCIA program b/c I don’t know how I’d get him to go through the whole process and I don’t know how I’d get him to go in front of everyone at my church to be baptised. Is there any such thing as a home baptism?
 
In the good old times the majority of the children and occasionally adults were baptized in the sacristy, without any publicity; this is possible.

Anyone to be baptized as adult must receive some instruction, and must show the knowledge of our faith. The instruction before 1975 was two or three private session, certain churches are accepting this method too, it is lawful.

No adult can be baptized against his will.

The baptism as sacrament belongs to the authority of the local parish (where you live), and to be baptized elsewhere the permission of the local pastor is required, but this can be assumed, supposed that the fact is reported to the local parish. In other words: one can shop for church to be baptized there.
 
I would suggest that you try to find an FSSP parish and talk with the priest. Our FSSP priest gives one on one instruction. Baptisms are usually done before Mass with only family in attendence.
 
The best thing you can do for your father is to pray for him. Pray that the Holy Spirit may move him to seek baptism. Is your mother Catholic? Perhaps the two of you could pray together for your father. Maybe offer a daily rosary or other prayer on his behalf.

Adults must seek baptism on their own. At the point where he wants to be baptized he should speak to the priest about what would be required.
 
whatsthetruth said:
While talking to my mother today I found out that my father has never been baptised. T
Click to expand...
the key fact is missing–does he want to be baptized? when he does, he will go to the pastor of the nearest Catholic church and ask these questions for himself. Nothing you or any other family member can do other than live your faith and give the example of a joyful committed Catholic.
 
I say you talk to him about it and urge him to seek instruction and be baptized. He might not know the importance of baptism, or be scared/shy about it because of his age. You can at least ask him.
 
Okay thanks everyone, ill continue to pray for him and I will ask him – God Bless you
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top