Infant Baptisms

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bevwilson

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I’ve noticed recently that when the deacon in my parish baptizes an infant or small child in our baptismal pool, he immerses the baby’s or child’s body but does not get water on the baby’s head.

I always thought that water needed to flow over the child’s head & face. Is this something new? Please help me to understand.
 
bevwilson said:
I’ve noticed recently that when the deacon in my parish baptizes an infant or small child in our baptismal pool, he immerses the baby’s or child’s body but does not get water on the baby’s head.

I always thought that water needed to flow over the child’s head & face. Is this something new? Please help me to understand.
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The Baptismal Rite does specify that water flows over the head or forehead.
 
bevwilson said:
I’ve noticed recently that when the deacon in my parish baptizes an infant or small child in our baptismal pool, he immerses the baby’s or child’s body but does not get water on the baby’s head.

I always thought that water needed to flow over the child’s head & face. Is this something new? Please help me to understand.
Click to expand...
The Church most certainly requires the baptismal water to come in contact with the head of the individual being baptized:

CCC 1278* The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water on his head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.*

CCC 1284 In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pours water on the candidate’s head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

“Immersing” = entire body, from head to toe. “Immersing the candidate” is not defined as “everything except for the head.” That would be ludicrous.

Someone needs to speak to the priest/bishop that deacon reports to. Not only does he need to change his ways, they had better ascertain if everyone he has baptized is indeed baptized.

There is clearly confusion on this critical manner. I hope you follow through…
 
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