Is Full Immersion Baptism Possible?

[SeekNFind]

the Didache does not suggest it states explicitly that baptism all 3 ways is perfectly valid and acceptable.

Thank you for providing this reference. I will look into it further.

 

[SeekNFind]

the normal process is full immersion for adults baptised at the EAster Vigil, but it depends on local custom, the pastor etc. these questions will be addressed during the RCIA process with plenty of time to prepare. But by all means ask the questions, either privately of your catechists and director, or during class. Others will have similar questions.

your profile says Protestant but you don’t say if you have been baptized. No, a valid trinitarian baptism can most definitely NOT be repeated under any circumstances, as St. Paul says, there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

I don’t know where PP gets the idea adults are naked for immersion baptism. You wear something suitable like a tank top and gym shorts under a robe, and enter the water robed, your sponsor wraps you in a beach towel when you come out, and you to to the location where you have left your clothes to change into your regular outfit.

*for fuller more complete discussion of RCIA and related issues come on over the the Evangelization forum you may find the more common questions are already answered there*

Thank you for your insight. On the basilica’s website, the section on baptism only talks about infants and shows a picture of a font. So maybe that’s all they have? Maybe I will call anonymously tomorrow to ask>

Also, I will definitely check out the Evangelization forum.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

…There are portable baptismal pools that churches can buy or rent, …

When we were in the parish hall we used a round metal tub suitably concealed by lilies and ferns. It was a watering trough one of our priests bought from a cattle supply company.

 

[m134e5]

I didn’t see any mention of adults being naked.

Regarding babies being naked, my worry as a parent would be if the little thing dirtied its nappy just as we were coming into church. It would surely mean a delay while it was cleaned up. (And if there were more than one baby being baptised, and this happened, I’d want the water changed, just in case).

I’d be more worried about the baby doing its business right before or after the baptism (or during it) when there’s no nappy to catch it… (I can’t say I like the thought of blessing myself with holy water after a naked baby has just been dunked in it either).

 

[SeekNFind]

I called the church and they don’t have a pool

 

[SeekNFind]

When we were in the parish hall we used a round metal tub suitably concealed by lilies and ferns. It was a watering trough one of our priests bought from a cattle supply company.

Hmm, that’s creative. However, I think if I’m the only person in the class requesting immersion and everyone else is okay with sprinkling then I’ll look crazy. Since they don’t have a pool but rather a font, they probably routinely do pouring or sprinkling for adult baptism. I’m just going to pray about this.

 

[SeekNFind]

Also, I downloaded the Didache to my Kindle today for 99 cents so I’m excited to start reading it.

 

[Link0126]

Hmm, that’s creative. However, I think if I’m the only person in the class requesting immersion and everyone else is okay with sprinkling then I’ll look crazy. Since they don’t have a pool but rather a font, they probably routinely do pouring or sprinkling for adult baptism. I’m just going to pray about this.

My friend, pray about the situation. But also know that you are in good hands. You will not be led astray on this issue. While it would be nice to have your baptism in just the way you prefer, you can rest assured that it will be valid. A lot of us were baptized as babies and don’t remember it at all. So, however you are baptized you will be able to fully experience and remember it forever. Welcome to the Catholic Church.

 

[SeekNFind]

My friend, pray about the situation. But also know that you are in good hands. You will not be led astray on this issue. While it would be nice to have your baptism in just the way you prefer, you can rest assured that it will be valid. A lot of us were baptized as babies and don’t remember it at all. So, however you are baptized you will be able to fully experience and remember it forever. Welcome to the Catholic Church.

Thank you

 

[SeekNFind]

In my searching, I found an interesting article in the NY Times from 1989 on Catholic baptism: nytimes.com/1989/03/25/us/many-catholics-choose-baptism-by-immersion.html

“Although adult baptism is a familiar event in many Christian denominations, for Roman Catholics who are used to simple baptism on the head with holy water, the rites now celebrated are relatively new. Baptism candidates have a choice of total immersion or the water on the head.”

Is it still true that it’s our choice how we want to be baptized? Anyway, I finally sent an e-mail about it and will wait for a response.

 

[Phemie]

In my searching, I found an interesting article in the NY Times from 1989 on Catholic baptism: nytimes.com/1989/03/25/us/many-catholics-choose-baptism-by-immersion.html

“Although adult baptism is a familiar event in many Christian denominations, for Roman Catholics who are used to simple baptism on the head with holy water, the rites now celebrated are relatively new. Baptism candidates have a choice of total immersion or the water on the head.”

Is it still true that it’s our choice how we want to be baptized? Anyway, I finally sent an e-mail about it and will wait for a response.

Logistics dictate whether you will have a choice or not.

In our parish there is no pool, just a simple bowl font. In order to have immersion available for babies we purchased a large plastic bin and a large woven osier basket in which to place it. Parents are given the choice between immersion and pouring.

For the only adult baptism we’ve had in the 14 years I’ve been here, we purchased a large tub which we covered with white cloth and surrounded with plants. There was no immersion possible, but the person could be completely drenched if the priest so chose – in that case the priest went very minimal with only a handful of water each time.

 

[SeekNFind]

Logistics dictate whether you will have a choice or not.

In our parish there is no pool, just a simple bowl font. In order to have immersion available for babies we purchased a large plastic bin and a large woven osier basket in which to place it. Parents are given the choice between immersion and pouring.

For the only adult baptism we’ve had in the 14 years I’ve been here, we purchased a large tub which we covered with white cloth and surrounded with plants. There was no immersion possible, but the person could be completely drenched if the priest so chose – in that case the priest went very minimal with only a handful of water each time.

I’ve seen some videos on youtube (yes, I’ve been watching baptisms on YT ) and in some churches, they have a large tub (not always decorated/disguised) which is large enough for people to kneel in and be dunked. I’ve also seen some cases where the priest had a huge pitcher, filled it with the water and poured it over the person’s head while they knelt in the tub.

 

[anonymous_in_fl]

In the local parishes in my city, we have baptismal pools for full immersion of adults.
Almost all of the “older” parishes have had them installed in a very tasteful way.
And yes, they are heated!!!