Is my Baptism valid?

[thirdworld]

I’ll try to keep this brief.

I recently converted to Catholicism (Easter 2010). I was Baptized and Confirmed in the Catholic Church. I had never been baptized before.

At the time, I’m not sure what I was thinking, feeling, believing, or disbelieving. I really can’t remember.

Shortly after I joined the Church I began doubting God, doubting Catholicism and Christianity as a whole, going through phases of wanting to join other religions, being agnostic or atheist, deist, I even went through a short phase of looking into Voodoo. Basically I totally fell from faith.

Recently I have decided I want to be a serious and devout Catholic. I am worried that my Baptism is not valid though. I can’t say for sure if I really renounced Satan in that exact moment or that I believed in everything the Church taught in that exact moment. I’m worrying myself sick that I am not Catholic at all.

Do I have to be re-baptized just to be sure? Is my Confirmation invalid too? I’m going to Confession for the first time this Sunday before Mass, will that also be invalid? I’m on the verge of tears to be honest. I’m totally stressing about this. I’m finally fully accepting Catholic teaching, Jesus Christ as God, that there is even a God…I’m trying to be pious and moral and I want to believe in God and follow His commandments. I know that’s how I feel now.

Can anyone help with this? I am so desperate for an answer. Thank you so much.

Edit: I have no idea why I put this in the Apologetics section. Can a moderator move it to a more appropriate forum? Sorry.

 

[Totterman]

Jesus,our Lords peace be whit You.
I understand that a moment of doubts sometime happens,in Your case I guess You wher confused,and maybe not ready. But Your Babtism is valid,don’t worry. But now You need to work whit Your self,and start whit analysing why You had doubts. I still say it is because You wos not ready. Sometimes it takes some time,and therefor it is not always good to be Baptised straight away. Faith however is a big issue,and You have taken it serius,wich is good,but You have work to do still. You must attend mass whenever it is possible,read Your Bible every day,pray atleast every morning and evening,live whit the Church,so to speak,and above all have faith. And if You,as You wrote,now are sure about the teaching of the Catholic Curch and are willing to follow both the teachings as well as Jesus,You are on the right track,so to spaek,and confess whit honesty and Your sins will be forgiven. Don’t worry,You will be OK,trust me on this one. Blessings,Totterman.

 

[Tietjen]

I’ll try to keep this brief.

I recently converted to Catholicism (Easter 2010). I was Baptized and Confirmed in the Catholic Church. I had never been baptized before.

At the time, I’m not sure what I was thinking, feeling, believing, or disbelieving. I really can’t remember.

Shortly after I joined the Church I began doubting God, doubting Catholicism and Christianity as a whole, going through phases of wanting to join other religions, being agnostic or atheist, deist, I even went through a short phase of looking into Voodoo. Basically I totally fell from faith.

First, rest assured that your baptism “stuck” (is valid). We are not called to have perfect faith in God and the Church prior to being baptized.
"Cateschism of the Catholic Church para #1247-1249:

1247 Since the beginning of the Church, adult Baptism is the common practice where the proclamation of the Gospel is still new. The catechumenate (preparation for Baptism) therefore occupies an important place. This initiation into Christian faith and life should dispose the catechumen to receive the gift of God in Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
1248 The catechumenate, or formation of catechumens, aims at bringing their conversion and faith to maturity, in response to the divine initiative and in union with an ecclesial community. The catechumenate is to be “a formation in the whole Christian life . . . during which the disciples will be joined to Christ their teacher. The catechumens should be properly initiated into the mystery of salvation and the practice of the evangelical virtues, and they should be introduced into the life of faith, liturgy, and charity of the People of God by successive sacred rites.”
1249 Catechumens “are already joined to the Church, they are already of the household of Christ, and are quite frequently already living a life of faith, hope, and charity.” With love and solicitude mother Church already embraces them as her own."

Recently I have decided I want to be a serious and devout Catholic. I am worried that my Baptism is not valid though. I can’t say for sure if I really renounced Satan in that exact moment or that I believed in everything the Church taught in that exact moment. I’m worrying myself sick that I am not Catholic at all.

Baptism is the beginning of the journey. Doubts, are common and do not negate baptism.

Do I have to be re-baptized just to be sure? Is my Confirmation invalid too? I’m going to Confession for the first time this Sunday before Mass, will that also be invalid?

There is no such thing as “re-baptism.” Since you have already been baptized, you needn’t worry about re-baptism. Because you are a member of the Church, you CAN go to confession as well. When you are in the confessional, speak to the priest on this issue and your concerns. Perhaps he will be able to help you set aside these fears and you will find confidence in the knowledge that you are a valid Catholic.

I’m on the verge of tears to be honest. I’m totally stressing about this. I’m finally fully accepting Catholic teaching, Jesus Christ as God, that there is even a God…I’m trying to be pious and moral and I want to believe in God and follow His commandments. I know that’s how I feel now.

Can anyone help with this? I am so desperate for an answer. Thank you so much.

Be at peace. Go to confession. Sin no more and continue your journey of obtaining what the Church teaches. God bless.

 

[Scoobyshme]

Even Ajax cannot remove your Baptism. It is permanent, forever.

What you experienced was nothing short of a demonic attack. Anytime there is a strong effort on the part of the Holy Spirit (in your case, helping you to become Catholic), there is an equally strong effort on the part of the demonic to counter the efforts of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer, fasting, sacrifice, etc., will defeat the demonic in your life!

You might enjoy a talk by the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on this topic:

alabamacatholicresources.com/Downloads/TheDemonicToday.mp3

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

Your baptism is valid. Baptism imparts an indelible mark called the domincus character. It can never be removed, PERIOD. So rest easy. I agree with the other poster, you were subjected to an attack and unfortunately succumbed to the evil one for a while. If you have not confessed, do so immediately, and then be at peace for you will be reconciled to God and to His Church. You will be able to receive the Eucharist again as soon as you have confessed (not sure if you have done that yet). Be advised, the enemy will lob all sorts of temptations at you, including the temptation to just not bother with confession. Confession is so important and we can talk about that if you need. If you were fresh out of RCIA, there may be some things you are unfamiliar with— so just ask, we are here to help.

In terms of spiritual warfare against the enemy, sacramental living is crucial. Go to Church every Sunday (required under pain of sin, unless you have a good reason). If you can go more often, do. Pray daily and try to do at least an hour of prayer in front of the Blessed Sacramental each week if you can. Read the Bible and the Catechism when you can.

Be at peace, you are Catholic— you simply need to be reconciled an go forth and avoid sin. Welcome home!

 

[NHInsider]

No one has said this, perhaps because it’s so obvious, but it bears stating: the Sacraments are efficatious (that is, they “work,” they give grace) not because of anything we do but because of what God does. We can’t earn grace, we can’t force grace - we can only receive grace, or reject it.

So if you received baptism, you received God’s grace. (If you were completely “faking,” with a clear intention to NOT accept God’s gift of grace, then you would not benefit from it - but you could still go to confession and receive the benefits you had rejected - the gift itself would not have been revoked.) This is why we can with confidence baptise newborn babies, or severely mentally disabled children. It’s why we don’t have to KNOW everything before we can be baptised. Baptism is a sacrament of initiation, a beginning - not a sacrament of completion (we never “finish” being conformed to Christ until we see Him face to face in Heaven).

 

[thirdworld]

Thank you all so much!
I love these forums and the helpful people here. You guys are truly doing good work. Thanks so much. I feel much better now.

I am going to Confession today!

 

[Zooey]

I am only the Friendly Neighborhood Methodist, but this answer (below) is so beautiful and true that I decided it needs repeating.
In large letters!!

No one has said this, perhaps because it’s so obvious, but it bears stating: the Sacraments are efficatious (that is, they “work,” they give grace) not because of anything we do but because of what God does. We can’t earn grace, we can’t force grace - we can only receive grace, or reject it.

So if you received baptism, you received God’s grace. (If you were completely “faking,” with a clear intention to NOT accept God’s gift of grace, then you would not benefit from it - but you could still go to confession and receive the benefits you had rejected - the gift itself would not have been revoked.) This is why we can with confidence baptise newborn babies, or severely mentally disabled children. It’s why we don’t have to KNOW everything before we can be baptised. Baptism is a sacrament of initiation, a beginning - not a sacrament of completion (we never “finish” being conformed to Christ until we see Him face to face in Heaven).

God bless all here, especially the OP.

 

[puzzleannie]

if the priest used the proper matter and form, water baptism and the Trinitarian formula, you are validly baptized. Simply go to confession and confess any sins committed since baptism and return to the sacraments. You should have been attending mystagogy classes or meetings since Easter, specifically because more questions do arise after baptism in the new Catholics (neophytes) and yes the enemy does attack at that time. The mystagogy period is for you to reflect on the sacraments you received, the mysteries as they are called, and most important to receive continual support from your sponsor and parish. Please make an appointment to speak with the priest who received you into the Church and discuss your struggles, It is your right to have this help and support.

Welcome Home!