No baptism during Lent - a question

[Jen7]

My baby is due on Ash Wednesday. My church says they don’t do baptisms during Lent. Would it be wrong for me to baptize my baby? I know that’s for “danger of death”… but I know people who have lost babies to SIDS. I don’t like the idea of waiting 40 whole days. Isn’t the SIDS risk every baby faces dangerous enough??

 

[1ke]

Would it be wrong for me to baptize my baby?

Yes.

. I don’t like the idea of waiting 40 whole days.

Talk to your priest about your concerns.

Isn’t the SIDS risk every baby faces dangerous enough??

No.

 

[Vico]

My baby is due on Ash Wednesday. My church says they don’t do baptisms during Lent. Would it be wrong for me to baptize my baby? I know that’s for “danger of death”… but I know people who have lost babies to SIDS. I don’t like the idea of waiting 40 whole days. Isn’t the SIDS risk every baby faces dangerous enough??

CIC Canon Law (Latin Church)

Can. 530 The functions especially entrusted to the parish priest are as follows:
1/ the administration of baptism; …

Can. 860 §1. Apart from a case of necessity, baptism is not to be conferred in private houses, unless the local ordinary has permitted it for a grave cause. §2. Except in a case of necessity or for some other compelling pastoral reason, baptism is not to be celebrated in hospitals unless the diocesan bishop has established otherwise.

Can. 867 §1. Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it. §2. An infant in danger of death is to be baptized without delay.

Can. 868 §1. For an infant to be baptized licitly: 1/ the parents or at least one of them or the person who legitimately takes their place must consent; 2/ there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion; if such hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed according to the prescripts of particular law after the parents have been advised about the reason. §2. An infant of Catholic parents or even of non-Catholic parents is baptized licitly in danger of death even against the will of the parents.

 

[Jen7]

Can. 867 §1. Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks;

But what when my church isn’t permitting this due to Lent?

 

[Fauken]

@edward_george1

 

[Weave]

I don’t get why the liturgical season would prevent the Church from administering a Baptism.

 

[po18guy]

Obeience to the Church is paramount as it is Christ’s mystical Body on earth. I would read up on the baptism of desire.

Baptism of Desire | Catholic Answers Magazine

1281 Those who die for the faith, those who are catechumens, and all those who, without knowing of the Church but acting under the inspiration of grace, seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, can be saved even if they have not been baptized (cf. LG 16).
1283 With respect to children who have died without Baptism, the liturgy of the Church invites us to trust in God’s mercy and to pray for their salvation.

 

[Jen7]

I don’t get why the liturgical season would prevent the Church from administering a Baptism.

I was told baptism is a celebration & we don’t celebrate during Lent (I.e. no weddings, for example). The priest seems to be firm on this. I am extremely uncomfortable!

 

[Bernoulli]

I agree. Traditionally the celebration of marriage has not been allowed during Lent, because marriage has a character of worldly celebration, but other sacraments are still allowed. Catechumens wait for the Easter to be baptized, and the Lent is a season of preparation, but infants are not catechumens.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

In many parishes, baptismal prep is required of parents (and sometimes, godparents) before the baptism can occur. Scheduling and completing this step alone could take 40+ days.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Trust in God and stop worrying.

God’s mercy is beyond our understanding

 

[Phemie]

In many parishes, baptismal prep is required of parents (and sometimes, godparents) before the baptism can occur. Scheduling and completing this step alone could take 40+ days.

Which is why we keep advocating that they do the preparation before the baby comes. Not only does that mean they can have the child baptized sooner but it also makes the logistics of attending the sessions much simpler.

 

[Jen7]

In many parishes, baptismal prep is required of parents (and sometimes, godparents) before the baptism can occur. Scheduling and completing this step alone could take 40+ days.

We already completed the prep. Godparents, too.

 

[Jen7]

Trust in God and stop worrying.

God’s mercy is beyond our understanding

God is not bound by he sacraments but I am. As a mom I feel baptism is the greatest gift I can give my baby. I’m not worried. I’m not afraid. I’m irritated I’m not being allowed to arrange for the removal of my child’s original sin & welcoming into God’s family.

 

[Loud-living-dogma]

In my parish, baptisms are usually on Sunday, after the last Mass. Sundays are technically outside Lent, right? So why not baptize on Sundays during Lent?

 

[po18guy]

Talk to Father and receive a reasonable explanation.

“Pray, Hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful,”

• Saint Padre Pio

 

[Jen7]

Talk to Father and receive a reasonable explanation

Explanation: we don’t celebrate during Lent.

I don’t see baptism as primarily a celebration. It’s an initiation into God’s family and out of slavery to sin.

 

[Jen7]

In my parish, baptisms are usually on Sunday, after the last Mass. Sundays are technically outside Lent, right? So why not baptize on Sundays during Lent?

Niiiiiice! I may bring this up.

 

[Loud-living-dogma]

Can of worms?

Why we can’t have baptisms during Lent – SIMCHA FISHER

 

[Jen7]

Can of worms?

:woman_facepalming:t2:See??:woman_shrugging:t2: