Was My Baptism Legitimate? And what about RCIA?

[Primox]

I was baptized in a lake, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, by a man who had been baptized in a pentecostal church. Was this baptism legit? I’ve considered myself a Christian for two and a half years now but I am still learning about Catholicism (as I’ve gone to a pentecostal and then baptist church). I’ve just recently began attending Mass (while abstaining, obviously, from the sacraments). What is the course of initiation into the Catholic Church for a man in my stance?

Thank you for your consideration

 

[diggerdomer]

I was baptized in a lake, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, by a man who had been baptized in a pentecostal church. Was this baptism legit? I’ve considered myself a Christian for two and a half years now but I am still learning about Catholicism (as I’ve gone to a pentecostal and then baptist church). I’ve just recently began attending Mass (while abstaining, obviously, from the sacraments). What is the course of initiation into the Catholic Church for a man in my stance?

Thank you for your consideration

From what you’ve shared, the presumption is that your baptism is valid. The obvious answer is to talk to someone at the Catholic parish you’ve been attending (pastor, priest, pastoral associate, etc.) to clarify particulars.

Best wishes.

 

[kujayhawk]

Arrange to talk to the priest at the church you are attending, or at another Catholic church. He will explain the process of conversion to you. It’s easy. All Catholics will welcome you into the faith, and we celebrate your interest. You will NEVER be sorry you took the first step which is, as I said, talking to a priest.

 

[peary2]

I was baptized in a lake, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, by a man who had been baptized in a pentecostal church. Was this baptism legit? I’ve considered myself a Christian for two and a half years now but I am still learning about Catholicism (as I’ve gone to a pentecostal and then baptist church). I’ve just recently began attending Mass (while abstaining, obviously, from the sacraments). What is the course of initiation into the Catholic Church for a man in my stance?

Thank you for your consideration

As long as your baptism was done with the Trinitarian formula - “I baptize you with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” - it was legitimate.

Please discuss the matter with a priest in the Catholic church you are attending. He may wish for you to do RCIA and be welcomed into the Church in a formal manner.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I was baptized in a lake, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, by a man who had been baptized in a pentecostal church. Was this baptism legit? I’ve considered myself a Christian for two and a half years now but I am still learning about Catholicism (as I’ve gone to a pentecostal and then baptist church). I’ve just recently began attending Mass (while abstaining, obviously, from the sacraments). What is the course of initiation into the Catholic Church for a man in my stance?

Thank you for your consideration

It is most likely your Baptism is valid from what you posted. The general course for you would be an RCIA like process of Inquiry, during which your Baptism and any other situations that would affect your reception into the Church are looked into. Then a process of **Catechesis **or learning the Catholic Faith and Practice. With certain liturgical Rites (Welcome) along the way. After several months when it is determined by you, your Sponsor and your Pastor that you are ready. You will celebrate the **Sacrament of Reconciliation. ** Your Pastor will request permission from the Bishop to bring you into Catholic unity thru the Rite of Reception and the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion.

 

[Primox]

Well that sounds great. Thank you, all, for your replies =)

 

[RosaryCrusader]

As long as your baptism was done with the Trinitarian formula - “I baptize you with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” - it was legitimate.

The Trinitarian form is just that - the form only. For the sacrament to be valid it must have the proper form, matter, and intent. The major problem when it comes to protestant baptisms would most likely be intent - to intend to do what the [Catholic] Church does which is to incorporate the soul into the Body of Christ, wash away the effects of original sin (as well as actual sin) etc.

Your pastor may have you conditionally Baptised (you can only receive Baptism once) if he has any doubts as to intent.

God Bless you!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

One other thing I would add is that you need documentation of your baptism. From what you describe it doesn’t sound like a particular church was involved so you probably don’t have a baptismal certificate. What can be done instead is to have letters from witnesses who can attest to what was said and done.

Your pastor or RCIA director will let you know what you need.

 

[SonofMonica]

I’ve just recently began attending Mass (while abstaining, obviously, from the sacraments).

I just wanted write to welcome you into the waters of the Tiber. Some folks are swimming very hard toward the Catholic Church, and some are just kinda floating around, holding a beer and squiring each other with water guns. But either way, glad you’re getting wet with us! Saying a prayer for you today.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

One other thing I would add is that you need documentation of your baptism. From what you describe it doesn’t sound like a particular church was involved so you probably don’t have a baptismal certificate. What can be done instead is to have letters from witnesses who can attest to what was said and done.

Your pastor or RCIA director will let you know what you need.

It sounds like you were old enough at the time of your baptism to be a suitable witness.

 

[Primox]

The Trinitarian form is just that - the form only. For the sacrament to be valid it must have the proper form, matter, and intent. The major problem when it comes to protestant baptisms would most likely be intent - to intend to do what the [Catholic] Church does which is to incorporate the soul into the Body of Christ, wash away the effects of original sin (as well as actual sin) etc.

Your pastor may have you conditionally Baptised (you can only receive Baptism once) if he has any doubts as to intent.

God Bless you!

Thank you.
I don’t have much doubt that that was indeed my intent. Of course, my intent had little or nothing to do with the Catholic Church per se.

One other thing I would add is that you need documentation of your baptism. From what you describe it doesn’t sound like a particular church was involved so you probably don’t have a baptismal certificate. What can be done instead is to have letters from witnesses who can attest to what was said and done.

Your pastor or RCIA director will let you know what you need.

Interesting. You’re right in that I don’t have a certificate. However…

It sounds like you were old enough at the time of your baptism to be a suitable witness.

I was 19 at the time of Baptism.

I just wanted write to welcome you into the waters of the Tiber. Some folks are swimming very hard toward the Catholic Church, and some are just kinda floating around, holding a beer and squiring each other with water guns. But either way, glad you’re getting wet with us! Saying a prayer for you today.

Thank you for the welcome and prayers! my stride toward the Catholic Church has been a dog-paddle so far - there’s much to acclimate to - but I feel over the next half a year I should be just fine doing the breast-stroke.

Another thing I’m somewhat torn about is where to go through with it all. As it is, my girlfriend (though one day, doubtless, my wife) and I are both students living at home. She and I go to her parish on sunday (a 20 minute drive from my house, and I don’t have a consistent mode of transportation). I also attend a parish by my house (a 20 minute walk). I feel the proximity of a church to my home would be advantageous, but I am also unfamiliar with the people there. RCIA classes start up in semptember and I have to make a move. I’m going to be extremely busy in the fall.

 

[RosaryCrusader]

Hi Primox,

The intent I was talking about would actually be the intent of the minister and not the person receiving.

 

[msugeotech]

True, but the diocese will require an affidavit of baptism which requires 2 witnesses to fill out paperwork to attest to the baptism in question. I had to do this as well. It’s not a big deal at all.

It sounds like you were old enough at the time of your baptism to be a suitable witness.

 

[Primox]

Hi Primox,

The intent I was talking about would actually be the intent of the minister and not the person receiving.

Ohhhh, okay - my mistake. I assumed that *would *be the intent of the baptizer (who, just off the record, was not a minister - it was just a friend that attended my church)

True, but the diocese will require an affidavit of baptism which requires 2 witnesses to fill out paperwork to attest to the baptism in question. I had to do this as well. It’s not a big deal at all.

Interesting. Thank you for this.

 

[RosaryCrusader]

Ohhhh, okay - my mistake. I assumed that *would *be the intent of the baptizer (who, just off the record, was not a minister - it was just a friend that attended my church)

Right, and that’s okay - the sacrament of Baptism is so important that the Church allows that anyone can do it - even if he is a non-believer - just as long as he uses the proper matter [water - which must flow], proper form *, and proper intent [intending to do what the Church does] even if they don’t believe it.

God Bless you,*

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hi Primox,

The intent I was talking about would actually be the intent of the minister and not the person receiving.

Remember that it is “manifested intent” in other words what he does and says indicates his intent. Did his actions and words indicate that he intended to Baptize you. If he said something like this before baptizing you: “This water is symbolic of the inner conversion, the washing away of sins that has already taken place.” Then his words clearly indicate that he did not intend to Baptize, as the Catholic Church understands Baptism, but to perform a simple symbolic act.

 

[Primox]

Remember that it is “manifested intent” in other words what he does and says indicates his intent. Did his actions and words indicate that he intended to Baptize you. If he said something like this before baptizing you: “This water is symbolic of the inner conversion, the washing away of sins that has already taken place.” Then his words clearly indicate that he did not intend to Baptize, as the Catholic Church understands Baptism, but to perform a simple symbolic act.

Hmm. Nothing was said other than the Trinitarian formula, now that I think about it.