Was this Baptism valid?

[greglani]

I observed an infant baptism during a Sunday Mass. The priest held the naked infant above the baptismal font, then dipped the childs behind into the water three times while saying the proper words. Is it valid to only dip the rear end into the water instead of pouring water over the forehead?

 

[Andyman1517]

Yes, as long as the child was baptized with water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit then it is an official baptism. THe method for which the water is applied (sprinkling, pouring, full submersion etc) has no effect.

 

[jk183]

No! This Baptism was not valid. Water MUST RUN across the head in order for the Baptism to be valid. No matter how small an amount, there must be enough water to RUN across the head.

 

[Christy_Beth]

To put a lighter note on this. The sunday before the Easter Vigil when I came into the church, I was watching Americas Funniest Home Videos. One was of an infant being baptized with the dipping of the rear in the water. It was obviously a boy because when the priest went to hand the child back to his mother, he started peeing. The baby that is. A nice little fountain. And so close to easter!! I thought it was hilarious.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

greglani:

I observed an infant baptism during a Sunday Mass. The priest held the naked infant above the baptismal font, then dipped the childs behind into the water three times while saying the proper words. Is it valid to only dip the rear end into the water instead of pouring water over the forehead?

Yes as long as water flows on any part of the persons body the Baptism would be valid. However much more care should be taken in the symbolism of the actions, since this is not an emergency Baptism or a Baptism under conditions where a persons head is not accessable. It should symbolize a burial with Christ, a total washing away of sin, not just a “bu…” washing.

 

[Brendan]

jk183:

No! This Baptism was not valid. Water MUST RUN across the head in order for the Baptism to be valid. No matter how small an amount, there must be enough water to RUN across the head.

Not True.

Water contacting the body 3 times with the Trinitarian forumula being said is all that is required.

3 drops of water landing on the big toe would do it.

Here is the relavant Canon

Can. 854 Baptism is to be conferred either by immersion or by pouring, in accordance with the provisions of the Episcopal Conference.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Christy Beth:

To put a lighter note on this. The sunday before the Easter Vigil when I came into the church, I was watching Americas Funniest Home Videos. One was of an infant being baptized with the dipping of the rear in the water. It was obviously a boy because when the priest went to hand the child back to his mother, he started peeing. The baby that is. A nice little fountain. And so close to easter!! I thought it was hilarious.

An additional note. If after these Baptisms the priest goes throught out the church and sprinkles the people with the Baptismal water. It is hoped that they filled the bowl used for this after the blessing of the water but before the baby (sometimes dirty diper and all) are submerged. If not you should ask your pastor to consider this. Usualy the water is circulated and filtered. However it takes usually at least an hour for this filtering process to have a full effect.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

CCC 1239

The essential rite of the sacrament follows: Baptism properly speaking. It signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity through configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ. Baptism is performed in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water. However, from ancient times it has also been able to be conferred by pouring the water three times over the candidate’s head.

The authorities I have seen state that immersion means complete immersion - covering the head with water. So in either case water must flow on the head. They have stated that if water does not flow on the head the baptism is at best very doubtful and probably invalid. The candidate should be properly baptized.