Why Wait ?

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As I go through the process of sharing the Catholic faith with my wife,in hopes of her one day wanting to join The Faith (she grew up in a Non-Denom Bible Church). She has been attending The Mass with me along with our kids and she is now all for having our kids baptized in the Catholic Church. But she did bring up a interesting question. At Mass last week 2 infants were baptized and she wondered why if Catholics believe that being Baptized is necessary for an infant(although we dont know the fate of an unbaptized infant) Why wait 1 or 2 months, why not do it asap like circumsision. Or do most people do it as soon as they get home from the Hospital, either way Why wait ?
 
I think people wait because it is an important event and they like to have the ceremony associated with it. It is my understanding that a person CANNOT be baptised twice, so unless there is reason to believe an infant is in danger of dying, baptism is delayed until it can be shared with the infan’t family and church community.

cheddar
 
Canon Law says:Canon 867 §1 Parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptised within the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the birth, indeed even before it, they are to approach the parish priest to ask for the sacrament for their child, and to be themselves duly prepared for it.

Canon Law also requires that parents and sponsors of infants be suitably instructed prior to the baptism:
Canon 851 The celebration of baptism should be properly prepared. Accordingly:
…
2° the parents of a child who is to be baptised, and those who are to undertake the office of sponsers, are to be suitably instructed on the meaning of this sacrament and the obligations attaching to it. The parish priest is to see to it that either he or others duly prepare the parents, by means of pastoral advice and indeed by prayer together; a number of families might be brought together for this purpose and, where possible, each family visited.
 
I had a sister who only lived one day after being born. I’m glad she didn’t have to wait two or three months to be baptized.

Crazy Internet Junkies Society**
**Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag
 
Usually parents who give birth and the baby is in danger of not making it can call or have the hospital call a priest. That is a usual practice done.
 
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MParedon:
Usually parents who give birth and the baby is in danger of not making it can call or have the hospital call a priest. That is a usual practice done.
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Also, in emergency situations, any person can baptize.
 
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cheddarsox:
I think people wait because it is an important event and they like to have the ceremony associated with it. It is my understanding that a person CANNOT be baptised twice, so unless there is reason to believe an infant is in danger of dying, baptism is delayed until it can be shared with the infan’t family and church community.

cheddar
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Cheddarsox,
This is not true. A person can be baptized twice. I was baptized twice. I had surgery at one month old and had an emergency baptism. Later, I had a formal baptism by the Archbishop of Mobile.
 
First of all, I am glad to see that your wife is supportive of your choice to lead your families faith in the Catholic Church. My wife and I were in your shoes not to long ago. She just recently joined the Fullness and our four children were all baptized Catholic before her. Anyways, we had our children baptized young but not in the first few days. Our reason was that we wanted our families there and my sister and Bro-in-law to be the God Parents. We are a military family and had to save $ and find time to go home for the event. I have heard from Fr. Larry on a CD about Confession that if you know of an aborted child, that the child is in Heaven praying for you. So, I would imagine that if an infant was to go be with the Lord with out being baptized he/she would still go to Heaven. I may be wrong but it sounds right to me. Good luck and I will pray that your wife decides to join the rest of your family in the faith. God Bless!
 
Bry,

One can not be baptized twice. Baptism makes an indelible mark on the soul.

If one is uncertian if he has been baptized the conditional formula, like, If not already baptized, I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, of the Holy Spirit.

When emergency baptisms are done they child should be brought to a priest as soon as possible; there are other blessings that go along with the baptism, like exorcism and anointing with oil, that everybody can not do.

For more detials pick up your local friendly catechism, they have a whole section on it.
 
I’ve recently been trying to find my way back to the church. (been gone since I was a small child)
My husband and I have been having marital problems and I’ve been looking to God to guide me through.
I was baptized in the catholic church as an infant. My husband was raised with no religious background. I would very much like our daughter to attend a church (she is 5 months old) I’m not sure of the fate of our marriage. I would very much like to work things out, however that decision is out of my hands at the moment. My husband and I discussed finding a church to attend in the past. I’m not sure what religion he would be comfortable with. I’m willing to attend a non catholic church as long as my family is at church together. Am I able to go to a different chucch even if I was baptized catholic? Can I attend a different church and still attend the catholic church at the same time?
If we choose the catholic church for our family is it too late for the baby to be baptized? If she is baptized catholic is she forever bound to the catholic church?
as much as I would like to see her in the catholic church, she is also her fathers daughter. I feel I should respect his wishes on her religious upbringing as well as my own.
Please excuse my ignorance on these issues, as I have been away from the church for years. I’m trying to learn.
 
Jmj

Anna’s Mom… my dear woman! I am very sorry to hear that there are some troubles in your marriage, truly. We should all pay close attention to this vocation – at large, it is in trouble! Your pain comes through in your words very strongly. I am sorry.

I highly recommend that you have your daughter baptized immediately… please contact your parish, they will definitely help you. Please, please, please - do not wait.

I can relate to how it feels to be separated from the Church; it can be very confusing… and lonely. How to get back? Is it even worth it to try? Will the Church accept my marriage? Oh man! There are so many questions. I also can relate to you caring about your spouse’s comfort with the Catholic Church. I have heard heartfelt stories about how a person can feel neglected or like an outsider at Mass… especially when they are not Catholic. But, please do not stay away out of fear! Come to Mass! Go tomorrow!
“Am I able to go to a different chucch even if I was baptized catholic? Can I attend a different church and still attend the catholic church at the same time?”
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You are “able” to do whatever you please, we humans have free will here on Earth! You are obligated to attend weekly Mass and on Holy Days of obligation, you are also obligated to raise your children in the Church “to the best of your ability.” I believe you can attend Protestant services… as long as you do not do so in replacement of the Mass. Don’t feel burdened by the word “obligations” – please don’t. Think of it in terms of knowing what is best for your child. You know that you must feed your daughter (and do other things to ensure her safety and growth.) As your child… your daughter is “obligated” to accept the food her give her, the blankets you wrap her in, the many things you provide for her… this is no different than what the Church provides for us. Her requirements, our “obligations” are what we need to survive… anything less, and we will suffer.
“If we choose the catholic church for our family is it too late for the baby to be baptized? If she is baptized catholic is she forever bound to the catholic church?“
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No, it is not too late; you should have her Baptized as soon as possible! And… I’m not sure what the second part of your question means exactly, or how to answer it, but I’ll try. Your daughter, after being baptized, will always be a Catholic and a Christian – as you are and always will be! Even if you have your surname (or last name) legally changed in court because you had a falling out with your parents or something… that will never mean they aren’t still your parents, that they never conceived you. Through the sacrament of Baptism, you literally become a child of God – wishing or pretending you are not, saying “I am not a Catholic OR a Christian!”… will never make it so, you will always be His. The good thing is… you can ALWAYS come home! No matter what!
“as much as I would like to see her in the catholic church, she is also her fathers daughter. I feel I should respect his wishes on her religious upbringing as well as my own.”
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Of course you would like to see her in the Catholic Church! This is the work of the Holy Spirit my sister! You know that this is where you and your family belong, it is your home! Don’t stay away another day… God loves you! “He loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to let you stay that way!” As far as respecting your husband’s wishes goes… would you respect his wishes if he believed you should not prevent your children from hurting themselves? No, you would teach your children what is safe and what is not – and so would your husband. You would try to teach your children things that will make them capable, responsible, and safe as adults. The greatest gift you can help to nurture is Faith! Teach your children about God. Keep Him near your heart and they will benefit from YOUR faith even before they can fully understand and appreciate it themselves.

Please come home. He is waiting for you with open arms. You will ALWAYS be welcome at your home, in the Catholic Church – His Church! Get in contact with your parish as soon as possible… pick up the phone as soon as you are done reading this sentence! I will pray for you and your family, I promise.

May the Lord be with you!

Jason
 
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Bry:
Cheddarsox,
This is not true. A person can be baptized twice. I was baptized twice. I had surgery at one month old and had an emergency baptism. Later, I had a formal baptism by the Archbishop of Mobile.
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You probably had one of two things.

(1) It might have been what is called a “conditional” baptism. These are done when it is not certain that a person has been baptized before or when it is not certain that the baptism was conducted validly. It is by no means a second baptism. The intent of the minister in a conditional baptism is to baptize only if the person is not already baptized. If the subject has already been baptized then it is intended that the conditional baptism will have no effect (and it has none).

(2) I am less familiar with the details of this second option. I have heard that sometimes when a person is baptized in an emergency situation, there will later be a ceremony with all of the other parts of the baptismal right (anointing with oil, etc.) but not the baptism itself.
 
Lately it seems to have become the custom for parents to wait several months to have their babies baptized. When I was growing up, the custom was to baptize them within a few weeks after birth.
 
I believe this is because people now get a little more instruction on the faith and sometimes do not plan their Baptisms ahead of time. They end up going to Church to schedule the Baptism and then find out they have to go to class to understand what it is about, so they end up delaying it for a little bit.
I know when we decided to Baptize our kids, we we coming back to the Church we ended up getting delayed a little bit as we had to make some time to go to class when I had time off from work.

God Bless
Scylla
 
I have to say, shortly after coming back to the Catholic Church, I had my 3rd child. I was not required to take classes. I wish I had been. I delayed the Baptism several months so the Bishop who made a step out in faith and married us, (another long story), could baptize my third child.

I was ignorant of the fact that I should baptize within a few weeks of birth. And no one said otherwise. I now know one person asked if I wanted some information they had, and I blithely said no, we were going next week to be baptized and I wouldn’t have time to read anything in that time period. I think since he knew it was happening next week, there was no immediate need to correct my ignorance.

If God blesses us with a fourth (and/or fifth, 4 year old is praying for twin sisters:eek: ) we will baptize as soon as we are able. Frankly, I am now appalled at how long we waited and would have been incredibly guilty if a tragedy had occurred.
 
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