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Good morning Father Angelo.
I hope this finds you well.
I would like to ask you a question about the sacrament of Baptism. I have recently found out that my father baptised me as I was a newborn, before the proper rite took place.
I was not in immediate danger, it’s just that my father wanted to be sure that I would indeed be baptised, and to avoid that in case of an unforeseen accident I died without this sacrament. He told me he did it without water as he did not know it was necessary. The formula he used was correct though: “I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”.
Obviously baptism cannot be repeated, my father didn’t know this, he was convinced that his baptism would only be valid in the event of misfortune, otherwise the one in church would be valid.
I wanted to know if my father’s ritual should be considered valid (even in the absence of water) and if my family, unconsciously, committed a sacrilege by repeating the rite (I don’t think they explained it to the priest, I don’t know if the baptism occurred sub conditione). I know that my father acted in an attempt to do the best for me, he is a doctor and he has baptized newborns several times.

Although the sacrament should not be treated lightly, I am sure that his only concern is the good of the children he has found himself caring for. I thank you for your patience and assure you of my prayers.
Warm regards,
Stefano

Priest’s answer

Dear Stefano,
1. your father acted in good faith, but the baptism he administered to you, although he uttered the necessary words, is invalid because water is absolutely necessary for baptism.
In fact the word baptize means I immerse.
Now your father telling you: “I immerse you in the name of the Father…” in fact he did not immerse you.

In other words, he did not perform the baptism.

2. Sacraments are essentially sacred signs.

If the sign is not composed, the sacrament is not worshiped.

For baptism, Jesus specifically chose water: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (John 3,5).

3. He did it because it is very suitable to symbolize life (if there is no water there is no life) and also to symbolize the purification that is carried out with this sacrament which eliminates all sin.

4. Furthermore, the water refers to the water that came out of the side of Christ dying on the cross. It is from his heart, from his universal salvific will, that the purifying effects of his passion are applied to each of us.

5. Although the word baptize means I immerse, one can also baptize by limiting oneself to the infusion of water and even to the sprinkling made with water (although the current code of canon law no longer provides for this possibility).
St. Thomas writes: “In the sacrament of Baptism water is put to the use of a washing of the body, whereby to signify the inward washing away of sins. 

Now washing may be done with water not only by immersion, but also by sprinkling or pouring. And, therefore, although it is safer to baptize by immersion, because this is the more ordinary fashion, yet Baptism can be conferred by sprinkling or also by pouring, according to Ezech. 36:25: “I will pour upon you clean water,” as also the Blessed Lawrence is related to have baptized. 

And this especially in cases of urgency: either because there is a great number to be baptized, as was clearly the case in Acts 2 and 4, where we read that on one day three thousand believed, and on another five thousand: or through there being but a small supply of water, or through feebleness of the minister, who cannot hold up the candidate for Baptism; or through feebleness of the candidate, whose life might be endangered by immersion. We must therefore conclude that immersion is not necessary for Baptism.” (Somma teologica, III, 66, 7).

6. Since the gesture performed by your father was not a sacrament, there is no doubt about the validity of the sacrament you received when they took you to church, nor was it necessary to celebrate it sub conditione.

7. Here is what St. Thomas writes about the external rites to be performed: “In the sacrament of Baptism something is done which is essential to the sacrament, and something which belongs to a certain solemnity of the sacrament. 

Essential indeed, to the sacrament are both the form which designates the principal cause of the sacrament; and the minister who is the instrumental cause; and the use of the matter, namely, washing with water, which designates the principal sacramental effect. But all the other things which the Church observes in the baptismal rite, belong rather to a certain solemnity of the sacrament.

And these, indeed, are used in conjunction with the sacrament for three reasons. First, in order to arouse the devotion of the faithful, and their reverence for the sacrament. For if there were nothing done but a mere washing with water, without any solemnity, some might easily think it to be an ordinary washing.

Secondly, for the instruction of the faithful. Because simple and unlettered folk need to be taught by some sensible signs, for instance, pictures and the like. And in this way by means of the sacramental ceremonies they are either instructed, or urged to seek the signification of such like sensible signs. And consequently, since, besides the principal sacramental effect, other things should be known about Baptism, it was fitting that these also should be represented by some outward signs.

Thirdly, because the power of the devil is restrained, by prayers, blessings, and the like, from hindering the sacramental effect.” (Summa theologiae, III, 66, 10).

With the hope that the baptism received continues to ripen many fruits of good for you and for the life of the church, I bless you and remember you in prayer.

Father Angelo