The Minister of Baptism

"He (Jesus) manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him." St. John, 2:11.

In the fall of the year 1841 the saintly and zealous Jesuit, Father De Smet, and his companions saw the completion of the first church in the state of Montana, at a place now known as Stevensville. No sooner was the chapel finished than one of the Indians exclaimed: "Why, this is the very place where little Mary said the House of Prayer would be built." Who was little Mary? She was a thirteen-year-old Indian girl who had taken seriously sick. When she fell ill there was no priest near, so she asked one of the Iroquois Indians to baptize her. And he did. In her joy she cried out: "There is no happiness on earth. Happiness is found only above." She lifted her weak, trembling hands, and raised her eyes heaven­ward: "I see the heavens open and God's mother calls me up there." Then she turned to those around her: "Listen to the Blackrobes when they come; they have the true prayer; do all they tell you. They are coming and will build the House of Prayer where I am dying." That is what the Indian meant when he reminded the others: "This is the very place where little Mary said the House of Prayer would be built."

This story brings out the fact that anyone can baptize. Even a pagan can confer this sacrament. How ocean-like is the mercy of God, who wills to have all men saved.

Ordinarily a priest is the minister of Baptism. It is a sacred and official act, and one who by his life and calling is dedicated to sacred things should perform the ceremony. The priest knows exactly what to do and how to do it. Ordinarily, too, the pastor of the one to be baptized has the first right to perform the ceremony. Exceptions are made, but that is the usual procedure. In any case, consult him first. The pastor can delegate his power and right to another, and often does.

In case of necessity anyone can baptize who has the proper intention. The one baptizing need not be a Catholic. Even a Jew or pagan, as in the case of little Mary, can give this sacrament, if he intend~ to do what the Catholic Church wants done. "In case of necessity" means that a person is in danger of death and no priest is available. For a lay person to baptize when a priest could easily be obtained would be a mortal sin.

We must follow a certain order with regard to those who are not priests and who are called upon to baptize. A Catholic should be asked in preference to a non-Catholic, a stranger in preference to relatives. Nevertheless, the one most capable of performing the ceremony should be elected for the honor. It might happen, for example, that a non-Catholic doctor is attending a dying baby. Everyone about the sick room is a Catholic, but no one is certain and secure about the ceremony. The doctor does (or should) know how. Let him perform the ceremony.

It is absolutely necessary that the one who baptizes has the intention of doing what the Church wants done. That is what Christ wants done. It stands to reason that if Christ made Baptism necessary for salvation and the sight of God, Christ also laid down the requirements. These require­ments the Catholic Church has always observed.

The one baptizing must know how. No vague, uncertain knowledge will do. Some, like doctors, nurses, mid-wives and parents, have the grave duty of knowing exactly what to do and say. The essentials are the pouring of the water and the saying of the words.

Suppose you are called upon to baptize in a case of necessity. Secure some clean, pure water. However, any kind of water will do. Pour the water over the top of the head, or on the forehead, and while pouring the water repeat these words: "John (the person's name), I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The important point is to pour the water and say the words at the same time. Don't be nervous or worried. You need not make the sign of the cross with the hand pouring the water. The water simply must flow over the skin to represent true exterior washing.

It would be a good idea for those of you who might expect to be called upon to baptize to practice this sometime. Pour the water and say the words at the same time. However, do not practice on a person.

As soon as possible inform the priest of this baptism which you per­formed. Should the baptized person recover, the other ceremonies are supplied in Church. However, the priest does not repeat the actual pouring of water and saying of the words. You have already performed that essential action. And it counts.

Parents should know how to baptize. God forbid, but should there be a miscarriage, and no priest or other person is immediately available, the father or mother should perform the ceremony at once. There is a soul to save. Don't permit the excitement of the occasion to turn your mind from the essential action: Pour the water and say the words at one and the same time.

Baptism works a wonder greater than the one performed in Sunday's Gospel. Jesus changed water into wine; in that wonderful change He showed His glory. We might say that in Baptism the one baptizing works by means of water wonders of grace in the soul of the one baptized. Here, too, Christ's glory is shown. His mercy and goodness are without limit. He wants all to be saved. From little Mary of our story, who was baptized by a pagan, to the last helpless infant, God wants all to be saved. May His mercy be praised. Amen.
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Adapted from Talks on the Sacraments
by Fr. Arthur Tonne,OFM (© 1947)