Quodlibet 4 - Baptism of Infants

Lent is begining tomorrow. It has always been a special time for those preparing to receive baptism. Br. David Rocks answers the next Quodlibet on the baptism of infants.

Question:

Is the practice of consecrating one's child to God shortly after birth still in use? Does the Church say anything about this today?

Answer:

Baptism is the first of the Sacraments of Initiation, of which there are three: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist. Throughout the centuries, the process of Christian initiation has varied according to circumstances. In the early Church, the initiation process was highly developed. A long period of catechumenate and preparation, marked with various points of liturgical action, culminated in the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation. The Church also practised infant baptism, in which the rite of baptism soon after birth involved an abridged collation of various liturgical rites of initiation in one ceremony. This is the most familiar form of the rite.

The Church teaches us that Baptism is necessary for the salvation of those who have heard the Gospel and have had the opportunity to ask for it. Thus, the salvation of God is not bound by the sacrament. The Church preaches the Gospel to all humanity from the first moments of their lives to the last moments, ‘for we know not the day or the hour’. Thus, the baptism of infants is a necessary thing.

Children are born into fallen human nature, a nature alienated from God by original sin, thus these children also have the need of the new birth of baptism in order that they might be freed from the power of darkness, and live as free children of God. Salvation is for fallen humanity, and we are all in need of it for eternal life; yet salvation is not to be ‘earned’ in any way. This is why infant baptism makes manifest the sheer gratuitousness of salvation. To deny baptism to a child is to deny it the priceless grace of being a child of God.

Since this baptism takes place before the age of reason, there is a need for catechetical instruction of the baptised after the reception of the sacrament. This is the responsibility of the whole Church, but particularly the child’s parents, who must nurture the child in all things. But the child grows in faith with the help of the baptism it has received.

For children who die before baptism, the Church commends them to the mercy of God, who desires the salvation of all. Because of the tenderness of God for the poor and the little, Christians can hope with confidence that children who die without having received the sacrament of Baptism will also be saved.

See Catechism of the Catholic Church Chapter 1, article 1: §§1213 – 1284