From the United From the United States Catholic Catechism States Catholic Catechism for for Adults,Adults,

Page 187-192Page 187-192

No one can enter the Kingdom of God No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the without being born of water and the

Spirit – John 3:5Spirit – John 3:5

Christ himself had commanded us to preach the Gospel and lead others to baptism - a sharing in the life of God.

Therefore go and make disciples of all Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them innations, baptizing them in the name of the the name of the

Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. – Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. – Matthew 28:19Matthew 28:19

Ordinary Ministers:Ordinary Ministers: Priest, Deacon (Latin Rite), Priest, Deacon (Latin Rite),

BishopBishop

Extraordinary Ministers:Extraordinary Ministers: Baptized or Non-Baptized Baptized or Non-Baptized

PersonPerson

Baptism if administered by using the Trinitarian formula: “(“(Name)Name), I , I baptize you in the name of the baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”, Holy Spirit”, accompanied with the pouring of water.The minister must have the The minister must have the

intention to do what the Church intention to do what the Church does when she baptizes. does when she baptizes.

RCIA/Christian Converts Non-Christian Converts

The Church was redeemed at the price of Christ's The Church was redeemed at the price of Christ's blood. Jew or Greek, it makes no difference; but if blood. Jew or Greek, it makes no difference; but if he has believed, he must circumcise himself from he has believed, he must circumcise himself from his sins [in baptism (Col. 2:11-12)] so that he can his sins [in baptism (Col. 2:11-12)] so that he can

be saved . . . for no one ascends into the be saved . . . for no one ascends into the kingdom of heaven except through the kingdom of heaven except through the

sacrament of baptism.... "Unless a man be born sacrament of baptism.... "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot again of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot

enter the kingdom of God" (enter the kingdom of God" (On AbrahamOn Abraham 2:11:79- 2:11:79-84 [84 [A.D. 387A.D. 387]). – Ambrose ]). – Ambrose

Precatechumenate Catechumenate Rite of Election or Enrollment of Names Purification and Enlightenment Mystagogy

He [Jesus] came to save all through himself – all, I He [Jesus] came to save all through himself – all, I say, who through him are reborn in God; infants, say, who through him are reborn in God; infants, and children, and youths, and old men. and children, and youths, and old men. Therefore he passed through every age, Therefore he passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, sanctifying becoming an infant for infants, sanctifying infants; a child for children, sanctifying those infants; a child for children, sanctifying those who are of that age . . . [so that] he might be the who are of that age . . . [so that] he might be the perfect teacher in all things, perfect not only in perfect teacher in all things, perfect not only in respect to the setting forth of truth, perfect also respect to the setting forth of truth, perfect also in respect to relative age (in respect to relative age (Against HeresiesAgainst Heresies 2:22:4 [2:22:4 [A.D. 189A.D. 189]). (Irenaeus)]). (Irenaeus)

“… The theory of limbo, understood as a state which includes the souls of infants who die subject to original sin and without baptism, and who, therefore, neither merit the beatific vision, nor yet are subjected to any punishment, because they are not guilty of any personal sin. This theory, elaborated by theologians beginning in the Middle Ages, never entered into the dogmatic definitions of the Magisterium, even if that same Magisterium did at times mention the theory in its ordinary teaching up until the Second Vatican Council. It remains therefore a possible theological hypothesis.”

- "The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Being Baptized” (Vol. 36, No. 45, of Origins: CNS Documentary Service, Vatican International Theological Commission)

"God can therefore give the grace of baptism without the sacrament being conferred, and this fact should particularly be recalled when the conferring of baptism would be impossible…” (ibid.)

The role of the sponsor is to assist The role of the sponsor is to assist in the education and faith in the education and faith formation of the one being formation of the one being baptized. baptized.

At every baptism, if At every baptism, if possible, a sponsor possible, a sponsor should be present.should be present.

““God has bound salvation to the sacrament God has bound salvation to the sacrament of baptism, but He Himself is not bound of baptism, but He Himself is not bound

by the sacraments” (CCC, no. 1257)by the sacraments” (CCC, no. 1257)

Baptism of BloodBaptism of BloodThose who suffer and die for Those who suffer and die for

their their faith before receiving Baptism.faith before receiving Baptism.Baptism of DesireBaptism of Desire

Those who desire the sacrament Those who desire the sacrament of of baptism, but who are unable to baptism, but who are unable to

receive receive the sacrament the sacrament before death.before death.