Valid Baptisms

When consideration is given to the sacrament of baptism, it should not be seen as  a mere "rite of passage." Such a view religates the sacrament to something on a check list or as some type of initiation merit badge. 

Rather the sacrment of Baptism is the opening opportunity to begin a relationship the God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This makes it very important. In addition the sacrament of batism affords supernatural grace when properly conferred, therefore it should never be considered only as an initiation into a club. When properly considered you will find the sacrament was commanded by Jesus Christ Himself. It is one of the things He did and asked His Church to continue to do. Therefore there is a right way(valid) and a wrong way (invalid) to baptize.

A baptism is sacramentally valid when:

• Water must be used, Either through Immersion or pouring.[1]

• The Trinitarian Formula[2] must be used; "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."[3]

• The minister must intend to baptize[4].

• It must be the stated wish and desire for the recipient to be baptized.[5]

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[1]  Canon 854 Baptism is to be conferred either by immersion or by pouring; the prescripts of the conference of bishops are to be observed 

[2] Canon 850 Baptism is administered according to the order prescribed in the approved liturgical books 

[3] Matthew 28:18-20 18 Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  19  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,[3a]

 20  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

[3a] Matt [28:19] Go Therefore: since universal power belongs to the risen Jesus (Mt 28:18), he gives the eleven a mission that is universal. They are to make disciples of all nations. While “all nations” is understood by some scholars as referring only to all Gentiles, it is probable that it included the Jews as well. Baptizing them: baptism is the means of entrance into the community of the risen one, the Church. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: this is perhaps the clearest expression in the New Testament of Trinitarian belief. It may have been the baptismal formula of Matthew’s church, but primarily it designates the effect of baptism, the union of the one baptized with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

[4] Canon 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone 

[5] Canon. 865 §1. For an adult to be baptized, the person must have manifested the intention to receive baptism,  

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