Case XXXVII: The Form of Baptism

Case.—Father Marcellus is perplexed about the validity of a Baptism he administered. Owing to the endings of the different names of the child, each of which ended in a, Marcellus thinks he said: “Baptize”’ instead of Baptizo.

Question.—Must the Baptism be repeated?

Solution.—We note that Marcellus thinks he changed the form of Baptism. That surely does not invalidate the Baptism. Before there can be any question involving a repetition of this necessary Sacrament there must be a more reasonable foundation for the doubt than a mere think so. Theologians are agreed that a mere negative doubt is not sufficient to warrant an iteration of a Sacrament. It is not lawful to repeat a Sacrament even conditionally under the circumstances, for such a doubt is held to be omnino imprudens atque inane and hence the reconference of a Sacrament would make the minister guilty of a mortal sin. But suppose that de facto Marcellus did use the form quoted above, would that invalidate the Baptism? Here again we must answer in the negative. For a form is invalid only when there is a substantial change affecting it. Now a substantial change is had when the words have a sense different from that intended by Christ (cf. Noldin, vol. iii, par. 15), nor is it necessary that they should have ex se the signification intended by Christ, but it suffices that from the manner in which they are uttered hic et nunc they impress that sense on those who hear them (Noldin, ibid.).

As to the form used above it is evident that the supposed modification would not affect it substantially. It is quite clear, too, that the sense of the word as impressed upon those assisting at the Baptism, was no other than the sense which Christ wished to be conveyed by the use of the Baptismal formula. It must be said, then that the Sacrament conferred as indicated by “Marcellus” was validly administered and cannot even conditionally be reiterated. Moreover, we have a decision from Rome declaring the validity of a Baptism given with the form: “Baptizo te in nomine Patria, et Filia, et Spiritu Sancta.” Our only advice, then, would be to exercise greater care in future.