Article — Vermeersch, Theologia Moralis
Article I: Rites and Ceremonies Commonly to Be Observed
— 1. Of itself, the ceremonies of baptism determine the rite to which one will belong (c. 98).
Yet offspring must be baptized in the rite of the parents. If the parents belong to different rites, the offspring, with special law saved, is to be baptized in the rite of the father. If only one parent was Catholic, he is to be baptized in this one's rite (c. 756).
- The ceremonies are to be taken from an approved ritual, and therefore, in the Latin Church, from the Roman Ritual. And the rites, in grave matter, are to be observed under grave sin.
Notable ceremonies are: in solemn baptism, use of water blessed for this, which seems prescribed under grave sin (c. 757), saliva, salt, breathing, anointing with chrism, and indeed recent chrism if it is at hand, and a sponsor.
When a grave cause impedes all from being used, let at least those be observed which, in the case, can be observed. Those omitted will have to be supplied in the Church when opportunity is given. Nevertheless in baptism which is conferred at home because of imminent danger of death, the ceremonies which precede baptism are omitted; only the ceremonies which follow baptism, if time is present, are observed (c. 759, §1).
- Some ceremonies are prescribed for the baptism of infants, others for the baptism of adults. But because of a grave and reasonable cause, the local Ordinary can now indulge that adults be baptized with the ceremonies of infants, which are shorter and simpler.
The reason can be sought from the aversion of the one to be baptized from longer ceremonies, from other business to which the minister must attend, or from too great a number of those to be baptized. Wherefore an Ordinary of missions who knows his missionaries to be stretched by many cares seems able simply to permit them, in his territory, the use of the ceremonies of infants.
- When an infant baptized by a heretical minister is brought to the Catholic Church, the ceremonies of the baptism of children are to be used, whether baptism under condition must be repeated or not. - But if an adult is converted from heresy, the ceremonies can laudably be supplied but need not be, unless baptism must be repeated under condition; in that case, by common law, with dispensation of the Ordinary saved, the ceremonies of adult baptism are to be used.
Nevertheless it is lawful for the local Ordinary to permit that this conditioned baptism of a converted heretic be done without ceremonies (c. 759, §2).
When baptism is repeated conditionally, the ceremonies which were omitted in the prior baptism must be supplied, with the exception just mentioned saved; but if the prior baptism was conferred solemnly with all ceremonies, the ceremonies in the second can be repeated or omitted.
Observe that the thumb is to be used for applying saliva; but the eucharistic fast is not broken by salt tasted by catechumens. When the hair of the person to be baptized is too thick, some anoint with chrism the upper forehead, or the part of the head near the hairline; others take care that some part on the crown be shaved; others separate the hair, content if a very little chrism touches the head. The Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide, January 14, 1806, disapproved none of these.
"Let pastors take care that a Christian name be imposed on him who is baptized; but if they cannot obtain this, let them add to the name imposed by the parents the name of some saint, and in the book of the baptized let them write down both names" (c. 761).
Both names are to be written down so that the person can always be certainly recognized.
Interrogations to sponsors are to be uttered in the Latin language, but, if there is need, let them be repeated in the vernacular language which the godfathers and godmothers can use in their responses. And while the priest recites in Latin the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Creed, the sponsors will be able to recite the same at the same time in the vernacular tongue.
Except in imminent danger of death, the sacrament is not of itself to be separated from the solemnities. Wherefore as an abuse to be eliminated there has been reproved the custom of certain regions always of washing infants, ondoyer, with essential baptism, so that afterward in the Church the ceremonies alone may be supplied.
Where the abuse has been general, it belongs of itself to the Ordinary to determine beforehand the mode by which it is to be eliminated; but individual priests can accommodate themselves to the instructions of the Ordinary; and of itself it is to be wished that they know how to dissuade from the practice in such a way that they do not contradict the Ordinary.
— Place. 1. Solemn baptism is, under grave precept, of itself to be conferred in a church or in the adjoining baptistery (c. 773). Wherefore, if the parochial church is too distant, but another church or another public oratory is nearer, baptism is to be conferred in this sacred place (c. 775).
But by c. 774, §1, it is now established that, any contrary custom or law being reproved, indeed every contrary privilege revoked, any parochial church whatever is to have a baptismal font, "with the legitimate right already cumulatively acquired by other churches nevertheless saved," or which they will have acquired thereafter from episcopal ordinance.
- Nevertheless in private houses, solemn baptism can be administered to the children or grandchildren "of those who actually hold supreme rulership of peoples or have the right of succeeding to the throne, as often as they have duly requested it"; and, from a just and reasonable cause, in some extraordinary case, also to others, if the local Ordinary has judged it to be conceded (c. 776).
From the very ordinary use of the word, nepos can be taken both for the son of a brother and for the son of one's own son.
It is also manifest that in regions of missions or in places where churches are lacking, solemn baptism can and must be administered outside the church by a competent minister.
— Baptism, whether private or solemn, can be administered on any day.
How quickly? "Let infants be baptized as soon as possible; and let pastors and preachers frequently remind the faithful concerning this grave obligation of theirs" (c. 770).
From the nature of the thing, a delay which brings in danger of dying without baptism is grave; and, with custom and the prescription of positive law attended to, many judge that a delay is grave which, without cause, is protracted beyond a month, or, with cause, beyond two months. Certainly a bishop can command that baptism not be deferred beyond eight days.
R. P. Cappello, op. c., I, n. 19, seems to speak too severely here.
Adults themselves also are of themselves to be baptized as soon as this can be done worthily and conveniently, since baptism is the gate of the Church, and the Church is a necessary society. Yet because of notable temporal harm it will be able prudently to be postponed. And c. 772 itself advises that, "according to the most ancient rite of the Church," the baptism of adults, if it can conveniently be done, especially in metropolitan or cathedral churches, be reserved to be done on the vigil of Easter and of Pentecost.
— Delegation of Faculties. The various faculties which we have recalled as made by law to Ordinaries can prudently be delegated by them to others, from general principles. For they pertain to their ordinary power.