Part II. On the Manner of Receiving Baptism

With respect to the reception of Baptism, both valid and licit, we refer to those things which we noted in the treatise On the Sacraments in general (n. 39 and following). Nevertheless, it is pleasing to enlarge what was said about licit reception with these things concerning the Baptism of an adult. Therefore in an adult to be baptized there are required:

I. Faith. This is clear from these words of Christ in Mark 16:16: "He who believes and has been baptized will be saved." Now explicit faith is required in those things which certainly or probably must be believed by necessity of means: in those certainly to be believed, because otherwise the sacrament would certainly be received fruitlessly; in those probably to be believed, because it would probably be received fruitlessly (vol. I, n. 488).

II. Instruction, according to these things in canon 752:

1. An adult is not to be baptized unless knowing and willing and well instructed (§ 1).

2. But in danger of death, if he cannot be instructed more diligently in the principal mysteries of faith, it is sufficient, for Baptism to be conferred, that he in some way show that he assents to them and seriously promise that he will observe the commandments of the Christian religion (§ 2).

3. Indeed, if because of impending death or other circumstances instruction cannot be premised, nevertheless Baptism is to be conferred, even if explicit faith is lacking in those things which are only probably to be believed by necessity of means.

4. Finally, if it is doubted whether a dying person has reached the state of discretion, let him be instructed in the better way in which it can be done.¹

¹ Holy Office, 18 July 1892, reply to IV (Nouvelle Revue Theologique, 1897, p. 95).

III. Attrition, and indeed supernatural attrition, concerning mortal sins, if any have been committed by the one to be baptized (canon 752, § 1). Habitual attrition suffices, that is, attrition elicited and not retracted. Attrition cannot be had concerning original sin; nevertheless a certain displeasure about it is required. Contrition and attrition are "sorrow regarding and in some way breaking down the hardness of the will; and therefore they can exist only concerning those sins which come upon us from the hardness of our will; and because original sin has not been introduced by our will, but contracted from the origin of a vitiated nature, therefore concerning it there cannot be contrition, properly speaking, but only displeasure or sorrow" (St. Thomas, Supplement, q. 2, a. 2). The required displeasure is always had in him who supplies the other requisites.

Hope and initial love are also required; but these too are always found in him who enjoys the dispositions explained.

IV. It is fitting that both the priest who is about to baptize adults and the adults themselves, if they are healthy, be fasting. Unless grave and urgent causes stand in the way, a baptized adult should immediately assist at the sacrifice of the Mass and receive Holy Communion (canon 753).¹

Corollary. Confession of sins is not to be imposed on an adult to be baptized absolutely. Nevertheless it is usefully instituted, so that the one to be baptized may be admonished about vices and better disposed for Baptism (St. Thomas, III, q. 68, a. 6). Nor are satisfactory works to be imposed, because Baptism is ordered to removing every debt both of guilt and of punishment.

¹ Roman Ritual, title 2, chapter 3, n. 7.