In Latin

The Church desires, or rather commands, that certain things be set forth by her minister for those entering matrimony; this I shall now do. Now:

I. The principal ends of matrimony are: 1. the procreation of offspring; 2. mutual help to be furnished by spouses to each other.

II. With regard to the primary end of matrimony, many things are lawful for spouses, but certain things are unlawful.

1. What things are lawful for you? 1. The use of marriage, as it is called, which is completed by the union of bodies. In this, however, it must be observed that the woman lie underneath and on her back. Without cause let it not be done in another way. 2. All those things are lawful which are necessary or useful for the use of marriage, such as mutual touches of spouses.

2. What things are unlawful for you? 1. Under grave sin there is prohibited such a use of marriage that procreation cannot take place. Hence if someone advises you to restrict the number of offspring, you must reject that advice. Besides, trust in divine Providence, which, having given you offspring, will help you in educating them. 2. It is furthermore unlawful for you to excite vehement commotions in each other, unless you can and will proceed to the use of marriage.

III. The use of marriage is not only lawful but also obligatory if it is seriously asked by either party. Hence do not deny the requested use unless a grave reason, for example illness, is present.

IV. If the Lord has blessed your marriage, let the wife prudently avoid things which can harm the offspring conceived, of which sort are: very grave labor, the carrying of heavy burdens, violent motions either of body or of soul, such as more intense use of a bicycle, vehement anger or sorrow. Let the man also take account of this condition of his wife, then especially taking care that she not be affected by bitter sorrow. Finally, at that time let each of you pray to God that the infant be born alive and be given Baptism.

V. Finally, certain things must be observed concerning the Baptism of an infant:

1. Whether an infant must always be baptized? It must always be baptized, even in a case of abortion, that is, when the fetus or infant comes forth from the uterus before the time; even if it does not yet have a human appearance; even if no sign of life appears in it; even if the fetus is still enclosed in membranes.

2. Who ought to baptize the infant?

a. In ordinary circumstances, when the infant has been born healthy, it must be baptized in church and by a priest.

b. If the infant is in danger of life, it must be baptized by one of those standing by. Father and mother, with regard to the Baptism of their own infant, come in the last place. But if no one else is present, or the one who is present does not know the manner well, or cannot do it decently, then the father or mother ought to baptize their offspring in a case of necessity. In abortion this very often will have to be done by the parents themselves.

3. How ought you to baptize the infant?

a. If you can baptize the infant on the head, baptize in the ordinary manner. That is, cleanse the head in such a way that you can certainly touch it with water. Then take ordinary water - lukewarm, if you have it at hand; blessed water is not necessary - therefore take ordinary water and wash the head with it, pronouncing the words: I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

If the first time you cannot baptize on the head, but you can on another member, then you must baptize on that member, however small it is, for example on a finger of the hand or a toe of the foot, but always on the principal member among those on which you then can.

But if you have the occasion of baptizing again on a more primary member, for example on the hand or foot, then you must baptize again on that member, and do this as often as you can on a worthier member than before, for example on the breast or back or shoulders, until you have baptized on the head; for only then, when you have duly baptized on the cleansed head, is one of the baptisms certainly valid. But if, after you have baptized on a finger of the hand or foot, you can immediately baptize on the head, then omit the other members which I named between these two extremes, and baptize at once on the head.

In cases in which you cannot at once baptize on the head, at each time in washing the member you must use these words: If you can be baptized, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. If finally you baptize after the head has come forth, say: If you are not baptized, I baptize you, etc.¹

b. How is it fitting to baptize if the fetus does not yet have a human appearance, or when the embryo is still enclosed in membranes?

I wish you to attend carefully, for in these circumstances very often the father or mother must baptize, and the eternal salvation of the offspring can then depend on their manner of acting. For an infant not baptized cannot enter heaven; wherefore in this matter every solicitude is needed, so that the little infant may be baptized and, as well as possible, baptized rightly.

Therefore if anything abortive has come forth after the use of marriage, even if it is in the first days and you do not know what it is, you ought not rashly and at once to cast it out; but it must be investigated whether perhaps a fetus, a little infant, is present in it. The fetus is enclosed in a certain little bladder filled with liquid, which liquid is of a whitish color.

After you have found this little bladder, place it on a table or in a basin or dish, and put a basin of water near it. Then first you must pour some water over the little bladder,² meanwhile saying: If you can be baptized, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Then, holding the little bladder somewhat obliquely in the basin of water, open it with the thumb and index finger of each hand, so that the liquid flows out of it. Then again, I say, moving the fetus a little here and there in the water: If you can be baptized, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Afterward you must take the fetus out of the water again.³

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¹ Thus the matter is proposed practically. Theoretically, more perfectly thus: In cases in which you cannot baptize at once on the head, the first time in washing the member you must use these words: If you can be baptized, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; at other times: If you are not baptized and can be baptized, I, etc. If finally, when the head has come forth, you baptize: If you are not baptized, I, etc. (cf. Roman Ritual, tit. II, ch. 1, n. 16; can. 746, §§ 2 and 3).

² Thus practically; theoretically more perfectly thus: Then first you must either pour some water over the little bladder or immerse the little bladder itself in the water of the basin, meanwhile, etc.

³ Cf. Rath, Institutiones de Sacramentis in genere necnon de Baptismo et Confirmatione, n. 419.