In Portuguese

The Church desires, or rather commands, that its minister teach some necessary rules to persons who wish to contract marriage. Here they are:

I. The principal ends of marriage are: 1. the generation of children; 2. mutual assistance between husband and wife.

II. With the primary end of marriage in view, it must be noted that there are actions that are lawful for married persons, while others are unlawful.

1. What are the lawful actions for married persons? 1. The so-called use of marriage is lawful, which consists in the union of bodies. Let it be noted that for this act the woman must remain beneath the husband, lying on her back; without there being a motive, such a position cannot be changed. 2. Everything that is necessary or useful for the use of marriage is lawful, as for example touching each other mutually.

2. What are the unlawful actions for married persons? 1. Under grave sin everything that can impede generation is forbidden to them. Therefore, if someone gives them the counsel to limit the number of children, they cannot give ear to such counsel. Let them have confidence in divine Providence, which, by giving them children, also gives them the means to educate them. 2. It is forbidden to them to excite grave sensual commotions among themselves, outside the case in which they wish and are able to perform the conjugal act.

III. The conjugal act is not only permitted, but even obligatory, if one of the spouses asks it seriously. Therefore, unless there is a grave motive, as for example in case of sickness, this request cannot be rejected.

IV. When the Lord deigns to bless their marriage, let the wife prudently avoid everything that can cause harm to the conceived fetus, such as heavy works, carrying things that are too heavy, strong movements of body or spirit, for example much riding of a bicycle, becoming excessively angry or saddened, etc. Let the husband also take into consideration the state of the woman, especially taking care that she not be excessively afflicted. Finally, during the time of pregnancy let both ask God that the child be born alive and be able to be baptized.

V. Finally, as to the Baptism of the child, let the following be observed:

1. Must the child always be baptized? Always; even in the case of miscarriage, that is, when the fetus or child is expelled from the womb before the time; even if it does not yet have human form, nor gives a sign of life; even if the fetus is wrapped in the membranes, even then it must be baptized.

2. Who must baptize the child?

a) Ordinarily, when healthy, the child must be baptized in the church by a priest.

b) If it is in danger of life, any person present can baptize it. The father and mother of the child will not be able to baptize it except in the last case. This happens when there is no other person present, or when none of those present knows well the manner of baptizing, or when, except for the father or mother, there is no one who can do it decently. In case of necessity, the father or mother must baptize their own child. In case of miscarriage, Baptism will have to be administered most often by the parents themselves.

3. How must such a child be baptized?

a) If the child can be baptized on the head, let the ordinary manner be observed; that is, let the head be cleaned in such a way that there is certainty that the water touches it. Then let common water be taken - warm, if possible; it is not necessary that it be blessed - let the water be poured over the head of the child, saying at the same time: I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (N.B. The same person who pours the water must pronounce the words.)

But if it is not possible to baptize the child immediately on the head, it must be baptized on any other member, however small it may be, even on a finger of the hand or of the foot; but the more important member must always be chosen.

If, however, another more important member comes to light, such as the hand or the foot, the child must be rebaptized on the hand or on the foot. Baptism must be repeated as many times as a more important member appears (as for example the breast, or the back, or the shoulders), until the child can be baptized on the head; for only then, when Baptism has been administered on the clean head, will there be certainty of its validity.

But if the child can be baptized on the head immediately after having been baptized on a finger of the hand or of the foot, the other members must be omitted and it must be baptized immediately on the head. Whenever it is impossible to administer Baptism immediately on the head, the following formula must be used during the ablution of each of the other members: 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 one can baptize on the head after it has been brought forth, it is to be said: If you are not baptized, I baptize you, etc.¹

b) How must one baptize when the fetus still does not have human form, or the embryo is inside the membrane? Great care must be taken, for in such circumstances it most often belongs to the father or mother to administer Baptism, and the eternal salvation of the child can depend on their manner of acting. For an unbaptized child cannot enter heaven. Therefore let much attention be given, so that it may be baptized, and this in the best possible way. Therefore, if after the conjugal act it happens that the woman expels some abortive substance, without it being known what it is, it must not be thrown away without more ado; rather, it must be examined carefully, for it may well be that the fetus is inside it. The fetus is found inside a vesicle full of a whitish liquid.

When the vesicle has been found, it must be placed in a dish or in a cup on the table, near a basin with water. Then let a little water be poured over the vesicle,² saying at the same time: If you can be baptized, I baptize you, etc. Next, let the vesicle be opened with the thumb and index fingers of both hands, keeping it a little inclined inside the water of the basin. When the whitish liquid has drained out, let the fetus be stirred a little inside the water, saying again at the same time: If you can be baptized, I baptize you, etc. Finally, let the fetus be taken out of the water.³

¹ Thus, practically. Theoretically, however, the more perfect manner is this: when one cannot baptize immediately on the head, one says the first time, when baptizing any member: If you can be baptized, I baptize you, etc. The other times: If you are not baptized and can be baptized, I baptize you, etc. But if one can finally baptize on the head, one says: If you are not baptized, I, etc. Cf. Roman Ritual, title II, chapter 1, n. 16; canon 746, §§ 2 and 3.

² Cf. p. 119, note 1.

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