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Basic
Catholic Q and A's
The numbers in parenthese that
follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism
of the Catholic Church.
Baptism
1. Do converts have to
be baptized again?
2. Who may administer the sacrament of Baptism?
3. In an emergency, does the person who baptizes have
to be a Catholic?
4. How is emergency Baptism given?
5. Is Baptism that is administered by a lay person
as valid as that administered by the priest?
6. What is the baptismal robe?
7. What is baptismal water?
8. What does the candle represent?
9. What is a baptistry?
10. What is chrism?
11. What are the baptismal promises?
12. What is a godparent?
13. What is the role of godparents?
14. Should an adult be baptized without a godparent?
15. What does the Church require of a godparent?
16. May a non-Catholic act as a godparent?
17. What does a godparent do at the Baptism?
18. What is a Christian name?
19. What does the word "christening" mean?
20. What virtues do we receive at Baptism?
1. Do converts have to be baptized
again?
Christian converts to the Catholic faith do not have to be baptized
again if their first Baptism was valid, that is, given with the use
of water (made to flow on the skin), together with the formula of
Baptism, performed with the intention of doing what the Church does.
2. Who may administer the sacrament
of Baptism?
The bishop, priest or deacon is the usual minister of Baptism,
but when a person is in danger of death anyone may and sometimes should
baptize. No one, however, may baptize him or herself. (1256)
3. In an emergency, does the
person who baptizes have to be a Catholic?
In an emergency, the person who baptizes can be anyone-man, woman
or child, Catholic or non-Catholic, atheist or unbeliever-as long
as he or she administers the sacrament properly and does it with the
intention of "doing what the Church does." (1256, 1284)
4. How is emergency Baptism given?
Emergency Baptism is given by pouring ordinary water three times
on the forehead of the person to be baptized, saying while pouring
it: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit." The words must be said at the same time
the water is poured. (1284)
5. Is Baptism that is administered
by a lay person as valid as that administered by the priest?
Yes. When properly given, Baptism administered
by a lay person is as valid as Baptism given by a priest. (1256)
6. What is the baptismal robe?
The baptismal robe is the white garment given to the newly baptized
as a symbol of grace and innocence. (1243)
For all of you
who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ
(Gal 3:27).
7. What is baptismal water?
Baptismal water is water previously blessed for use in Baptism,
but in case of emergency, any water may be used. (1238)
8. What does the candle represent?
The candle represents Christ who has enlightened the newly baptized.
Through Christians Christ is the light of the world. (1243)
You are the light
of the world. A city cannot be hidden, if it is set atop a mountain
(Mt 5:14).
9. What is a baptistry?
A baptistry is the part of the Church (or a separate building)
in which Baptism takes place. It contains the baptismal font, the
place where one is baptized.
10. What is chrism?
Chrism is a blessed mixture of oil and some aromatic substance
used during the baptismal ceremony, in Confirmation, during the ordination
of bi
11. What are the baptismal promises?
The baptismal promises are a renewal of our baptismal commitment.
We promise to renounce the devil, his allurements or temptations,
and to live according to the teachings of Christ and his Church. These
promises are renewed each year at the Easter Vigil. (1237, 1254)
But thanks be
to God, for you who were once slaves to sin have become obedient from
the heart to the pattern of teaching which was handed down to you-you
have been set free from sin and have become slaves of righteousness
(Rom 6:17-18).32. What is a godparent?
12. What is a godparent?
A godparent serves as a representative of the community of faith.
At an ordinary Baptism there must be at least one. (1255)
13. What is the role of godparents?
Godparents are to help and support the parents in giving the child
an adequate formation in faith. Godparents should themselves be good
Catholics. (1255)
14. Should an adult be baptized
without a godparent?
An adult should not be baptized without a godparent, for the godparent
helps the person to prepare well for Baptism and afterward aids him
or her to persevere in the faith and Christian life. This is a very
ancient custom in the Catholic Church. (1255)
15. What does the Church require
of a godparent?
The Church requires that a godparent be mature enough to take
on the responsibility; that he or she be a member of the Catholic
Church, and have already received Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
16. May a non-Catholic act as
a godparent?
If the non-Catholic is a baptized and believing Christian, he
or she may act as a Christian witness, if this is requested by the
parents. However, a Catholic godparent should also be present. (The
norms for various ecumenical cases should be followed.) (1255)
17. What does a godparent do
at the Baptism?
A godparent testifies to the faith of the one to be baptized,
or in the case of an infant, he or she professes the faith of the
Church together with the child's parents. (1253)
18. What is a Christian name?
A Christian name is the name received at Baptism. A saint's name
is given so that the new Christian will have a patron in heaven to
imitate and ask for help. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
"The name is the icon of the person. It demands respect as a
sign of the dignity of the one who bears it." (2156-2159)
To whoever is victorious I will give...a white
stone with a new name written on it, which no one will know except
the one who receives it (Rev 2:17).
19. What does the word "christening"
mean?
"Christening" is another name for Baptism. It means
"to make like Christ."
20. What virtues do we receive
at Baptism?
At Baptism we receive the theological virtues and cardinal virtues.
(1266)
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