Does a catholic baptism?

Question

have to have the water poured on the head? Is that mandatory.
I know of someone who had a baby baptized last week and it was dunked up to its chest. Just wondering if this is a valid baptism?

Answer 1

Yes, the water should be poured on the head. From the Catholic Encyclopedia:
Baptism
VI. Matter and Form of the Sacrament
(1) Matter
(b) Proximate matter:
By the present authorized ritual of the Latin Church, baptism must be performed by a laving of the head of the candidate. Moralists, however, state that in case of necessity, the baptism would probably be valid if the water were applied to any other principal part of the body, as the breast or shoulder. In this case, however, conditional baptism would have to be administered if the person survived (St. Alph., no. 107). In like manner they consider as probably valid the baptism of an infant in its mother's womb, provided the water, by means of an instrument, would actually flow upon the child. Such baptism is, however, later to be repeated conditionally, if the child survives its birth (Lehmkuhl, n. 61). It is to be noted that it is not sufficient for the water to merely touch the candidate; it must also flow, otherwise there would seem to be no real ablution. At best, such a baptism would be considered doubtful. If the water touches only the hair, the sacrament has probably been validly conferred, though in practice the safer course must be followed.

Answer 2

I'm pretty sure that a certain amount of water IS, indeed mandatory in a Christian baptism. Just how MUCH water is kind of determined by the parent's religious preference. Catholics tend to use very little water compared to, say the Baptist. But, then again, if I know my theology right, I believe that Baptist, and many other Protestants do not get baptized as infants, rather they wait until they are old enough to make the decision for themselves to be baptized or not. (Similar to Catholic's confirmation.)
All baptisms are "valid" if they are performed in the name of God, but I'd question anyone who would "Dunk a baby up to it's chest"

Answer 3

Yes, this is a valid Catholic Baptism.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: Baptism is performed in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water. However, from ancient times it has also been able to be conferred by pouring the water three times over the candidate's head.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

I think each type of Christian religion have differences in how they do things, including baptism. The water is a symbol of washing away sin, so I believe that it is valid weather you get sprinkled with the water or do the back stroke in the water. What is important is the meaning behind the event.

Answer 5

Well, they used to baptize people in the river at Easter, but the river was high (seems to happen every spring), and they lost half their congregation. You should have heard the weepin and the wailin!

As for baby baptism, Jesus was presented in the temple to Simon and Anna when he was newborn. We take that example. And he wasn't the first to have that done. Lots of Isrealites dedicate their first born son to God. It's even more heavy duty than a simple baptism. I wish people would quit spazing about it.

Answer 6

no, usually the priest pours a bit of holy water on the head, some older ones prefe to dunk but that is not neccessary, although i've never witnessed an adult baptism

Answer 7

Just being in the water does the trick....sprinkling or otherwise. No one knows for sure the exact method John used to baptize Jesus.

EDIT: Baptists do the complete dunk. It symbolizes your present self being buried in water, and when you stand back up you are reborn and cleased.

Answer 8

catholics used to pour water on just your head no matter how old your were, but now some priests do put the naked baby in the baptismal font. and some churches now have small pools and immerse older people and babies. i think it depends on the church and the priest.

Answer 9

It's not the water that counts. It's the symbolism of cleansing ourselves. Whatever i did yesterday thaT I LOOK BACK ON AND SEE HOW STUPID I WAS , i HAVE A SHOWER AND LET THE WATER RUN OVER ME, WASHING ALL THAT GUILT AND EMBARRASSEMNT DOWN THE DRAIN, BUT LIKE I SAID, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WATER. iT'S PURELY SYMBOLIC.-tAKE CARE. -t

Answer 10

Sassy Smart 2000, nowhere in the bible is Jack Chick's name mentioned either.