The Sacrament of Baptism

What is the Sacrament of Baptism?

Baptism is the first sacrament we may receive. It is the sacrament that gives our soul the new life of sanctifying grace. By Baptism, we become the children of God and heirs of heaven. It is forbidden to receive any sacraments unless we are baptized.
When our Lord Jesus Christ institute the Sacrament of Baptism?
He has instituted this sacrament at His own Baptism (Matthew 3:13-17), and He also commanded His Apostles to baptize at His Ascencion (Matthew 28:19) (Acts 2:38)

Who can administer Baptism?

The Priest is the only person who can administer Baptism. But there’s a special case where anyone can administer baptism when someone will die without baptism. This person can be a man, woman, catholic, non-catholic, pagan or atheist. As long as this person follows the right procedure by pouring water on the head, face or body of the person being baptized and at the same time, pronouncing the words “I Baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” And when the person you baptized as been saved from the dead, you can tell the parish priest in your area that this person has already been baptised.

What are the effects of Baptism?

1. The baptized person will have a character imprinted on the soul and become members of the Church and the children of God.
2. He or she will be subject to the Church’s Law and capable to receive the other sacraments.
3. In Baptism, we are given the right to enter heaven and gain merits by our Good Works.
What age need to be Baptized?
Any age can be baptized. But in the law of the Church, children should be baptized as soon as possible. While the protestants only allowed age around teens to adults.
When we baptized, can we enter heaven anytime?
Yes, but while in the state of Grace. Some people, including some protestants misunderstood that when you baptized, you can enter anytime even if you have done a venial and mortal sin. No one can enter Heaven who are not clean or who had stained of sins.

Are the are other types of Baptism?

Yes, there are two. The Baptism of Blood and the Baptism of Desire.

1. Baptism of Blood – When an unbaptized person suffers martyrdom for his or her faith in our Lord Jesus Christ will be baptized by Blood. (Matt. 10:39). One of the examples of Baptism of Blood are the Holy Innocents that Herod slew out of hatred for the infant Jesus. Another example is during the Christian Persecution under Emperor Diocletian, where his wife, Empress St. Alexandra face martyrdom together with St. George. She asked St. George if she is worthy of paradise because she was not baptized. He told her: “Do not fear, for your blood will baptize you”.
2. Baptism of Desire – When an unbaptized person loves God above all things and desires to all necessary for his salvation, but unable to receive baptism because there’s no priest who can administer it can be baptized by his or her desire.

Source: http://www.sspxridgefield.com/sacraments