22 July 2020

The Douai Catechism, 1649 - CHAPTER XI. Baptism Expounded.

Baptism Expounded.
    
Q. WHY is Baptism the first Sacrament?
    A. Because by it we are born again, or created anew in Christ Jesus, and therefore before it we are not capable of receiving any other.
    
Q. What is Baptism?
    A. It is an exterior washing of the body, under a set form of words.
    
Q. What is the necessary matter of Baptism?
    A. Natural water only; for artificial water will not suffice.
    
Q. What is the form of it?
    A. I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
    
Q. What if a man leave out the word, (I baptize) or any of the three persons?
    A. Then the baptism is invalid.
    
Q. Where did Christ express the form of baptism and give a command to baptize?
    A. In Matt. xxvii. 29. "Go therefore, (saith he) teach ye all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
    
Q. Can a man be saved without baptism?
    A. 
He cannot, unless he have it either actual or in desire, with contrition, or to be baptized in his blood as the holy Innocents were, which suffered for Christ.
    
Q. How prove you that?
    A. Out of John iii. 5. "Unless a man be born again of water, and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
    
Q. Can no man but a priest baptize?
    A. Yes, in case of necessity, any layman or woman may do it, and not otherwise.
    
Q. What is a chief necessity?
    A. When a child is in danger of death, and a priest cannot be had.
    
Q. What are the effects of baptism?
    A. It makes us the children of God, and remits both original and actual sin, if he that is baptized be guilty of it.
    Secondly, it infuseth justifying grace into the soul, with habits of faith, hope, and charity, and all supernatural gifts and virtues.
    
Q. How prove you that?
    A. Out of Gal. iii. 27. "As many of you as are baptized in Christ, have put on Christ."
    Secondly, out of 1 Cor. vi. 10,11 where speaking of fornicators, idolators, thieves, adulterers, and liars "These things, (saith St. Paul) ye were, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the spirit of God."
    Thirdly, out of Tit. v. 6, 7. "He hath saved us by the laver of regeneration and renovation of the Holy Ghost, whom he hath abundantly poured out upon us, by Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified by his grace we may be heirs, according to the hope of life everlasting."
    
Q. What other effect hath baptism?
    A. It makes a spiritual mark or character in the soul, which shall remain for ever, either to our great joy in heaven, or our confusion in hell.
    
Q. What sin is it to baptize a man twice?
    A. A mortal sin of sacrilege.
    
Q. How prove you that?
    A. Out of Heb. vi. 4, 5, 6. "It is impossible for those that have been illuminated, and made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (to wit, by baptism) and are fallen, &c. to be renewed again unto penance," &c. viz. by a second baptism.
    
Q. What if a man die for the faith, before he can be baptized?
    A. He is a true martyr, and baptized in his own blood.
    
Q. Why have we a Godfather and a Godmother in baptism?
    A. That if our parents should neglect it, or be prevented by death, they may instruct us in the faith of Christ, which obligation lies on them.
    
Q. How many godfathers may we have?
    A. But one godfather and one godmother, since the council of Trent.
    
Q. Why so few?
    A. To prevent the too great spread of spiritual affinity, which is contracted between them and their godchild, and his father and mother, which is an impediment, that makes the marriage not only unlawful, but also invalid between the parties.
    
Q. How can infants be christened, which have no actual faith?
    A. In the faith of the Church, and of their godfathers and godmothers.
    
Q. Who do we use so many ceremonies in baptism?
    A. To stir up reverence to the sacrament, and signify its inward effects.
    
Q. What meaneth the priest's breathing on the child's face, according to the use of some rituals?
    A. It signifies, that by baptism, the evil spirit is cast out, and the spirit of God is given him.
    
Q. Why is the child signed on the breast and forehead with the sign of the Cross?
    A. To signify that he is there made the servant of Christ crucified.
    
Q. Why is salt put into the child's mouth?
    A. To signify, that by baptism he receives grace and gifts to preserve his soul from corruption of sin: and to warn Christians, that their actions and words ought to be seasoned with prudence and discretion signified by salt.
    
Q. Why doth the priest lay spittle on his ears and nostrils?
    A. Because Christ by so doing, healed one that was both deaf and dumb; as also to signify, that by baptism his ears are opened to the word of faith, and his nostrils to the good odour of all Christian virtues.
    
Q. Why doth the priest ask the child, "If he renounce the Devil, and his pomps?"
    A. To signify, that he who will be the child of God, cannot be the child of the Devil.
    
Q. What means the several anointing of the child?
    A. They signify the interior anointings, or unction of divine grace, given to the soul in baptism.
    
Q. What mean they in particular?
    A. He anointed on the head to signify, "that by baptism he is made partaker of the kingly dignity of Christ;" on the shoulders to signify, "he must bear his Cross courageously," on the breast, to signify, "that the heart is there strengthened with grace, to fight against the Devil."
    
Q. What signifies the white garment given to the child?
    A. The purity and innocence which he there receives.
    
Q. What signifies the hallowed light given to the child?
    A. The light of faith, and fire of charity with which his soul is endued by baptism; and that he is bound to hold up through life the lamp of good works, always burning, always shining before men, that they may glorify our Father who is in Heaven.

Next - The Douai Catechism, 1649 - CHAPTER XI. Confirmation Expounded.

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