necessary for salvation by actual reception or at least by desire
conferred by washing of blessed water & proper form of words
to be conferred without delay in danger of death
The Baptized are
freed from all sin
reborn as children of God & heirs of heaven
configured to Christ by an indelible character
incorporated into the Church
to be given a name that is not offensive to Christian sensibilities
as adults, must intend to be baptized and be catechized
when adults, to receive the Eucharist & Confirmation
The celebration of Baptism
must take place in a church or oratory, not a private house
may take place in a hospital “in danger of death”
may be by immersion or pouring of water
may be on any day but is recommended on Sundays or Easter Vigil
should ordinarily take place in one’s proper parish
The Minister of Baptism
is a bishop, priest, or deacon
may in emergency be anyone person with the proper intention & proper words
must have permission of pastor to baptism outside of his parish
Parents
must care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks after birth
are to be prepared for the baptism properly by the parish
manifest the founded hope that the infant will be raised in the Catholic faith
Sponsors
help the baptized to live a Christian life in keeping with baptism
may be only one male or one female or one of each *
must be Catholic, at least 16 years of age
must have received the Holy Eucharist & Confirmation
must lead a life in harmony with the Catholic faith
if married, must be in a union recognized as valid by the Church
may not be the parent(s) of the one to be baptized
may also serve as the sponsor for the baptized at his/her Confirmation
*A person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may not be a sponsor but may be admitted as a “Christian Witness” along with the Catholic sponsor.
[Sources: Catechism of the Catholic Church & Code of Canon Law]