Why Does the Catholic Church Baptize Babies? Part 3 of 3

Part I; Part II

3) Why do Catholics baptize infants?

To answer this question, it is essential to look at Parts I & II (especially 2). In those, we discussed how baptism brings us into the family of G-d, how it has a salvific aspect, and how baptism opens the door to the other sacraments. What do these mean to Catholic parents? Why would they baptize their babies? How hard should a Catholic parent push to have their child baptized if their spouse wants to wait?

Solemnity of the Annunciation... and Meat!

Yup, this Friday (tomorrow) is the Solemnity of the Annunciation, and according to Canon Law 1251 "abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday" (emphasis added).

With this in mind, I still encourage you to remember that it is Lent. So, for example, maybe you could pray a little longer, or watch a little less T.V. Or eating it if it's available, but not seeking it out. You don't have to follow my advice, though, so gourge yourself if you wish.

Why Does the Catholic Church Baptize Babies? Part 2 of 3

In a previous post I dealt with the issue of where in Scripture Catholics get the idea that babies can be baptized. In that post, I singled out two other questions that were implicit in the reader's question. This post deals with the second of the three questions:

2) What does baptism do for someone that would make one baptize babies?

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: 'Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word'" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213).

Solemnity of Saint Joseph

This Feast should take a special place in our hearts. Not only is St. Joseph the patron of the Universal Church, but he is also the baptismal namesake of our Pope, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Both need our prayers now more than ever. We should offer up our prayers today for Pope Benedict XVI and his intentions as a gift. The easiest place to start is a prayer to St. Joseph. Go ahead, you're already reading this post. Go ahead and pray for His Holiness:

Saint Joseph, patron of the universal Church, watch over the Church as carefully as you watched over Jesus, help protect it and guide it as you did with your adopted son. Amen.

Or this prayer:
Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.

Feast of Saint Patrick, Bishop

I'm taking a brief pause from the discussion on baptism to commemorate St. Patrick! I'm actually not going to say anything, but instead am going to post two prayers, one from the Divine Office and the other from St. Patrick himself.

Why Does the Catholic Church Baptize Babies? Part 1 of 3

A reader writes:

"I really like your website. I'm not a Roman Catholic, but I don't hate Roman Catholics.This has been bothering me: why do Roman Catholics baptize babies? The Bible only talks about adult baptism, and babies can't make the decision to be born again anyway."

The Lenten Pillars

In traditional Catholicism (and Orthodoxy), there are three pillars of Lent- prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. All three are key to take full advantage of the season of Lent (called Quadragesima in Latin, or "40 Days"). Prayer is a positive, something that benefits us as it's something that we actively do. We take on prayer, and we grow closer to G-d. Fasting benefits us by having us give something up (specifically food, but at the same time could be understood as giving up anything). We take things out of our lives that disctract us, helping us to focus more on G-d. Fasting should not be understood in terms of giving up a sin (we should do this anyway!). Almsgiving can be understood as both a positive and a negative action. We are giving money, but it a communal act. Prayer and fasting are generally personal actions; almsgiving involves at least two people. It takes from us and gives to others. It allows us to spiritually benefit ourselves, and spiritually (and physically) benefit others!

"What if We Just Said, Wait?" Yeah... Let's Not.

What if I went into my Latin class and translated my homework into the "common language of the people"? What if I translated a singular verb, like I walk, into a plural verb, like we walk? Is my aim to be as literal as possible (while still understandable), or to translate into the common "tongue"?

Every language teacher, and most people, will tell you the former. Father Michael Ryan will tell you the latter. Father Ryan created the website, "What If We Just Said Wait", a website dedicated to delaying (or possibly stopping) the new translation of the Missale Romanum. Well, Father Ryan has finally thrown in the towel.

Cardinal Mahony Out, Archbishop Gomez In.

Okay, well that's not technically correct. Archbishop Jose H. Gomez was coadjutor ("co-assister" in Latin) of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, so he was already 'in'. Still, Cardinal Mahony is no longer in charge of the Archdiocese, and Archbishop Gomez has taken the helm. As of today, Pope Benedict XVI has "accepted the resignation from the archdiocese of Los Angeles, U.S.A., presented by Cardinal Roger M. Mahoney, upon having reached the age limit. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Archbishop Jose H. Gomez."