SECTION 3 



BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION 



I. Baptism. — Since the coming of Christ Bap- 

 tism is "the laver of regeneration," 1 in which 

 every man must be washed, either actually (in 

 re), or at least in desire (in voto), in order to be 

 saved. 2 



The necessity of Baptism, therefore, is a 

 necessitas medii; but it is also a necessitas prae- 

 cepti, on account of Christ's command to the 

 Apostles to teach and baptize all nations. 3 



The precept of receiving Baptism obliges all 

 who have the use of reason and are capable of 

 receiving this Sacrament. 4 Nothing can dis- 

 pense from this duty except utter inability. 



a) Baptism being "the Sacrament of faith," 

 is necessary for all men, including the children of 

 Christian parents, and as an indispensable con- 

 dition of membership in the mystic body of 

 Christ imposes certain well-defined duties. 



Parents and their representatives are bound 



lTit. Ill, s. lect. Dogm., Vol. VI, 3rd cd., pp. 



2 John III, S- — Cone. Trident., 181 sqq. 

 Sess. VI, c. 4; Sess. VII, De Bapt., 8 Matth. XXVIII, 19. 



can. 2 sqq. (Denzinger-Bannwart, 4 Cone. Trident., Sess. V, can. 4; 



n. 796, 858 sqq.) — Cfr. Pcsch, Prae- Sess. VI, C. 7 (Denzinger-Bannwart, 



Il8 



