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Is our child baptized?
Question from Francis on 9/9/2009:

We recently had our daughter baptised. At least we think we did. After the pouring of water on the baby's head, placing the white vestment, and lighting the candle, the priest returned to the altar to continue the celebration of mass. Before doing so, he announced that he forgot to apply the oil of chrism and the oil of baptism. He then proceeded to do so for each child. Is the baptism valid? Thanks for your help.

Answer by Colin B. Donovan, STL on 9/10/2009:

Yes, these are rites associated with baptism, but the essential elements of the sacrament are the pouring of water and the Trinitarian formula. This is why in danger of death anyone can baptize who has water, knows the baptismal formula, and intends what the Church intends through baptism. If the person survives they should be brought to a priest who then completes the other rites associated with baptism, but they are already baptized from the moment the emergency baptism was performed.

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