Baptism

Having considered the Sacraments in general, it is now necessary to say 

something about each one in particular. First, we consider Baptism, of 

which it must be known that the matter of this Sacrament is natural water, 

and it makes no difference whether it is cold or warm. In artificial 

waters, however, such as rose water, one cannot baptize. The form of 

Baptism is: "I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of 

the Holy Ghost." The minister of Baptism ordinarily is the priest, whose 

office it is to baptize. In case of necessity, however, not only a deacon 

but also any lay person, even a pagan or a heretic, can baptize as long as 

he observes the form specified by the Church, and intends to act according 

to the intention of the Church. If a person is baptized by these not in a 

case of necessity, he received the Sacrament and must not again be 

baptized; but the grace of the Sacrament is not received, because such 

persons are not truly deputed to baptize outside of cases of necessity, 

and, hence, they act contrary to the law of the Church regulating reception 

of the Sacraments.