On Adult Baptism
Adult Baptism was the norm at the beginning of the Church. On the day the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles, St. Luke reported that around three thousand were baptized. When whole households were accepting the Faith, children and infants, as members of a household, were being baptized too. As the Church grew, infant baptism became the norm because Christian parents obliged themselves to have their child baptized as soon as possible. In fact, the Code of Canon Law prescribes that infants must be baptized within the first few weeks after birth. In the Philippines, especially in barangays, it has been the custom to wait for the Patronal Feast of the Parish or the Barangay for the mass celebration of infant baptism. And so Adult Baptism was relegated to the background and was reserved to a very few who were not baptized as infants and those unbaptized who desire to receive the Catholic Faith. Still, it is good to know the principles of Adult Baptism.
In the Canons of the Church regarding Adult Baptism, an Adult is one who, no longer an infant, has attained the use of reason. However, with respect to Baptism, one who is not responsible for oneself (non sui compos), is considered an infant. Further, the Law requires that an adult must manifest an intention to receive Baptism, must be instructed properly on the Faith and Christian obligations, and through the stage of the Catechumenate, be examined on her/his suitability to live a Christian life.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) lists down several stages before an Adult is fully initiated to the Catholic Faith. By full initiation, we mean the reception of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. Canon 866 states that “unless there is a grave reason to the contrary, an adult who is Baptized is to be Confirmed immediately after Baptism and to participate in the Eucharistic celebration also by receiving communion”. This is why, although Baptism can be administered any day, it is preferred that Adult Baptism be held during the Easter Vigil.
The first stage in Adult Baptism is when the Candidate expresses intention to receive Baptism. She/He makes inquiries about the Catholic Faith. This stage is called Evangelization or Pre-Catechumenate period where the Candidate receives the Proclamation of the Gospel. When the desire has been made firm, the Candidate is welcomed to the Church and becomes a Catechumen. This is called the Catechumenate stage when the Candidate receives formal instructions on the teachings of the Catholic Faith. When the Season of Lent comes, the Candidate is invited to practice the Discipline of Prayer, Fasting and Good Works. This is the final preparation and is called the period of Purification and Enlightenment. Although the Candidate can not yet receive the Sacrament of Penance, she/he is led to have sorrow for personal sins. When Easter Vigil comes, the Candidate who is now ready, receives the Sacraments of Initiation. After receiving the Sacraments, the Newly Baptized enters into the period of Mystagogy when she/he is led to a deeper faith and understanding on the mysteries of the Catholic Faith especially of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. This is why the Newly Baptized is asked to attend Mass while wearing a white garment on all days of the Octave of Easter especially on the First Sunday after Easter, called “Domingo in Albis” (Sunday in White). Although the stage lasts until Pentecost, this final phase actually begins a life-long journey of growth, nourishment and maturity in the Catholic Faith.
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