Parents and Emergency Baptism
“An infant in danger of death is to be baptized without delay.” Canon Law 867 §2
“In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pours water on the candidate's head while saying: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), no. 1284
“If the head of an infant is exposed (or another part of the body) and there is imminent danger of death, let him be baptized …; later, if he is delivered alive, he should be baptized again under condition.” Code of Canon Law, 1917, para. 589, c. 746
“Care should be taken that every fetus born prematurely, no matter at what stage, be baptized absolutely, if life is certain, but conditionally if life is doubtful.” Code of Canon Law, 1917, para. 590, c. 747
“If the baptism was not administered by the pastor or in his presence, the minister of baptism, whoever it is, must inform the pastor of the parish in which it was administered of the conferral of the baptism, so that he records the baptism ...” Canon Law 878
Unbaptized Babies and the Church
The position throughout Church history - according to theologians, saints, doctors and popes – is that there exists a realm of natural beatitude in which the souls of infants dwell in perfect natural happiness, yet without the beatific vision of God.
This realm is limbus, or “on the edge, border.” In the Limbo of Infants, these innocent, unbaptized souls lack the sanctifying grace to see the Face of God, but are free from personal sin and punishment. These babies are at peace in a blissful, unbelievable paradise - as we imagine Heaven to be. God knows what is best. He provides. They are happy.
Yet, “As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus’ tenderness toward children which caused him to say: ‘Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,’ allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism.” CCC, no. 1261
What to have in case of emergency:
Your priest’s phone number
A plan for burial
Holy water (or water)
Be in a state of grace
The intention to do what Holy Church does
The words of (conditional) Baptism:
(“If you are living...)
I baptize you in the
(pour water) Name of the Father,
(pour water) and of the Son,
(pour water) and of the Holy Ghost."
A sample of the support available:
Catholic Miscarriage Support - practical and spiritual:
http://www.catholicmiscarriagesupport.com/A comprehensive book for during and after:
Grieving Together: A Couple’s Journey through Miscarriage by Laura and Franco David FanucciHelp for managing a prenatal diagnosis:
Be Not Afraid http://www.benotafraid.net/For finding and burying your baby:
Heaven’s Gain https://heavensgain.org/Offering their gift of photography and remembrance:
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/An informative article by an experienced mother:
“Baptizing Miscarried and Stillborn Babies: The Other Unborn.” Anonymous. Posted February 19, 2020. https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/To request or gift a Holy Mass intention:
Seraphic Mass Association: https://mymassrequest.org/Resource for priests:
Archdiocese of Philadelphia. “Providing Pastoral Support When a Child Dies Shortly Before or Just After Birth.” http://www.odwphiladelphia.org/sacred-liturgy/
View the Step-by-Step chart (without formatting), or: