Q. 637.  Can a person ever receive any of the other Sacraments without first receiving baptism?  A. A person can never receive any of the other Sacraments without first receiving baptism, because baptism makes us members of Christ’s Church, and unless we are members of His Church we cannot receive His Sacraments.

Q. 638. {156} How is Baptism given?  A. Whoever baptizes should pour water on the head of the person to be baptized, and say, while pouring the water:  “I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Q. 639.  If water cannot be had, in case of necessity, may any other liquid be used for baptism?  A. If water cannot be had, in case of necessity or in any case, no other liquid can be used, and the baptism cannot be given.

Q. 640.  If it is impossible, in case of necessity, to reach the head, may the water be poured on any other part of the body?  A. If it is impossible, in case of necessity, to reach the head, the water should be poured on whatever part of the body can be reached; but then the baptism must be given conditionally; that is, before pronouncing the words of baptism, you must say:  “If I can baptize thee in this way, I baptize thee in the name of the Father,” &c.  If the head can afterward be reached, the water must be poured on the head and the baptism repeated conditionally by saying:  “If you are not already baptized, I baptize thee in the name,” &c.

Q. 641.  Is the baptism valid if we say:  “I baptize thee in the name of the Holy Trinity,” without naming the Persons of the Trinity?  A. The baptism is not valid if we say:  “I baptize thee in the name of the Holy Trinity,” without naming the Persons of the Trinity; for we must use the exact words instituted by Christ.

Q. 642.  Is it wrong to defer the baptism of an infant?  A. It is wrong to defer the baptism of an infant, because we thereby expose the child to the danger of dying without the Sacrament.

Q. 643.  Can we baptize a child against the wishes of its parents?  A. We cannot baptize a child against the wishes of its parents; and if the parents are not Catholics, they must not only consent to the baptism, but also agree to bring the child up in the Catholic religion.  But if a child is surely dying, we may baptize it without either the consent or permission of its parents.

Q. 644. {157} How many kinds of Baptism are there?  A. There are three kinds of Baptism:  Baptism of water, of desire, and of blood.

Q. 645. {158} What is Baptism of water?  A. Baptism of water is that which is given by pouring water on the head of the person to be baptized, and saying at the same time, “I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Q. 646.  In how many ways was the baptism of water given in the first ages of the Church?  A. In the first ages of the Church, baptism of water was given in three ways, namely, by immersion or dipping, by aspersion or sprinkling, and by infusion or pouring.  Although any of these methods would be valid, only the method of infusion or pouring is now allowed in the Church.