ust 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.

Q. 647. What are the chief ceremonies used in solemn baptism, and what
do they signify?
A. The chief ceremonies used in solemn baptism are: (1) A profession of
faith and renouncement of the devil to signify our worthiness; (2) The
placing of salt in the mouth to signify the wisdom imparted by faith;
(3) The holding of the priest's stole to signify our reception into the
Church; (4) The anointing to signify the strength given by the
Sacrament; (5) The giving of the white garment or cloth to signify our
sinless stat