Q. 116. What do you mean here by a "lay person"?
A. By a "lay person" I mean here any one who is not a priest.
All such persons and those not dedicated to the service of the Altar,
taken together, are called the "laity," as all those who have received
sacred orders or who are dedicated to the service of the Altar, taken
together, are called the "clergy."
Q. 117. What is meant by "in case of necessity?"
A. In "case of necessity" means here that a person not baptized is in
danger of death and there is no priest present to administer the
Sacrament.
Q. 118. How is Baptism given by a "lay person"?
A. Whoever baptizes must:--
Pour common water on the head or face of the person to be baptized, and
say while pouring it:
"I baptize thee, in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost."
N.B.--Any person of either sex who has, reached the use of reason can
baptize in case of necessity.
Q. 119. What else is to be observed?
A. In baptizing: (1) The water must touch the skin and flow; (2) the
same person who pours the water must say the words; (3) parents should
not baptize their own children, if there be any other person present who
knows how to baptize; (4) a man, if he be present and knows how to
administer the Sacrament, should baptize in preference to a woman; (5)
the person baptizing must have the intention of doing what the Church
does; (6) he must not repeat the baptism after giving it once correctly.
Q. 120. What is this baptism called?
A. The baptism given in case of necessity is called private baptism to
distinguish it from solemn baptism, which is given in the church with
all the ceremonies proper to it.
Q. 121. What do you mean by either sex?
A. "Either sex" means man or woman; boy or girl; any person competent to
baptize.
Q. 122. When may we say one "has reached the use of reason"?
A. We may say one "has reached the use of reason" when he knows the
difference between good and bad or right and wrong. Persons acquire this
knowledge at about the age of seven years.