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Question: 71 [<< | >>]
We have now to consider the preparations that accompany Baptism:
concerning which there are four points of inquiry:
(1) Whether catechism should precede Baptism?
(2) Whether exorcism should precede Baptism?
(3) Whether what is done in catechizing and exorcizing, effects
anything, or is a mere sign?
(4) Whether those who are to be baptized should be catechized or
exorcized by priests?
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Question: 71 [<< | >>]
Article: 1 [<< | >>]
Objection 1: It seems that catechism should not precede Baptism. For by
Baptism men are regenerated unto the spiritual life. But man begins to
live before being taught. Therefore man should not be catechized, i.e.
taught, before being baptized.
Objection 2: Further, Baptism is given not only to adults, but also to children, who are not capable of being taught, since they have not the use of reason. Therefore it is absurd to catechize them.
Objection 3: Further, a man, when catechized, confesses his faith. Now a child
cannot confess its faith by itself, nor can anyone else in its stead;
both because no one can bind another to do anything; and because one
cannot know whether the child, having come to the right age, will give
its assent to faith. Therefore catechism should not precede Baptism.
On the contrary, Rabanus says (De Instit. Cleric. i): "Before Baptism
man should be prepared by catechism, in order that the catechumen may
receive the rudiments of faith."
I answer that, As stated above (Question [70], Article [1]), Baptism is the Sacrament
of Faith: since it is a profession of the Christian faith. Now in order
that a man receive the faith, he must be instructed therein, according to
Rm. 10:14: "How shall they believe Him, of Whom they have not heard? And
how shall they hear without a preacher?" And therefore it is fitting that
catechism should precede Baptism. Hence when our Lord bade His disciples
to baptize, He made teaching to precede Baptism, saying: "Go ye . . . and
teach all nations, baptizing them," etc.
Reply to Objection 1: The life of grace unto which a man is regenerated,
presupposes the life of the rational nature, in which man is capable of
receiving instruction.
Reply to Objection 2: Just as Mother Church, as stated above (Question [69], Article [6], ad 3),
lends children another's feet that they may come, and another's heart
that they may believe, so, too, she lends them another's ears, that they
may hear, and another's mind, that through others they may be taught. And
therefore, as they are to be baptized, on the same grounds they are to be
instructed.
Reply to Objection 3: He who answers in the child's stead: "I do believe," does
not foretell that the child will believe when it comes to the right age,
else he would say: "He will believe"; but in the child's stead he
professes the Church's faith which is communicated to that child, the
sacrament of which faith is bestowed on it, and to which faith he is
bound by another. For there is nothing unfitting in a person being bound
by another in things necessary for salvation. In like manner the sponsor,
in answering for the child, promises to use his endeavors that the child
may believe. This, however, would not be sufficient in the case of adults
having the use of reason.
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Objection 1: It seems that exorcism should not precede Baptism. For exorcism
is ordained against energumens or those who are possessed. But not all
are such like. Therefore exorcism should not precede Baptism.
Objection 2: Further, so long as man is a subject of sin, the devil has power
over him, according to Jn. 8:34: "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant
of sin." But sin is taken away by Baptism. Therefore men should not be
exorcized before Baptism.
Objection 3: Further, Holy water was introduced in order to ward off the power
of the demons. Therefore exorcism was not needed as a further remedy.
On the contrary, Pope Celestine says (Epist. ad Episcop. Galliae):
"Whether children or young people approach the sacrament of regeneration,
they should not come to the fount of life before the unclean spirit has
been expelled from them by the exorcisms and breathings of the clerics."
I answer that, Whoever purposes to do a work wisely, first removes the
obstacles to his work; hence it is written (Jer. 4:3): "Break up anew
your fallow ground and sow not upon thorns." Now the devil is the enemy
of man's salvation, which man acquires by Baptism; and he has a certain
power over man from the very fact that the latter is subject to original,
or even actual, sin. Consequently it is fitting that before Baptism the
demons should be cast out by exorcisms, lest they impede man's salvation.
Which expulsion is signified by the (priest) breathing (upon the person
to be baptized); while the blessing, with the imposition of hands, bars
the way against the return of him who was cast out. Then the salt which
is put in the mouth, and the anointing of the nose and ears with spittle,
signify the receiving of doctrine, as to the ears; consent thereto as to
the nose; and confession thereof, as to the mouth. And the anointing with
oil signifies man's ability to fight against the demons.
Reply to Objection 1: The energumens are so-called from "laboring inwardly" under
the outward operation of the devil. And though not all that approach
Baptism are troubled by him in their bodies, yet all who are not baptized
are subject to the power of the demons, at least on account of the guilt
of original sin.
Reply to Objection 2: The power of the devil in so far as he hinders man from
obtaining glory, is expelled from man by the baptismal ablution; but in
so far as he hinders man from receiving the sacrament, his power is cast
out by the exorcisms.
Reply to Objection 3: Holy water is used against the assaults of demons from
without. But exorcisms are directed against those assaults of the demons
which are from within. hence those who are exorcized are called
energumens, as it were "laboring inwardly."
Or we may say that just as Penance is given as a further remedy against
sin, because Baptism is not repeated; so Holy Water is given as a further
remedy against the assaults of demons, because the baptismal exorcisms
are not given a second time.
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Objection 1: It seems that what is done in the exorcism does not effect
anything, but is a mere sign. For if a child die after the exorcisms,
before being baptized, it is not saved. But the effects of what is done
in the sacraments are ordained to the salvation of man; hence it is
written (Mk. 16:16): "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."
Therefore what is done in the exorcism effects nothing, but is a mere
sign.
Objection 2: Further, nothing is required for a sacrament of the New Law, but
that it should be a sign and a cause, as stated above (Question [62], Article [1]). If,
therefore, the things done in the exorcism effect anything, it seems that
each of them is a sacrament.
Objection 3: Further, just as the exorcism is ordained to Baptism, so if
anything be effected in the exorcism, it is ordained to the effect of
Baptism. But disposition must needs precede the perfect form: because
form is not received save into matter already disposed. It would follow,
therefore, that none could obtain the effect of Baptism unless he were
previously exorcized; which is clearly false. Therefore what is done in
the exorcisms has no effect.
Objection 4: Further, just as some things are done in the exorcism before
Baptism, so are some things done after Baptism; for instance, the priest
anoints the baptized on the top of the head. But what is done after
Baptism seems to have no effect; for, if it had, the effect of Baptism
would be imperfect. Therefore neither have those things an effect, which
are done in exorcism before Baptism.
On the contrary, Augustine says (De Symbolo I): "Little children are
breathed upon and exorcized, in order to expel from them the devil's
hostile power, which deceived man." But the Church does nothing in vain.
Therefore the effect of these breathings is that the power of the devils
is expelled.
I answer that, Some say that the things done in the exorcism have no
effect, but are mere signs. But this is clearly false; since in
exorcizing, the Church uses words of command to cast out the devil's
power, for instance, when she says: "Therefore, accursed devil, go out
from him," etc.
Therefore we must say that they have some effect, but, other than that
of Baptism. For Baptism gives man grace unto the full remission of sins.
But those things that are done in the exorcism remove the twofold
impediment against the reception of saving grace. Of these, one is the
outward impediment, so far as the demons strive to hinder man's
salvation. And this impediment is removed by the breathings, whereby the
demon's power is cast out, as appears from the passage quoted from
Augustine, i.e. as to the devil not placing obstacles against the
reception of the sacrament. Nevertheless, the demon's power over man
remains as to the stain of sin, and the debt of punishment, until sin be
washed away by Baptism. And in this sense Cyprian says (Epist. lxxvi):
"Know that the devil's evil power remains until the pouring of the saving
water: but in Baptism he loses it all."
The other impediment is within, forasmuch as, from having contracted
original sin, man's sense is closed to the perception of the mysteries of
salvation. Hence Rabanus says (De Instit. Cleric. i) that "by means of
the typifying spittle and the touch of the priest, the Divine wisdom and
power brings salvation to the catechumen, that his nostrils being opened
he may perceive the odor of the knowledge of God, that his ears be opened
to hear the commandments of God, that his senses be opened in his inmost
heart to respond."
Reply to Objection 1: What is done in the exorcism does not take away the sin for
which man is punished after death; but only the impediments against his
receiving the remission of sin through the sacrament. Wherefore exorcism
avails a man nothing after death if he has not been baptized.
Praepositivus, however, says that children who die after being exorcized
but before being baptized are subjected to lesser darkness. But this does
not seem to be true: because that darkness consists in privation of the
vision of God, which cannot be greater or lesser.
Reply to Objection 2: It is essential to a sacrament to produce its principal
effect, which is grace that remits sin, or supplies some defect in man.
But those things that are done in the exorcism do not effect this; they
merely remove these impediments. Consequently, they are not sacraments
but sacramentals.
Reply to Objection 3: The disposition that suffices for receiving the baptismal
grace is the faith and intention, either of the one baptized, if it be an
adult, or of the Church, if it be a child. But these things that are done
in the exorcism, are directed to the removal of the impediments. And
therefore one may receive the effect of Baptism without them.
Yet they are not to be omitted save in a case of necessity. And then, if
the danger pass, they should be supplied, that uniformity in Baptism may
be observed. Nor are they supplied to no purpose after Baptism: because,
just as the effect of Baptism may be hindered before it is received, so
can it be hindered after it has been received.
Reply to Objection 4: Of those things that are done after Baptism in respect of the person baptized, something is done which is not a mere sign, but produces an effect, for instance, the anointing on the top of the head, the effect of which is the preservation of baptismal grace. And there is something which has no effect, but is a mere sign, for instance, the baptized are given a white garment to signify the newness of life.
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Question: 71 [<< | >>]
Article: 4 [<< | >>]
Objection 1: It seems that it does not belong to a priest to catechize and
exorcize the person to be baptized. For it belongs to the office of
ministers to operate on the unclean, as Dionysius says (Eccl. Hier. v).
But catechumens who are instructed by catechism, and "energumens" who are
cleansed by exorcism, are counted among the unclean, as Dionysius says in
the same place. Therefore to catechize and to exorcize do not belong to
the office of the priests, but rather to that of the ministers.
Objection 2: Further, catechumens are instructed in the Faith by the Holy
Scripture which is read in the church by ministers: for just as the Old
Testament is recited by the Readers, so the New Testament is read by the
Deacons and Subdeacons. And thus it belongs to the ministers to
catechize. In like manner it belongs, seemingly, to the ministers to
exorcize. For Isidore says (Epist. ad Ludifred.): "The exorcist should
know the exorcisms by heart, and impose his hands on the energumens and
catechumens during the exorcism." Therefore it belongs not to the
priestly office to catechize and exorcize.
Objection 3: Further, "to catechize" is the same as "to teach," and this is
the same as "to perfect." Now this belongs to the office of a bishop, as
Dionysius says (Eccl. Hier. v). Therefore it does not belong to the
priestly office.
On the contrary, Pope Nicolas I says: "The catechizing of those who are
to be baptized can be undertaken by the priests attached to each church."
And Gregory says (Hom. xxix super Ezech.): "When priests place their
hands on believers for the grace of exorcism, what else do they but cast
out the devils?"
I answer that, The minister compared to the priest, is as a secondary
and instrumental agent to the principal agent: as is implied in the very
word "minister." Now the secondary agent does nothing without the
principal agent in operating. And the more mighty the operation, so much
the mightier instruments does the principal agent require. But the
operation of the priest in conferring the sacrament itself is mightier
than in those things that are preparatory to the sacrament. And so the
highest ministers who are called deacons co-operate with the priest in
bestowing the sacraments themselves: for Isidore says (Epist. ad
Ludifred.) that "it belongs to the deacons to assist the priests in all
things that are done in Christ's sacraments, in Baptism, to wit, in the
Chrism, in the Paten and Chalice"; while the inferior ministers assist
the priest in those things which are preparatory to the sacraments: the
readers, for instance, in catechizing; the exorcists in exorcizing.
Reply to Objection 1: The minister's operation in regard to the unclean is ministerial and, as it were, instrumental, but the priest's is principal.
Reply to Objection 2: To readers and exorcists belongs the duty of catechizing
and exorcizing, not, indeed, principally, but as ministers of the priest
in these things.
Reply to Objection 3: Instruction is manifold. one leads to the embracing of the
Faith; and is ascribed by Dionysius to bishops (Eccl. Hier. ii) and can
be undertaken by any preacher, or even by any believer. Another is that
by which a man is taught the rudiments of faith, and how to comport
himself in receiving the sacraments: this belongs secondarily to the
ministers, primarily to the priests. A third is instruction in the mode
of Christian life: and this belongs to the sponsors. A fourth is the
instruction in the profound mysteries of faith, and on the perfection of
Christian life: this belongs to bishops "ex officio," in virtue of their
office.