Choose a topic from Part 3a:

71. Preparation for Baptism

1. Instruction is to precede baptism, for our Lord said(Matt. 28:19): "Going therefore, teach ye all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and ofthe Holy Ghost." Infants who are incapable of receivingpersonal instruction, are baptized in the faith of theChurch. Yet the sponsor for an infant promises to use his bestefforts to see that the child will be duly instructed.

2. Exorcism, which is the casting out of evil spirits,should precede baptism. For the devil is the enemy of man'ssalvation, and he has a certain power over man in the fact that manis subject to sin.

3. The exorcism casts out demons lest they impede thesalvation of the person baptized. In the ritual employed by theChurch for solemn baptism, this exorcism is prescribed.

4. It is the work of priests to instruct and exorcisethose preparing for baptism, and afterwards to baptize them.

"The greatest glory we can give to God is to do his will in everything."
St Alphonsus de Liguori

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"If, devout soul, it is your will to please God and live a life of serenity in this world, unite yourself always and in all things to the divine will. Reflect that all the sins of your past wicked life happened because you wandered from the path of God's will. For the future, embrace God's good pleasure and say to him in every happening: "Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight." "
St Alphonsus de Liguori

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"Those who love God are always happy, because their whole happiness is to fulfill, even in adversity, the will of God."
St Alphonsus de Liguori

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