5.15. Isn’t Baptism still valid in the Novus Ordo since it uses the Trinitarian formula?
Baptism is the gateway to all the sacraments and the foundation of Christian life. For baptism to be valid, it must use the correct form (words), matter (natural water applied to the skin), and intention (to do what the Church does). While the Novus Ordo claims to use the Trinitarian formula, in practice, grave abuses have spread widely. These include baptisms using invalid words (e.g. "We baptize you…"), defective matter (e.g. impure or symbolic water), and sprinkling water on hair or the crown of the head instead of the forehead, which is necessary for valid sacramental contact.
Even “bishops” and “popes” have publicly performed invalid baptisms by sprinkling water on the hair without touching the skin. These practices, along with the general corruption of sacramental theology after Vatican II, render many Novus Ordo baptisms doubtful or outright invalid, and those who receive them remain unbaptized. Below is a comparison between the Traditional Catholic Baptism and the Novus Ordo version, with explanations of the risks to validity.
| Category | Traditional Catholic Baptism | Novus Ordo “Baptism” | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form (Words) | “I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” | “We baptize you…” and other variations have been widely used | The “We baptize” formula was declared invalid by the Vatican itself (2008). Use of incorrect form = invalid baptism. |
| Matter | Natural water poured over the **forehead**, directly touching the skin | Often water is sprinkled **on hair**, not skin; sometimes symbolic “blessings” used | For validity, water must touch the skin. Sprinkling on hair or not reaching skin is invalid or doubtful. |
| Minister | Validly ordained priest or deacon (or anyone in emergency with proper intent) | Often performed by invalidly ordained “priests” or even laity | If the minister is not validly ordained and/or lacks proper intent, the baptism may be invalid. |
| Intention | To do what the Church does: remove original sin and regenerate the soul | Ambiguous: often seen as symbolic or cultural initiation | If the minister intends only a symbolic act or celebration, the sacrament is invalid due to defective intention. |
| Ritual | Includes exorcisms, blessed salt, anointings, renunciations, white garment, candle | Most traditional elements omitted or optional | Omission weakens catechesis, and undermines understanding of the sacrament’s effects and necessity. |
| Doctrinal Expression | Clearly affirms original sin, necessity of baptism for salvation, and regeneration | Modern texts downplay sin and emphasize “belonging” to community | Shifting focus to horizontal themes confuses the purpose and grace of baptism. |
| Frequency of Abuse | Rare or virtually nonexistent before Vatican II | Widespread errors in form, matter, and intent since the 1970s | Because abuses are systemic, all Novus Ordo baptisms should be presumed doubtful unless certain conditions are verified. |
| Visual Examples | Water clearly poured over the forehead with care and reverence | Pope Francis seen sprinkling on hair; many priests do not ensure water touches skin | Even televised “baptisms” by Novus Ordo leaders reveal objectively doubtful practices. |
| Fruits | Strong Catholic identity, reverence for sacraments | Confusion about necessity, identity, and effects of baptism | Vatican II undermined the dogma of baptismal necessity (*extra Ecclesiam nulla salus*). |
| Validity | Certain, when done with proper form, matter, and intent | Doubtful or invalid in many cases | Given widespread liturgical abuse, invalid ministers, and defective theology, many Novus Ordo baptisms must be conditionally repeated. |
Summary:
Baptism must be performed exactly as Christ instituted, with valid form, matter, and intent. The Novus Ordo has introduced widespread abuse and ambiguity, including the invalid “We baptize” formula, sprinkling on the hair, and administering the sacrament with no intention to confer sanctifying grace. These deviations mean that many souls are not actually baptized, even though they believe they are. This has grave consequences: unbaptized persons are not incorporated into the Church, cannot validly receive other sacraments, and remain in original sin.
For this reason, Catholics coming from the Novus Ordo must have their baptism carefully investigated, and if there is any doubt about validity, they must be conditionally baptized using the traditional Roman rite.