Pius X Catechism – Necessity of Baptism and Obligations of the Baptised

Location: The Sacraments > Baptism > Necessity of Baptism and Obligations of the Baptised

Q1: Is Baptism necessary to salvation?

A1: Baptism is absolutely necessary to salvation, for our Lord has expressly said: ‘Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.’

Q2: Can the absence of Baptism be supplied in any other way?

A2: The absence of Baptism can be supplied by martyrdom, which is called Baptism of Blood, or by an act of perfect love of God, or of contrition, along with the desire, at least implicit, of Baptism, and this is called Baptism of Desire.

Q3: To what is the person baptised bound?

A3: The person baptised is bound to always profess the faith and observe the Law of Jesus Christ and of His Church.

Q4: In receiving holy Baptism what do we renounce?

A4: In receiving holy Baptism we renounce, for ever, the devil, his works and pomps.

Q5: What is meant by the works and pomps of the devil?

A5: By the works and pomps of the devil we mean sin and the maxims of the world that are contrary to the maxims of the Gospel.