Infant Baptism Explained (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Podcast: The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
Host: Ascension
Episode Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the theology and tradition surrounding infant baptism in the Catholic Church. Drawing on Scripture, Church practices, and pastoral experience, he addresses common questions: Why do Catholics baptize infants? Why do older children and adults need to undergo catechesis before baptism? Throughout, Fr. Mike underscores the importance of faith—both personal and vicarious—and the spiritual value of waiting in one’s journey of faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Situation: A Family Seeking Baptism

• Fr. Mike recounts a recent experience with a family: a baby, a 15-year-old, and an adult who recently became Catholic.
• The baby was baptized immediately, while the 15-year-old must go through catechetical formation (OCIC/OCIA).
• Central question: Why is there a difference in approach between infant and older child baptism?
  “If you're asking for the sacrament, why can't they just do it now?” (00:29)

2. The Scriptural Foundation for Infant Baptism

• Baptism as Necessary for Salvation:
  • Cites 1 Peter (“baptism saves you”), and John 3 (“Unless born again of water and the Spirit, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven”).
  • Emphasizes baptism is required for entry into the Christian covenant.
• Faith Required for Salvation and Baptism:
  • Affirms that faith is necessary, but notes the unique situation of infants who cannot personally profess faith.
• Others’ Faith as Efficacious:
  • Gives examples from the Gospels:
    • Mark 2: The paralytic's friends have faith, and Jesus acts on their behalf.
      “Jesus saw their faith and said to the man, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ So we know that someone’s faith can speak for another.” (02:32)
    • The Centurion: The faith of the centurion leads to the healing of his servant.
  • Analogy: In both, someone else’s faith benefits another.

3. The Role of Parents in Infant Baptism

• Parents (and community) stand in faith on behalf of their child at baptism.
• Quote:
  “That’s the key. The reason why we believe in infant baptism is because…we know that it’s the faith of the parents that speaks on behalf of their child, since the child can’t speak on their own behalf.” (04:08)
• Old Testament Parallel:
  • Entry into the Old Covenant for boys was by circumcision (not personal decision or declaration).
  • “They were brought into…the covenant through this ritual of circumcision. They weren’t consulted.” (05:19)
  • Women were automatically included by virtue of community/family ties.
  • Baptism fulfills and replaces this Old Covenant entry ritual with a New Covenant sacrament.

4. Why Older Children and Adults Need Formation

• Personal Declaration for Those Capable:
  • Older children/adults must personally choose faith and learn what it means—a reflection of reaching the “age of reason.”
  • “The 15-year-old still needs to go through that process of encountering Jesus, learning who Jesus is, learning about the Church…so that when he does get baptized, he’s making a free act of his own will.” (06:06)
• The necessity of catechesis ensures:
  • Understanding of the faith.
  • Freedom in making the commitment.
  • Sufficient preparation to fully enter Christian life.

5. The Value of Waiting and Formation

• Some people are eager to receive sacraments immediately after conversion.
• While canon law offers flexibility, the Church prefers careful preparation over mere procedural requirements.
• Memorable Insight:
  • “There’s something that happens in the waiting that grows the heart.” (08:58)
  • “…if you let him, God will use all of this time for you to become even more ready.” (08:38)
• Waiting is not wasted—spiritual growth and deeper readiness can occur, increasing the capacity to receive grace.

6. Pastoral Encouragement

• For those waiting on baptism or deeper spiritual growth:
  • “My invitation is, this invitation is for all of us, whether we’re waiting for baptism or just wanting to grow: let God do what he needs to do in the waiting…Nothing given to God is ever wasted, not even waiting.” (09:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On parental faith and baptism:
  “The expectation is this, the expectation is once the child can choose Jesus for themselves, they’re going to choose Jesus for themselves. But in this moment of infant baptism, it’s completely legitimate because of that.” (04:38)
• On the necessity of formation for older children:
  “Let’s make sure that you don’t just say you’re prepared, but you are sufficiently prepared to take this step.” (07:19)
• On waiting as spiritual preparation:
  “…there’s something that happens in the waiting that grows the heart. I think there’s something that can happen if we let it…” (08:58)
• On God using every season:
  “Know that this waiting is not wasted. God’s using it. In fact, God uses everything. Nothing given to God is ever wasted, not even waiting.” (09:51)

Important Timestamps

• 00:29 — Fr. Mike introduces the baptism scenario and core question
• 02:32 — Scriptural precedents for others’ faith benefiting someone
• 04:08 — Explanation of parental faith in infant baptism
• 05:19 — Old Covenant circumcision as parallel to infant baptism
• 06:06 — Personal and public declaration of faith for older children
• 08:38 — The value and use of waiting in spiritual formation
• 09:44 — Final pastoral encouragement about God using waiting

Tone & Conclusion

Fr. Mike’s style is conversational, warm, and filled with scriptural and practical wisdom. He reassures listeners with pastoral care and gentle humor, elevates the value of tradition and personal faith, and encourages patience and trust in God’s timing.

Whether you’re a parent, a catechist, or someone discerning baptism, this episode offers clear, compassionate, and theologically rooted answers to key questions around infant and youth baptism in the Catholic Church.