Beautiful, Catholic Baptism

St. Anne's Helper

Few moments are as treasured as the participation of the Catholic sacraments.   Celebrating Baptism is one of those sacraments that is a bright and beautiful gift of Grace.

This past weekend my husband and I joyfully attended our brand new Godchild's Baptism.  Before Rose was born, as in many preparations for Baptizing infants, there was an invitation, from her parents, for us to be her Godparents. This honor was accepted and adored; and the bond between Baby, Godparents, her family and ours will never be broken.  In all baptisms this bond creates pride, a sense of responsibility and happiness.  Preceding the sacrament, is the blessed birth of a new creation from God, which any parent knows is indescribable joy.  We anxiously anticipate the reception of baptism by visiting the priest, inviting friends and family, and praying for the child.  

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission . . ." (1213 CCC)

On the day of our Goddaughter's baptism my husband and I awoke early to help our friends prepare for their child's special day.  We flew down a distance to their home, the evening before, and were staying with them.  Her six siblings required shirts, ties, dress pants, dresses, tights, shoes, and quick breakfasts.  Peanut butter was removed from Rose's three year old comical brother's face and hands. Excitement radiated in the busy house.  Her mom fed, then dressed Rosie in a white onesie.  With her blonde hair, blue eyes, and round cheeks Rose was a vision.  Mom hung the family baptism gowns before leaving.  Not one, but two crisp cotton gowns were embroidered by Baby's grandma.  She had carefully stitched siblings' and Rose's names, with their baptism dates, until seven brothers and sisters were painstakingly listed.

John 3:5: Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." 

The Catholic church Rose's family attends boasts a grand, warm, baptismal bath at the back of the church.  Towels and chrism were prepared.  Rosie's mom informed my husband and I about full immersion of the baby, because we were unaccustomed to this manner of baptizing.   We were not prepared for the awesomeness of what was to happen.  The Mass began with the parents answering "Baptism," to the priest's inquiry about their intentions for their child, and five signs of the cross were placed on her forehead.

As the priest gave his homily, Rosie's mom prepared her for her baptism, by undressing her down to the diaper.  As predicted this did not bode well with Baby, and by the time we walked to the baptism waters, Rose expressed this unhappiness loudly.  A favorite image of baptism is the parishioners' eyes following the baby.  Little ones perch high upon Mom's or Dad's laps to see the baby; and adults stretch, so as not to miss a single moment.  Everyone is smiling, and we can feel the Holy Spirit enter our blissful hearts.

"to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature." (1214 Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Acts 2:38: And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

While the priest spoke the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, he gently glided Baby Rose through the water, immersing most of her body.  I held my breath and prayed that he wouldn't drop her.  Others must have done the same, because I heard people exhale when he finished.  Baby cried loudly, and the congregation laughed a little.  At that moment, at every baptism, I wonder, if we are laughing because it is a bit funny when the baby cries, or because we have so much happiness bubbling inside us, laughter has to escape.  Before the Mass was over,  we praised God because the newly baptized baby had "put on Christ."  We felt the Holy Spirit's divine presence.

This sacrament is also called "the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit," for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one "can enter the kingdom of God." (1215 Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Baptism can not be explained more proficiently than the preceding verses from our beloved Catechism of the Catholic Church, or our Holy Bible.  However, this weekend, and the baptisms of my own six children lend themselves to an appropriate description of baptism, as well:  "A wonderfully Divine day in the lives of our babies that shall never be forgotten."

(Thank you to Rose's family, for enabling us to celebrate Rose's special day with your family; and asking us to assist in her faith formation through our prayers, and sacrifices.)