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Email a FriendPosted by Jay on Monday, Mar 9, 2009 4:44 PM (EDT):
Congratulations!!
A New One in the Fold
Our son is baptized!
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Monday, March 09, 2009 3:30 PM
We’ve got a brand-new Catholic at our house!
Blaise was baptized yesterday afternoon at our parish, along with three other babies. It was a joyous occasion. Both sets of the baby’s grandparents and all but one of his aunts and uncles were there, plus his godparents who are some dear friends of ours who live a few states away.
When I was still young enough that all religious ceremonies seemed boring, I remember thinking that the one good thing about the rite of baptism was that at least it was fairly short.
That’s not true at our parish, where the entire rite - including music, the deacon’s homily, and some extra prayers - takes close to an hour. As a kid I would have found this tedious, and I think some of the children there did. But as an adult, celebrating my precious baby son’s reception into the Catholic Church, I drank in every word.
I found myself tearing up as we prayed over Blaise’s ears and mouth, that he might hear the Word of God and proclaim it. After he’d been baptized and anointed with chrism, the tiny snow-white baptismal stole wrapped around his shoulders, I couldn’t stop grinning!
It is both incredible and daunting to know that as his parents we have a huge responsibility to help our son learn to serve God throughout his life. I expect there will be times when it’s very difficult for us to do that job, and I pray that God will give us the grace to get through them.
At this moment, though, I’m simply joyous at the thought that little Blaise is beginning his life as a Christian. For him, this is the start of the road, and it’s very good place to be!
Comments
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Posted by SHARON CROSS on Monday, Mar 9, 2009 6:44 PM (EDT):
At our parish, if you want to have a Baptism during Mass, you must request it. We had our baby Baptized on the Baptism of Our Lord during Mass, and the last Baptism we saw during Mass was 2 years ago for my other son. Monsignor Cariglio always does such a beautiful job of personalizing the Mass, I felt like the day was designed to baptize my baby. He makes several references to the patron saints (first and middle names), the parents and Godparents walk with the baby in the beginning procession, he blesses the family at the altar near the end of Mass, he has the parents hold the baby up high near the end of Mass to the congregation and welcomes the baby to the church, and he even let the congregation know we were using a family gown. One cannot help to feel God so close through this experience that he offers us.
Posted by Danielle M. on Monday, Mar 9, 2009 8:54 PM (EDT):
Congratulations! My most recent was Baptized on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and it was just us (our Priest was doing us a favor since all family is out of town and lots were in town then), but still the full ceremony. I too was just about in tears the whole time. I think Baptism is the most beautiful, special, intimate Sacrament we have been given (OK, maybe marriage comes close too but it’s tough to realize it at the time with everyone looking at you during the whole thing). I like to make little prayer-card sized laminated cards of the photos of my four children as they are beigng Baptized to remind me of how filled with awe I was at that moment. I print a prayer to their patron Saint or other prayer that reminds me of them on the back. It helps to reflect on that great image when the little angel wakes you up every two hours the following night to nurse because he’s going through a growth spurt 
Posted by Kate Wicker on Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 6:39 AM (EDT):
Welcome to the Body of Christ, Blaise!!!
Posted by Deacon Tom on Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 4:13 PM (EDT):
Dear Arwen… your words and actions restore hope against the many situations we face in the Church where these liturgical celebrations are not that meaningful to the participants—and for far too many, it’s a short ceremony on the way to Denny’s or someplace for breakfast.
I didn’t read or don’t know what prompted the name Blaise—but before moving to AZ, I had 3 (Three!) operations on one vocal chord… so I’m not unfamiliar with praying to Blaise for help.
May your son Blaise give words to the Gospel in the lives of many…
Your column makes me wish I had been there to pray with and celebrate the new Catholic.
Blessings. Congratulations. And prayers!
dt
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