Blessings Abounded at our Baby's Baptism

 

On Saturday, August 31, 2013, we baptized our newest addition to the Smith family!  In our Catholic faith, we baptize infants into God's family.  For more information on infant baptism in the Catholic Church go HERE and HERE. 

Here are some photos that my Dad took of our sweet ones special and faith-filled day!  I can't thank my Dad enough for capturing another one of our family's celebrations on camera!  We are so grateful for his wonderful gift of photography! 

On the left side is the 70 year old christening gown hanging up that was hand-made by Leah's great, great grandmother.  My mom and her brother wore the gown as infants at their baptism and it has been passed down ever since.  My siblings, cousins, and I wore it at our baptism and now my children have worn it.  My son had blue long ribbons on the gown when he was baptized and at Leah's baptism he exclaimed, "I wore a dress at my baptism!" :)   On the right side is Leah modeling the beautiful gown.

"Leah, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." 

The priest pours water over the head of your baby (or immerses the baby in the water) and says "I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." This is for cleansing and is a sign that our sins are washed away. Baptism cleanses us of original sin wih which we are all born and, in the baptism of adults, of every sin committed prior to baptism. Water is also necessary for life and so is a sign, too, that the life of the risen Christ is ours. It is also a sign of life. Without water nothing can grow. It is a sign of the new spiritual life into which the baptised person is entering. 

This is one of our family's favorite pictures of Fr. Alex holding and kissing our little Leah.  We are blessed to know such a wonderful priest who loves all his "children" and who loves homeschool families! 

Fr. Alex gave Leah a holy oil "bath".  You could smell her holiness for days afterward!  :) 

Oil of Baptism is olive oil rubbed on the breast of the baby, just as athletes used to rub themselves with oil to strengthen and prepare for the fight ahead. It symbolizes strengthening for the struggles of life ahead. Oil of Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam (sweet-smelling ointment) and is rubbed on the crown of the head. It is a sign of sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The profession of faith which you make on behalf of your child at Baptism will later be confirmed personally by your child in the Sacrament of Confirmation when Oil of Chrism will be used again. 

As a sign of the new life a Baptismal candle will be lit using the flame from the Easter Candle which symbolises the light of Christ - the Light of the World. This is the light that darkness cannot overcome. Light warms and encourages, it gives safety and illuminates the way ahead. It can burn and test substances. The baptised child, who has opened her eyes to the light of creation, is now awakened by the flame of faith. She is called to see all things through the eyes of Jesus Christ. 

My parents, in-laws and families from our homeschool group who were able to attend the baptism.

Our family with Leah's Godparents and their family.  They also have the last name of Smith, but we aren't related.  Cameron Smith, Leah's Godfather, is the Catholic artist that did the amazing and beautiful print of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (shown at the top of my blog on my blog header) and Immaculate Heart of Mary.  You can view and order both prints HERE. 

In the top right corner are pictured my parents on the left and my in-laws on the right

 Leah's Godparents are beautiful inside and out! 

Leah was not too impressed with cutting her cake as she dozes off in the middle of cake cutting! :) My 13 year old cupcake wrote "Welcome to Leah's Baptism Reception" on our driveway with chalk to welcome our guests to our house for the reception.  The cake says "God Bless You Leah on your Baptism." 

It was a beautiful and blessed day filled with special graces, family, and friends!

Thank you for stopping by my corner of blog land to allow me to share this joyous occasion with you!

God bless!