44 Things I Love about being Catholic #2

Infant Baptism.

From the Catholic Catechism.....paragraph #1250....

Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called. The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant Baptism. The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth.

Thanks Adam and Eve staining us with original sin - but you know, if they hadn't have fallen I am sure somewhere along the line one of their descendants would have because we humans are weak I tell ya. Isn't it great to know that though the Sacrament of Baptism, a parent can help wash this sin away once and for all. The parents need to take a class beforehand to understand the importance of the sacrament and all the responsibilities that come with it afterwards - but this simple sacrament is so beautiful as it makes our babies perfect.

I learned when Sarah Cate was baptized that traditionally, the white gown was not put on the child until AFTER the baptism, symbolizing the rebirth and clean spirit. So when we baptized her, she started out in pink and ended up in the white gown which her cousins also wore.....this gown was actually made by MY cousin, Kathleen.

I love Baptisms ......vows rejecting Satan and His Empty works, anointing with holy oil, the pouring of holy water and the baptismal candle. We had a small family party this year celebrating Sarah's first year as a Catholic on her baptismal Birthday. Fun tradition to start.

We had Caleb baptized the night he was born. It was just Andy, Fr Liam and the NICU staff......I am glad that Andy got to be there since I wasn't able to make it after my surgery. The only comfort in losing him is knowing that he went straight to heaven. I am glad as his mom, I gave him the gift of a perfectly clean soul through his baptism.

There is nothing more pure than a newly baptized baby...they are so small and so innocent....about as close to perfection as you can get I think. In a way, I see Jesus telling us this also......

Mark 10: 14-15

When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."

The importance of Baptism goes back to well, Jesus himself. But its wonderful to see the first Disciples telling us how important it was and still is.

Acts 2:38-39 "But Peter said to them: Do penance: and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call."

Infant Baptism....about as good as it gets I think.