Joining the Ranks of the Baptized Brothers ~ Highlights From Joseph's Big Day

Happy Monday, Friends! I'm finally catching a moment in between baby feedings and toddler melt-downs to give you the highlights of Joseph's baptism.

The night before our children are baptized, I lie awake, unable to sleep, thinking about how beautiful and meaningful the sacrament is. The joy in my heart is indescribable!

Our parish priest suggested that we celebrate the baptism on Saturday afternoon, which I thought was perfect, because it would give me an entire morning to get prepared.  But, of course, you all know how that song and dance goes. Sure you have plenty of time to get ready, but in the end, no matter how planned and prepared mama is, everyone always ends up racing out the door at the last minute combing hair, tucking in shirts and you're trying not to lose your grip along the way!

Father Aaron is a truly wonderful priest. He welcomed our family into the church that afternoon with open arms, and his unmistakable grin. Our boys just love him, I can see the respect and admiration they have for him in their eyes and in the attentiveness they give him during mass.

May the power of the Holy Spirit,
O Lord, we pray,
come down through your Son
into the fullness of this font,
so that all who have been buried with Christ
by Baptism into death
may rise again to life with him.

The rite of baptism is beautiful, the prayers are rich with meaning, many of them mirroring the prayers of the funeral rite, both marking our entrance into and exit from this world.  I try so hard each time our children are baptized to hold back my tears, but it really is impossible.  When I start to think about the generous love God has for all of us, that he would allow us to experience that love through the tangible means of cleansing water, anointing oils, burning candle light, and the beautiful prayers of blessing spoken by the priest, prayers gifted to the church through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I am truly overwhelmed!

Steve and I had a similar experience of looking out upon our five older sons, all who have been baptized, and feeling so much joy as they proudly celebrated the sacrament with their youngest brother.  They really knew that it was a very special day for Joseph, even Charlie sat quietly through the baptism, watching closely with sweet attentiveness and curiosity.

George is always first line when it comes to holding Joey.

It's hard to describe the intensity of the desire that I had to pray for our each one of our sons during the baptism. I want so much for each one of them as individuals to live fully the graces of their own baptism, and to experience their own personal relationship with our Lord - not mine, not Steve's.  Raising hearts for Christ requires great faith on our part as parents, and a firm resolution to pray continually for our children, trusting in God's plan for their lives.

My sister, Sara, and her husband, Johannes, happily accepted our invitation to be Joseph's Godparents. The timing of the baptism was perfect, since they had traveled to the States with their children from their home in Switzerland to visit family for a few weeks this summer.

After the baptism was over, I really wanted to capture the joy of the afternoon in a few pics of the boys.  We handed Joseph over to Benedict and it didn't take long for all of them to gather around Joseph, baptizing them in their own way with a smothering of hugs and kisses.

The Band of Baptized Brothers!

Notice how one of the gang is not dressed like the others? Welp, you know every important event must have a fashion emergency. The morning of the baptism, I was gathering up everyone's attire for the afternoon when I realized Henry's white shirt was missing.  After a little digging around, I found it buried in the corner of his closet.  Big surprise.  For a moment all hope of matching was not lost, until I saw the smears of crusty chocolate fingerprints left lingering from the Easter egg hunt our church hosted for the kids after mass last spring. 

Aye Caramba. 

There was no time to get that shirt in shape in time for the baptism. I had no choice but to put the boy in blue.  As you can see, he wore it proudly. *sigh*

We call this the picture of providence. Andrew often talks about being a priest one day.  When he saw this photo, he said, "Mom, it looks like I'm blessing everyone.  Wouldn't it be great if I could baptize my brothers' kids someday?" Oh, my, would it ever.

I was too busy enjoying the post-baptism festivities to take very many pictures.  But, I wanted to include a shot of Joseph's cake.  Isn't it beautiful? My amazingly talented friend, Missy, kindly agreed to share her culinary gifts with all of us. A sweet way to end such a special day!

Mmmmm....Chrism!!

By God’s gift, through water and the Holy Spirit, 
we are reborn to everlasting life. 
In his goodness, 
may he continue to pour out his blessings upon these sons and daughters of his. 
May he make them always, wherever they may be, 
faithful members of his holy people. 

(Rite of baptism for a child)