My daughter, Isabella, was baptized last weekend, and it was amazing to see the enthusiasm and love with which the parish community welcomed her.
Isabella’s baptism was wonderful, and when I reflect on the sacrament’s true meaning, there’s absolutely no reason to think it wouldn’t have been. I have to admit, however, that as the day of the baptism drew nearer I’d allowed myself to be caught up in planning and stressing about what I now realize were minor details.
I worried about where to have the party after the baptism, what size cake to order and what kind of food to serve. I fretted about what Isabella would wear and how best to incorporate traditional articles of clothing from both sides of our families. I stressed about whether Isabella would freak out when the water touched her head, and if she would spit up — or worse — on the baptismal gown my godmother made for me 30 years ago from my grandmother’s wedding dress.
Needless to say, by the time we sat down in church I was already exhausted. And then the pastor came over to talk to us about what would be happening when Mass began in a few minutes. A sense of peace stole over me as I looked over at Isabella, who sat smiling away on my husband’s lap, and remembered what really mattered about the day: Isabella was about to be freed from original sin and welcomed into the Catholic Church.
I think Isabella picked up on my newfound peace because she didn’t make a peep when she was baptized a few minutes later, and even fell asleep while her baptismal candle was being lit. The whole experience was beautiful.
And to top it all off, the baptismal gown even made it through unscathed!
