Riley was baptized on October 15, 2011.
Whenever the conversation about religion arises and I say that I am Catholic and Jacob is Christian I always hear the same thing ... Catholics are Christian. In a sense we are but there ARE differences and when to baptize a child is one of them.
This is how I see baptism:
Reborn of Water and the Spirit: The Rite of Infant Baptism.
Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." From the earliest years of the Church, not only adults, but also children have been joined to Jesus and His Church through the sacrament of Baptism. Like all of the sacraments, Baptism is not only a sign of faith, but also a means of grace. This means that it has a real spiritual effect in the soul of the baptized infant. Responding to Jesus' words to Nicodemus that "No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit," the Catholic Church has always placed the highest value on the Sacrament of Baptism, believing that through Baptism, the soul is cleansed of original sin, and a person becomes a child of God, and an heir to eternal life. For this reason, the Church has always striven to make sure that young children are not deprived of the grace of Baptism.
Jesus' departing words at the end of St. Matthew's gospel are: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Baptism makes one a disciple of Jesus, someone who follows him and learns from Him. For this reason, adults must come to an understanding and trust of Jesus' teachings before coming to Baptism. Infants are too small to understand Jesus' teachings intellectually, but they too receive the gift of faith in Baptism, a gift that has to be nourished, especiallyby their parents and godparents, as they grow in age. All who have become disciples of Christ through Baptism are by that token joined to his Church, the community of all who are united to Christ. This means that Baptism brings the obligation to live as a Christian, following the commandments of Christ and His Church. The Christian life, beginning with Baptism, is a constant process of strengthening that communion, through faith, sacraments, and life, so that one day it might become perfect in heaven.
Whenever the conversation about religion arises and I say that I am Catholic and Jacob is Christian I always hear the same thing ... Catholics are Christian. In a sense we are but there ARE differences and when to baptize a child is one of them.
This is how I see baptism:
Reborn of Water and the Spirit: The Rite of Infant Baptism.
Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." From the earliest years of the Church, not only adults, but also children have been joined to Jesus and His Church through the sacrament of Baptism. Like all of the sacraments, Baptism is not only a sign of faith, but also a means of grace. This means that it has a real spiritual effect in the soul of the baptized infant. Responding to Jesus' words to Nicodemus that "No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit," the Catholic Church has always placed the highest value on the Sacrament of Baptism, believing that through Baptism, the soul is cleansed of original sin, and a person becomes a child of God, and an heir to eternal life. For this reason, the Church has always striven to make sure that young children are not deprived of the grace of Baptism.
Jesus' departing words at the end of St. Matthew's gospel are: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Baptism makes one a disciple of Jesus, someone who follows him and learns from Him. For this reason, adults must come to an understanding and trust of Jesus' teachings before coming to Baptism. Infants are too small to understand Jesus' teachings intellectually, but they too receive the gift of faith in Baptism, a gift that has to be nourished, especiallyby their parents and godparents, as they grow in age. All who have become disciples of Christ through Baptism are by that token joined to his Church, the community of all who are united to Christ. This means that Baptism brings the obligation to live as a Christian, following the commandments of Christ and His Church. The Christian life, beginning with Baptism, is a constant process of strengthening that communion, through faith, sacraments, and life, so that one day it might become perfect in heaven.
My parents who live in San Diego were Riley's godparents.
It was another very intimate event.
Jacob's parents were the only other family members present.
Riley was super restless the entire time ... well, except after he was infused (holy water being poured on his head) after that he became calm. It was a bit warm inside the Church so I don't blame him, I was very warm myself.
Riley loved this ... he didn't even cry.
All freshened up ... the cool holy water was a lifesaver.
He was pretty much calm for the remainder of the ceremony.
Yay ... Riley's been baptized!!!
My parents - Riley's Godparents
Jacob's parents - my in-laws
About two days later Riley got his baptism pictures taken.
He wouldn't sit still and these pictures that you're about to see where the best ones we managed to get.
I liked how Riley looked with the hat on.
He wore a vested short set with a tiny bow.
He looked just precious!
This was also Riley's very 1st time to wear shoes.
There wasn't a need to before.
♥ What a sweetheart ♥
