Alexander's Baptism Day

On Sunday, January 31, Alexander Patrick was baptized into the Catholic Church. Alexander's baptism was after Mass and the only baptism performed at the ceremony. It was nice not to have to worry about whether our other children were going to be "too disruptive" to other families which allowed me to really focus on the words and prayers of the ceremony. This was also the fourth baptism that our parish priest has done for our family. His very first day at our church was when our oldest son, Jacob, was baptized - that was our introduction to our new priest.

Although, not as many family members were able to make the trip for this baptism, Brian's Uncle Mike and Aunt Sue drove in from Chicago to represent the York clan. It was a nice, small celebration for Alexander's big day.

Yummy cake from . . . Sam's Club!

The sweater, blanket, and booties were given to Alex by Nana and Papa Helms.
He wore a handmade gown that was also worn by Brian's grandfather, Brian, Jacob, and Peter.

Uncle Mike getting in a quick cuddle.

Getting dressed.

The boys testing the temperature of the water.

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Godparents: Uncle Dennis and Aunt Brittany Halverson

Also, for many of our non-catholic family and friends I also want to include a brief description, if you are interested in learning, about why infants are baptized in Catholic Church. The church teaches that everyone is born with original sin and that we have an inclination toward evil and ultimately the death of our soul (Catechism n. 403). There is so much more history and theology behind baptizing infants that I would love to share, but the best summation of its practice is from St. John Chrysostom in the fourth century when he said, "For this reason we baptize even infants, though they do not have sins [of their own]: so that there may be given to them holiness, righteousness, adoption, inheritance, brotherhood with Christ, and they may be his members."

The Church teaches that Baptism cleanses the soul of the stain of original sin and is required for entry into heaven. Also, Jesus said, "let the children come to me. Do not hinder them. The kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14) So if Baptism is required and the kingdom belongs to children, it is reasonable to conclude that Baptism should be available to them. Baptism is the first step in Christian initiation and the Church allows for this step to be taken as soon as possible to "receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity" (Catechism n. 1212).