REFLECTING ON MY OWN INFANT BAPTISM
I was about three weeks born. My parents brought me to Father Michael Griffin at St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand.
Peter John, I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
It was the sacrament of baptism and the first special moment for Jesus Christ to make active contact with my soul.
SOMEONE ASKS YOU ABOUT BAPTISING INFANTS, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
You may well respond: As a parent and believing member of the Catholic Church one reads Our Lord in John’s Gospel.
I am telling you the truth that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5
And to me that means contact my parish for support even before the birth, and certainly afterwards to arrange the details for the ceremony.
BUT SHOULDN’T IT WAIT TILL CHILDREN ARE OLD ENOUGH TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES?
They will decide for themselves on this and lots of other things. Meanwhile my Church looks after me, and I look after my children.
It will be some time before they can profess personal faith. They are baptised on the strength of my faith and the faith of their sponsoring godparents. We belong to the local church here.
We believe in the communion of saints. So, I would like at least one name to be a Christian name.
HOW WILL IT WORK OUT?
The children will be formed in the faith into which they have been baptised. As parents, we will do what we can and share what we have ourselves received.
Plus, we all as a family have the right to the love and help of the church community.
Our children have the right to be led gradually to learn God’s plan so that they may accept the faith themselves.
THE MYSTERY OF FAITH
St Paul to the Romans Ch 11, v33 How great are God’s riches! How deep are his wisdom and knowledge! Who can explain his decisions? Who can understand his ways?
Acknowledgement: The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume 1A, Rite of Baptism for Children
