January 13, 2011

• Veronica's Baptism

  This past Sunday, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, was Veronica's baptism.  Such a wonderful feast to have her baptized on and to make it even more special she shared her baptism with the daughter of some very good friends of ours.  So our day started with Mass where we saw Catherine make her First Holy Communion, she looked beautiful and was very excited to finally be receiving our Lord.  Veronica and Iliana were then baptized after Mass.

  The baptisms were months in the planning. Brad and Cesar spent hours working on the baptisms since we were using the Extraordinary Form of the Baptismal Rite.  We had never used the Extraordinary Form, but it was beautiful and I can't imagine not using it again.  The richness of the symbolism that ties so wonderfully into the Easter Vigil Mass, the tradition, the Litany of the Saints (sung in Latin), the blessed salt, the presentation of the white gowns to the girls and the entire ceremony were just beautiful. I wish  could put into words how amazing the baptisms were.  And being able to share the day with great friends made it even more special.

  We started outside the church and the two fathers knocked on the doors which were opened by two alter servers and asked permission to bring their daughters into the Church.  Once this was done, we signed their heads with the Sign of the Cross and handed the babies to their Godmothers for the remainder of the ceremony.

  Veronica with her Godparents, Cree and Jamie walking into the church; wonderful friends of ours who are going to be great a source of strength and prayer for her as she grows.
  

  More pictures from the back of the church where Father performed the Exsufflation (Father breathes 3 times on the face of the baby in the form of a cross and then says, "Depart from her, unclean spirit, and give place to the Holy Spirit, the Advocate")
  

  The Sign of the Cross (Father uses his thumb and  traces the sign of the cross on the brow and on the breast of the child, saying: "Receive the sign of the cross on your brow and on your heart. Put your whole trust in the heavenly teachings. And lead a life that will truly fit you to be a dwelling place for God."), followed by several more prayers and then the blessing of the salt which each baby then received a small amount of in their mouth saying, "take this salt in sign of wisdom. May it be for you likewise a token that foreshadows everlasting life."  Then praying:

  God of our fathers, God, source of all truth, we humbly ask you to be well disposed to your servants, Iliana Cecilia and Veronica Catherine.
  After this first taste of salt, let their hunger for heavenly nourishment not be prolonged but soon be satisfied. For then they will always pay
  homage to your holy name with fervor, joy, and trust. In your tender care, O Lord, lead them to the bath of water where one is born over
  again, so that taken into the family of your faithful they can finally attain the everlasting reward which you have promised; through Christ our Lord.

  Then Father performed the Exorcism of the Subject
  

  Praying:  "I cast you out, unclean spirit, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Depart and stay far away from
  these servants of God, Iliana Cecilia and Veronica Catherine. For it is the Lord Himself who commands you, accursed and doomed spirit,
  He who walked on the sea and reached out His hand to Peter as he was sinking. So then, foul fiend, recall the curse that decided your fate
  once for all. Indeed, pay homage to the living and true God, pay homage to Jesus Christ, His Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Keep far from
  these servants of God, Iliana Cecilia and Veronica Catherine, for Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, has freely called them to His holy grace,
  and blessed way, and to the waters of baptism."

  Then blessing each of the babies with the sign of the cross he prayed, "Never dare, accursed fiend, to desecrate this seal of the holy
  which we imprint upon her brow; through Christ our Lord."

  Then before processing as a group to the front of the church Father prays the prayer of Enlightenment, "Holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, source of light and truth, I appeal to your sacred and boundless compassion on behalf of these servants of yours, Iliana Cecilia and Veronica Catherine. Be pleased to enlighten them by the light of your eternal wisdom. Cleanse, sanctify, and endow them with true knowledge. For thus will they be made
  ready for the grace of your baptism and ever remain steadfast, never losing hope, never faltering in duty, never straying from sacred truth; through Christ our Lord.

  Then we all sang Adeste Fidelis as we processed to the front of the church.  Once there, the Godparents stood just outside the Baptistery with the girls while we sang the Kyrie, the Litany of Saints in Latin and recited the Creed.  Father then blessed the water and performed and exorcism of the water  and at this point the Godparents, speaking for Veronica and Iliana were asked to renounce Satan, they were anointed with  the Oil of Catechumens as he prayed a prayer of Spiritual Combat.  Now they were invited into the Baptistery for a final Profession of Faith and the Baptism.

  

  Veronica and Iliana were then anointed with Chrism Oil as Father prayed, "The almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has caused
  you to be born over again of water and the Holy Spirit and pardoned you all your sins. May He now anoint you with the chrism that sanctifies in Christ Jesus our Lord, and bring you to everlasting life."

  They were then presented with their white gowns and candles.  The ceremony ended with a dedication to our Blessed Mother as the men chanted O' Sanctisima.  The whole thing was beautiful.

  Veronica in her gown
  

  Veronica with Brad and I and her Godparents
  

  The ceremony was followed by a wonderful reception and dancing to celebrate not only the baptisms, but also Catherine's First Holy Communion.  It was so nice to be able to celebrate with so many friends and family.

  Brad and I didn't get any pictures ourselves, so I'll post more pictures as we get them.  These came from Brad's sister Nicki....a huge thank you.

  • 1:26 pm
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