Baptism: Welcoming a child into the Christian world
Godparents were chosen from among relatives and friends of the parents. In our
tradition, the relationship between the child and his/her grandparents doesn’t end after
baptism. It doesn’t just show itself during Christmas when godchildren visit their
godparents to ask for blessing and gifts. Godparents are given the responsibility – and
accept it -- to perform as secondary parents to the child being baptized.

Once the child is baptized with water and the priest says “I baptize you in the name of
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” the celebratory feeling wafts in the air.

So, on this special day, our family gathered with our friends in church to celebrate
Deejay’s baptism. We were expecting about an hour of the ritual to be done, then we
would invite our guests, friends and relatives attendance to lunch specially prepared for
the occasion. However, there was a new change in the procedure! There was an hour-
long “seminar” or lecture for parents and godparents led by a local school teacher that
preceded the formal baptismal ceremony. The “lecture” was about the meaning of
baptism in the Catholic faith, the significance of the baptismal symbols, and the role of
parents and godparents in the child’s spiritual and earthly life. It would have been okay if
the lecture didn’t take an hour, but Deejay -- as well as the other infants to be baptized --
has become antsy in his formal clothes amid a very hot weather. When the priest came
out from the sacristy, everyone was sweating profusely and praying for the rituals to be
smooth and fast.

Anyways, after church, we proceeded home and had a great time sharing a wonderful
feast of native dishes and stories about each other. Deejay’s baptismal celebration is
another happy gathering for our growing family. It is the beginning of this miracle baby’s
spiritual growth. We, his family, will make sure Deejay grew up to keep his faith and
lead an exemplary Christian life.
Deejay with his parents and older
brother Andrei; below, with some
of the godparents
By Heidi M. Pascual

Baptism (or Christening) is the next big event after the birth of a child in the Christian – specifically
Catholic – tradition. In our family, the latest addition is a miracle baby, Deejay, whose conception
was extremely delicate and difficult as to require a number of hospital stays and months of bed rest
for his mother. Deejay’s successful full-term birth was therefore a big celebration to us as we
consider him a wonderful gift from heaven. His baptismal celebration recently -- coinciding with his
parents’ birthdays on July 17th  --  was therefore our way of thanking God for this gift of life.

The sacred sacrament of baptism in our parish church has not changed meaning and basic
procedures. Although it has been a while since I last participated or got involved in one, I knew in
my heart that baptism’s significance remains the same. Baptism welcomes a new member to the
Church of Christ, ensuring that as a new Christian and Catholic, the new member will have
accepted the faith with all his heart. Several symbols used in the ritual included lighted candles, oil,
water, and a white cloth. The child to be baptized is carried by one of his parents, and the
godparents surround the family.
Several children were baptized at Divine
Savior Parish Church on July 17th