Baptism

I had the distinct pleasure of seeing my second newest cousin (a precious little boy, two or so months old now, has that distinction) be baptised, confirmed, and chrysmated.

The name her parents chose is Agatha. I don't quite know how to translate the word into English; it connotes goodness, kindness, and communion with the divine. It is a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl.

It's so wonderful to see a child after baptism. I've always had a soft spot for little ones, but there's something even more wonderful about a child who's just experienced her first sacrament. The Holy Spirit's glow is blinding. Every smile causes one's heart to skip a beat.

The reception afterwards was equally joyous. I am fortunate enough to have many young cousins, with many more on the way in the next few years I'm sure. They're all such wonderful children. To see them tottering around, gripping their mothers with such love complete trust...What is there one can say? Such life, free of all staleness and decay. Like the Virgin's embrace of the Christ child, each mother's embrace of her children is timeless and a glimpse of Heaven Itself.

I realize that babies are almost little sacraments unto themselves. I remember the parents of some of these children from a few years ago, how the health of the soul was the least important thing on their minds. To be a parent is to be handed something purer than the driven snow and warmer than the cozies fire. These men and women, parents now, are suddenly anxious to have their children baptized and to protect their little ones not only from bumps and bruises but the ugliness that so many poor souls fall into. It's as if, with the birth of their children, the scales began to drop from their eyes and they began to realize that there's something more to the world than the world.

Clumsy words, all of these. Hold your children, nieces, nephews, and cousins close. Pray for them constantly. Though man can't see God's Face, perhaps we come close when we see children smile.

Father, have mercy on all children. Help them to hold fast the seal of their baptism and shine throughout their lives in Your Grace. Mother Mary, pray and protect these, your children, always. Saint Styliano, patron of these little ones, smile and pray over them. Please heed my prayers not for me, but for their sakes.