Honest Sacrament
Friends -
As most of you already know, I have a new grandson
named Benjamin Roberto, born last July. We are
all very happy about him and their parents are
planning to have his formal baptism ceremony
perhaps next year in Guanajuato, Mexico. It will
be great, but the length of time between birth
and potential baptism posed a problem that my
Mom (being the good Catholic that she is) was
determined to remedy. So last August, when he
was not quite two months old, my Mom and some
of the rest of us made the trek to Oregon, where
my daughter Rosa, Gonzalo and Benjamin live.
Of course, Mom brought some holy water and her
knowledge of appropriate baptismal prayers as
well.
So, one hot day in August, we had a post-birth
baby shower, a piñata, some games, and
a BBQ feast. At the end of the day, we all crowded
into a small room, sitting on counters and standing
on the commode, while my Mom performed the Sacrament
of Baptism on Benjamin over the bathroom sink.
Now, my Mom can relax, and Rosa and Gonzalo can
take their time to have the larger-scale celebration
in Guanajuato.
From my perspective, this was the finest baptism
I have ever attended, if nothing else because
of the honesty of the intent. I have been to
huge baptisms that are beautiful. Everyone wears
their finest clothing and there is much pomp
and circumstance. The baby (and the whole family)
suffers through uncomfortable formality of while
silk and ruffles, sermons and incense, before
the action is completed. It can seem that the
emphasis is on the fancy clothes, food and flair,
and the purpose of the event is secondary. Often,
few people show up at the Church, while everybody
shows up at the party.
In this one that we had for Benjamin there was
none of that fluff. It was happy, casual, warm
and honest. He was able to be blessed in the
comfort of his pajamas in a ceremony that was
pure in intent. Thanks to my Mom for making this
happen.
The Honest Sacrament is a nice gourd about 12
inches tall, which I will sell for a donation
to UNICEF, MORE, or a nonprofit organization
of your choice (as long as it serves human rights,
human health, or the protection of the environment).
Margie Lopez Read
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