Chapter Four
Water of Baptism and the Light of Christ
Annie ducked past her uncles and aunts, and stood as close to the font as she dared.
Still a little too short, she was unable to see as much as she would have liked.
Father poured water over Trudy's forehead, saying "Gertrude Mary, I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Trudy wailed indignantly and the people looked from her to each other smiled - all except Mrs Benson, who looked as if she were silently dissociating herself from the proceedings.
Afterwards, Father prayed: "As Christ was anointed priest, prophet and king, so may you live always as a member of His Church, sharing everlasting life."
In silence he anointed Trudy.
He then placed a white garment over her shoulder, saying: "Gertrude Mary, you have become a new creation and have clothed yourself in Christ.
See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity.
With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven."
There and then Annie resolved to do all in her power to help her little sister to become as good as gold, to teach her to say her prayers and at all times to set her an excellent example.
She wanted her to grow up to become a smiling lady one day, like Mrs Smith and her two grandmothers, not bitter, twisted and sour like Mrs Benson, who was standing a little away from the others, looking as though she had just been drinking vinegar.
Seeing her like that, Annie decided to double up on her prayers for the old housekeeper and her son, wherever he might be living.
She looked away from Mrs Benson and back towards her parish priest.
Turning to Dad and Mother, Father Tom held out the burning Easter candle to them, saying: "Receive the Light of Christ."
Dad and Mother lit a small candle from the big one and held it in their hands, while the priest added: "Parents and godparents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly.
This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ.
She is to walk always as a child of the Light.
May she keep the flame of faith alive in her heart.
When the Lord comes, may she go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom."
Touching the baby's ears and mouth with his thumb, he said: "The Lord Jesus made the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak.
May He soon touch your ears to receive His Words and your mouth to proclaim His Faith to the praise and glory of God the Father."
The family followed the priest from the font to the foot of the altar where, together, they recited the Our Father.
Mother took her newly baptised infant back from its godmother, while Father Tom said: "God the Father, through His Son, the Virgin Mary's Child, has brought joy to all Christian mothers, as they see the hope of eternal life shine on their children.
May He bless the mother of this child.
She now thanks God for the gift of her child.
May she be one with her in thanking Him forever in heaven, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen."
Soon the ceremony was over and the family went outside.
Annie was quiet.
A wonderful miracle had taken place, she thought.
Then a further miracle occurred.
Mrs Benson's face looked softer.
She gave Annie an unexpectedly heartwarming smile that would remain indelibly printed in Annie's mind as one of the nicest parts of Trudy's baptism.
She thought: "Maybe Mother was right after all when she told us that Mrs Benson has a kind heart in spite of her cross face."
Note for parents and catachetical teachers;
There is only one God - the God Who is the Creator, Who incarnated in human form as Jesus, and Whose Power works throughout our universe,
In the Old Testament (the Holy Torah) the Hebrew word for the Spirit of God is רוח אלוהים
Ruah, or Ru-ach
It signifies breath or spirit or the Holy Spirit of God
The Spirit of God IS God Himself.
So the Christian formula of baptism, invoking God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in reality invokes One True God.
There is only One God, and no other.
Photograph taken by Catherine Nicolette - for use copyright free
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