Catholic Activity: Practical Suggestions for Christian Living (Baptism)
Ways to increase your child's awareness of the significance of his Baptism, and to give him a knowledge of his patron saint.
DIRECTIONS
- Have Catholic birth announcements.
- Keep baptismal robe, candle holder and candle for the child as keepsake.
- Give a silver cup to the child as a baptismal gift with name of child, date of Baptism, and the Church's name engraved.
- Keep baptismal certificate framed.
- Hang a picture of patron saint in the child's room.
- Renew baptismal vows daily at a definite time in the family prayers. This form could be used: I renounce Satan with all his works and pomps and I pledge myself to Jesus Christ forever.
- The child should know the name of the priest who baptized him because he is one of its greatest benefactors. Encourage the child in the home to pray occasionally for the priest who made it a child of God.
- Celebrate the anniversary of the Baptism in the home. Invite the sponsors and have them renew the baptismal promises with the child.
- When younger sister or brother is baptized, the family should attend the ceremony and have copies of the ritual of Baptism so that they can follow the ceremony with intelligence, interest, and devotion.
- Encourage the child in the home to pray to his patron saint.
- Give the child a life of his patron saint, suitable to his age, as a birthday gift, and repeat this gift as the child grows older.
- Celebrate the baptismal anniversary by receiving Holy Communion in thanksgiving to God for the grace of Baptism. Sponsors or parents could attend Mass and receive Holy Communion with the child.
Activity Source: Our Christian Home by Rev. Joseph A. Fischer, Seraphic Press, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1954
