Luca

Today I was blessed to see my little cousin Luca be baptized/have his christening at St. Rocco Catholic Parish in Avondale. http://www.stroccochurch.org/   Luca's mother, my cousin, is an interior designer who helped design this church. How special is it that all these years later she had her first child christened here!

It was a beautiful ceremony and I love all the symbolism to faith and life that these services hold. Whether you're Catholic or Protestant, the "baby dedication" "baptism" "christening" or whatever your church calls it,  is a sacred time to dedicate your child to the upbringing of your faith. Because I don't know all the symbolic steps I am not going to share them because I don't want to misrepresent the beauty of this service.

700 years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah the prophet told of a people walking in darkness seeing a great light.  (Isaiah 9:1).  Jesus announces to us that he is “the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8:12) 
At Easter, the Paschal candle is lit as a sign of the risen life of Christ.  This life is stronger than death.  It cannot be put out but shines brightly in the world as a sign of hope and of the strength of love.  At baptism, a small candle for each child is lit from the Paschal candle. The priest says, “Receive the light of Christ.”  Parents are instructed to keep the light burning brightly and the flame of faith alive in their child’s heart. 

(http://htlenexa.org/signs-symbols-of-baptism)

Sweet Luca

His parents

Grandparents

Godparents

Cousins

Other loved ones

The reception

"One tiny hand to guide and hold,

One tiny life to shape and mold;
each child, a gift from God above,
a symbol of His strength and love."
- Author Unknown
"Let the little children come unto Me, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Luke 18:16