I truly regret not bringing my camera to last week's Baptism. In such a small parish, the celebration of Baptism is private and by invitation, though most families welcome visitors to this glorious event. This is the only photo I have found and it is of the procession at the conclusion of the rite.
Do you see that small boy carrying a candle? His name is Daniel. He is the 2nd child born to these parents. Their first child, Michael, was born with multiple, undiagnosed birth defects. The parents went to extraordinary lengths to save Michael's life. After 9 months of procedures in one of the best hospitals, the medical staff sent them to Boston Children's Hospital. There, he underwent 14 hours of surgery after which a team of the best pediatric physicians in the nation told the parents that "everything known to modern medicine" had been done and there was no way to save the child's life. They called our pastor who immediately drove to Boston to be at their side and administer the Last Rites. Michael was placed in the arms of his mother and the life support machines were turned off. He passed away in total peace in the loving embrace of his mom.
At his funeral, a young woman, dressed in black, began the procession, carrying a large, framed photo of Michael. The parents followed the coffin and the mother grasped her husband's arm each time her legs gave out. This was a tremendous test of faith. However, one year later, Daniel was born. And, the following year, their daughter, Joelle was born, one day shy of Daniel's birthday. Two year later, Gabriel, the baby baptized last Sunday, entered this world.
Daniel will be entering Kindergarten this year. He is a truly remarkable child. At age two, during the post liturgy coffee hour, his mother noticed he was missing. But then she turned her head and saw Daniel, peacefully asleep in front of the altar. At age 4, Daniel asked the pastor if he could serve as an altar boy. Another priest might have said "no". But our pastor chose to acknowledge his request. Being short of stature, his grandmother fashioned a surplice to fit Daniel. This year, at the conclusion of Pre-K, someone asked Daniel what he wanted to be when he grew up. His response: a priest!
At last Sunday's baptism and chrismation for his new brother, Daniel tugged on the priest's robe and asked if he could sing a hymn taught by his mother. The priest acknowledged his request and outfitted him with a microphone. After the procession, with his mother carrying an icon of the Blessed Mother, Daniel stood tall and proud before all the congregation and sang a Maronite hymn in Arabic. The translation goes something like this: "We learn from God how to live our lives. Teach me Lord". At a certain point he hesitated and the entire congregation took up the refrain, encouraging the young child to continue.
I don't know how else to convey the beauty of such a personalized celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism. The children have all been given biblical names. The parents place faith above all material wealth. Their first child, Michael, has now been memorialized though an annual scholarship for parish children. Also note in this photo that the mother is carrying an icon of the Blessed Mother. For me, it was a flashback moment to their son :Michael's funeral. God has blessed and rewarded these young parent for enduring the ultimate test - the loss of a child.