Today our Leo was baptized. It was so beautiful. I wish everyone could've been there!
We chose our friends Erin and Michael McFarland as Godparents. We know Erin and Mike from our church. Erin and I were pregnant at the same time. She was due on September 15th, and I was due on September 16th! Erin actually went into labor on her due date, and I went into labor 9 days past my due date...so Erin and Mike's baby Benjamin is 10 days older than our Leo.
Ben (my husband Ben) was also baptized in this chapel. Leo is also wearing the same baptismal gown that Ben wore, Ben's father wore, and Ben's grandfather wore! Isn't that amazing?
Father Marc Crilly, the Benedictine priest who married Ben and I (he has known Ben since he was a boy), officiated the baptismal ceremony. He prepared a beautiful homily especially for Leo. During his homily, Fr. Marc said jokingly that since Leo had three popes names (Leo + Benedict + Urban), he couldn't wait to hear what Leo would choose for a confirmation name when he is older! We're betting on 'Innocent' or perhaps 'Pius.' (laugh)
After the baptism, we changed Leo into a cute outfit that was given to him by our friends in Atlanta, Katherine and Chris Lauer. Doesn't he look adorable?
Immediately following Leo's baptism, we hosted a catered reception in one of the dining rooms at the Abbey which overlooks Mount Wachusett . It was a beautiful Fall day, and many of our visitors from Boston appreciated being able to go for a scenic stroll in Apple Country at the peak of the season. Here is a picture of the monastery grounds at the Abbey in Still River. Aren't we blessed to be surrounded by such beauty?
Below is a video of Fr. Marc's eloquent homily:
Here is the footage of the actual baptism:
Immediately after the baptism, Fr. Marc took Leo and placed him on the altar, offering him up to God. This is a tradition that was done in the early Church for the birth of a firstborn son. Ben's aunt, Sr. Margaret Mary, was able to snap a shot. Ben and I were too busy crying to take pictures!
And Jimbo got some good footage on our camcorder!
Here's what people had to say immediately after the baptism:
After the baptism, we changed Leo into a cute outfit that was given to him by our friends in Atlanta, Katherine and Chris Lauer. Doesn't he look adorable?
Immediately following Leo's baptism, we hosted a catered reception in one of the dining rooms at the Abbey which overlooks Mount Wachusett . It was a beautiful Fall day, and many of our visitors from Boston appreciated being able to go for a scenic stroll in Apple Country at the peak of the season. Here is a picture of the monastery grounds at the Abbey in Still River. Aren't we blessed to be surrounded by such beauty?
May God bless Leo Benedict Urban, and may God give us the grace we need as parents to raise a fine young man.
*Even though the videos were uploaded through YouTube, they are entirely private and cannot be viewed by the public.
1 comment:
When 12-month-old John heard me watching the video of the homily, he began pointing with excitement and toddled over to me, climbed in my lap, and watched while laughing the whole time.
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