Remembering the Importance of our Baptism

St. Anthony of Padua Church in Rockford, Illinois

Conventual Franciscan Friar John P. Grigus is the associate pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Rockford, Illinois. In a recent parish bulletin, Friar John reminded his community that their Baptism is an incredible gift that most Christians rarely think about. Without Baptism, we would be adrift and grappling in the darkness. During times of crisis, we’d become overwhelmed by despair.

Inside the St. Anthony of Padua Church

Our parents or guardians – people who loved us deeply right from the start – took it upon themselves to baptize us when we were very young; they moved us into a world in which the presence of God is felt every day; God’s presence reminds us that life is eternal too.

The Baptism of Jesus

The problem today - Friar John points out - is that many Christians do not take their Baptism seriously. They were baptized themselves and had their children baptized too; they have however stopped attending Mass and really participating in the community life of a parish. This apathy damages one’s spiritual sense of self and makes dealing with day to day existence more difficult than usual.

(Sources of related images on webpage and homepage: www.stanthonyrockford.com, www.logoi.com, and www.wikipedia.org.)