Picture
Most of us have a vague memory of the events that took place on the day of our baptism.  It is only when we are older that we are able to create that memory in our heads through pictures. In the Christian tradition, baptism is a sacred right to passage. It is a way of welcoming new born children into the Christian world. It is also about responsibility.

In the Christian world, the way of baptism varies depending on what religion you are from. Catholics have different traditions of baptism from Protestants. The Protestant Church also has varying beliefs of baptism depending on the denomination. One example of this variation would be the Evangelical Protestant Church.

Evangelical Protestant Churches have two stages of baptism. They practice baptism on infants as a dedication, and when they arrive at a certain age where they are able to decide for themselves, they can decide whether to have another rite of baptism or not. If they decide to be baptized, they are then baptized by the Holy Spirit. They are submerged in the water as a process of purification. By this time, they are ready to uphold the responsibilities of being a Christian and live in the Word of Christ. But even though there are differences in baptismal beliefs, baptism has the same meaning for us. Baptism means that we are purified from our sins and we are united as one Christian Church.


Picture
In the tradition of baptism, the traditional baptismal wear will always be present. Baptismal robes are more than just clothes that are sewn together for people to wear, it represents something greater-- a symbol for the garments of light. The garments of light were worn by Adam and Eve before they were banished from the Garden of Eden for disobedience. It is an invisible garment of grace. The practice of wearing baptismal robes has been passed onto us by our ancestors. The wearing of baptismal robes has become an essential part of every baptismal ceremony by Christians. 

Nowadays, people can buy baptismal garments in malls or on the online market. As society has progressed, practical choices are available for us when it comes to the baptismal robe. We are given the freedom to choose if we’d rather rent one or buy one. I personally think that practicality is a good practice as a response to the increase of prices at the current market, but products with affordable prices sometimes sacrifice quality. Purchasing affordable items and taking their quality into consideration is a good way of practicing practicality. When you practice this, you are considered a smart buyer. When we are about to celebrate our baptismal ceremony, we want to purchase cheap baptismal clothing 
or wholesale baptismal clothing. We have certain qualifications when buying baptismal robes. We want to be at that place where affordability meets quality. There are a lot of shops that have products that meet your qualifications. So, affordable baptismal robes that do not sacrifice quality are not impossible to find.

I know most of us are thinking of just wearing simple wardrobes and are hesitant to wear baptismal robes because affordable ones are hard to find. I, myself, have also thought of this as a good way of avoiding expenses. But then, why should we stop years of wearing baptismal robes which has already become a tradition. Baptismal gatherings are not like any other gathering or celebration. It has a lot more weight to it because it celebrates your christening. It celebrates you as a Christian. Isn’t a celebration better if we are wearing something awesome? 

The price range for baptismal robes may vary depending on who is wearing the robe. And looking at these prices may cause us to disregard these products. But we could find affordable robes if we keep looking. We could open our horizons and travel deep into the market. I know it’s hard and time-consuming. But it will all be worth it when you find the shop and the price that suits you. So, will you be the person who fears taking risks and throws away years of tradition or will you be the person who takes on those risks and uphold years of tradition?

Either way, just make sure that you get the best baptismal robes you can get and enjoy your new life as a Christian!


 
Picture
Lately, I just attended my cousin’s baptism and I’ve come to realize how painstakingly draining it is to decide on what to prepare and wear for the day. I had to make sure I wasn’t overdressed, underdressed, or even liberal. There was just so much to consider even if I wasn’t the candidate up for baptism.

Knowing that now, based on personal experience, people tend to be greatly uncertain of the type of outfit to wear and things to get ready for certain occasions – with baptisms being no different – there should be some form of guide for such problems.

True, mandatory rules of the Church would require participants of the occasion to wear decent baptismal clothing for the sacramental practice, but what specifically would be the level of decency acceptable? On the other hand, there are also aspects to consider for getting completely ready for the event. But, worry not because I am here to help.

Here are some “Dos and Don’ts”  for the Sacrament of Baptism, whether you are the candidate or just simply an attendee.

Do familiarize yourself with dress codes for religious activities. Oftentimes, grooming guidelines for weddings, first communions, and other liturgical ceremonies flexibly applies to each other. Respect should be the first thing in mind when it comes to these kinds of occasions, so wear clothes you’d most likely wear proudly in front of God.

Don’t wear ordinary t-shirts, shorts, and / or miniskirts (for the women). What you wear to the mall or other places isn’t always how we’d call “presentable,” especially for the Church’s standards. Again, show some respect for the place, the people, and the sacrament. Wear something nice, comfy and covered. Wear a blouse or dress instead. It doesn’t even have to be white, unless you’re the one to be baptized.

Do keep it simple. Yes, we have to dress nice for the occasion but that doesn’t mean that the event requires extravagance. Simplicity is a virtue and probably the most beautiful addition to an attire. And c’mon, you don’t expect to go to a baptism looking like Lady Gaga only to get dunked in water, right? Besides being in line with dressing guidelines, you have to be practical and simple when it comes to your clothing choices.

Don’t disregard the bringing of extras. As a tradition, baptism would always equate to water since water symbolizes the washing of sins. This means that the candidate will get wet. Bringing towels to wipe off the wetness is a wise decision. Extra clothes might be needed for the candidates as well, and don’t forget the plastic bags for your wet things. Add the camera in there, too. After all, there’s nothing wrong with documenting special moments in our lives.

Do wear baptismal robes. The safest option you have are the robes for baptisms. Sometimes you can get them at local retailers or have them tailored, but sometimes the Church themselves provide these kinds of clothing – although, I’m not quite sure if they provide adult baptismal robes.

Don’t forget to ask the Church for advice. The best thing you can do is consult the Church. They can help you answer those concerns with ease since they know exactly all there is about the Blessed Sacrament. This is also the most important step when you are the guest of the occasion and you are unfamiliar of the Church’s practices.

Finally, do enjoy the day. What better way to celebrate a rebirth other than rejoicing and giving thanks? Baptism is a reverent day when a person has understood and accepted God into his / her life. At the end of the day, after all the hassle and bustle, all you can do is look back at everything and smile.


    Author

    Hi There! I am Matilda Cavillo and I am a 38 year old counselor and a mother of three beautiful angels. Being a mother is one of the best things that happened to me. The joy of having a new baby in the family is always unparalleled to any other feeling, and the more exciting it is to welcome a child to the Christian world! In my family, baptisms or christenings are a very special and joyous event and we love how every little angel looks good in dainty, pure baptism robes. Being a practical mother, I’d like to give pointers to other moms out there about cute baptism robes and baptism towels that are surely useful for every Christening. So feel free to browse around and leave a comment or two, you are always welcome to do so!

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Categories

    All

    Archives

    October 2013

      Contact form: