A few weeks after Chiara was born, people were asking, "Kailan ang binyag?" (When's the baptism?) I just responded, "Pinaghahandaan na." (It's being sorted out.).
We were planning for a baptism in early Spring (March or April) as the weather in November to February won't be that favourable especially for the baby. But we later agreed to have it in December as we really wanted Chiara to be baptized before the year ends. December is also a memorable month for Nidz and I since we tied the knot on this month years ago. We checked the calendar to see what's the nearest Sunday to the 18th (our wedding anniversary) and we found the 21st as the prospect date.
I got in touch with Fr Paul Newman, our Parish Priest, who was very kind, accommodating, and supportive to us. The 21st was OK in his calendar. He gave me a form to complete and set a date for him to visit us at home to orient us on the ceremony. We felt really honoured to have him as a visitor!
We contacted family and friends to invite them to be Chiara's godparents and they all accepted. In the following weeks invitations were sent out to them and to other acquaintances. Other items such as catering, baby's attire, and the like were all put into place.
A month was reduced into weeks and weeks turned out to be days. It was Chiara's Big Day! The weather looked fine; it wasn't cloudy nor windy. The sun turned up (like it did when our daughter was born)! The 21st is actually the shortest day of the year (Winter Solstice), but in 2008 it wasn't!
We arrived at the Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish Church a few minutes before 12 noon, the time for the baptism. The atmosphere was very solemn. There were a few familiar faces who turned up for the event. Fr Paul welcomed us all, most especially Chiara and guided us throughout the ceremony, explaining the use and significance of oil and water and the sign of the Cross. It was a very informal gathering which made each of us feel really special, Chiara in particular. The Godparents also took an active role in the ceremony - Kaye Lagman read the Bidding Prayers, Joel Briones wiped Chiara's head after water was poured onto it, Jona Estioso wrapped Chiara with the white shawl, and Ronald Abrera received the lighted baptismal candle.
The priest explained that being a baptised Christian is being called to love just as the saints did, just as Jesus did. During the invocation of the saints, Father included two saints from Assisi, Italy - Saints Clare and Francis - Chiara's namesake. Chiara (pronounced as Kya-ra)is Italian equivalent of Clare and means 'clear' or 'bright'. Francesca (pronounced as Fran-ches-ka), her second name, is Italian equivalent of Frances. Nowadays we all need to be clear with our purpose and mission in life like St Clare. We also need to be agents of peace like St Francis who once prayed to God to make him an instrument of His peace. I hope and pray we parents and godparents would be good examples of these to Chiara so she could do the same to others.
There's actually a 'Franciscan' reason behind our daughter's name. Almost five years ago, one of the parishioners who warmly welcomed us to Our Lady's was Sr Margaret, a Poor Clare sister whose monastery is attached to the church. We did not meet them then physically, only by e-mail but that meant a lot for Nidz and me. From then on we developed a relationship with the sisters. As their congregration suggests, St Clare was their foundress and St Francis was the founder of the Franciscan order; the umbrella organization where the Poor Clare sisters belong. (Incidentally, St Francis's dad was named Pietro...)
After the ceremony (and a number of photo shots at the beautiful altar) we had a sumptuous lunch of various Filipino dishes at home. Colleagues from the parish as well as friends and neighbours came to share in the celebration.
I'm very glad that during our child's first Christmas we gave her the best gift any parent could offer: being a Christian. I'm grateful for everyone who supported us throughout the process. They have been the helping hands we could rely on.
Our parents have once brought us along in their journey of faith through baptism. It's now our turn to do so with our own daughter.
