A Celebration of New Life: Remembering Our Baptism Day

Reflecting on the connection between Baptism and Easter, Tina Mayeux shares details of a Baptism anniversary celebration she held for her family members.

When our girls were young, we often celebrated their Baptism anniversaries with a special treat and remembrance of the day they received this sacrament. As they have become teenagers and young adults and we as a family have become immersed in busy schedules—rehearsals, social events, part-time jobs, and other pursuits—we, unfortunately, have lapsed in our practice of commemorating our Baptism anniversaries.

Reminded of this special remembrance by one of my Pre-K religious education students whose family was celebrating his “Baptism Birthday,” I aimed to reinstate this worthy celebration with a collective party for our children and family members, some of whom have Baptism anniversaries that happen to fall during the springtime. Because of the close connection between the Sacrament of Baptism and Easter, we decided to hold our Baptism anniversary celebration during the Easter festivities this year.

It is customary for catechumens to be received into the Church at Eastertime when they receive the Sacrament of Baptism along with the other Sacraments of Initiation. What is the connection between Baptism and the Easter celebration? The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) explains it as such:

In his Passover Christ opened to all men the fountain of Baptism. He had already spoken of his Passion, which he was about to suffer in Jerusalem, as a "Baptism" with which he had to be baptized. The blood and water that flowed from the pierced side of the crucified Jesus are types of Baptism and the Eucharist, the sacraments of new life. From then on, it is possible "to be born of water and the Spirit" in order to enter the Kingdom of God. (CCC 1225)

Having just celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday, we are reminded of the comforting image of Jesus touching his breast, gesturing for us to recognize and receive his great love and mercy, which are symbolized by the rays issuing forth from his Sacred Heart. The blood represents the gift of the Holy Eucharist, while the water symbolizes Baptism and its lifegiving effects.

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At the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Masses, we renew our baptismal promises, renouncing Satan and renewing our commitment of faith in the Triune God. The Catechism reminds us that in renewing these promises, we recognize that our faith must continue to grow and mature after receiving the sacrament:

Preparation for Baptism leads only to the threshold of new life. Baptism is the source of that new life in Christ from which the entire Christian life springs forth. (CCC 1254)

Remembering our Baptism Day each year is a profound reminder to each of us that we are called to continual conversion and deepening of our faith as we grow older.

Once we have our children baptized, our spiritual responsibility to them continues. Even as teens, our children need us to instruct, support, and guide them and encourage them to grow and mature in the Faith.

By its very nature infant Baptism requires a post-baptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after Baptism, but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth. (CCC 1231)

With this realization, we, as parents, should make every effort to nurture our children in the Faith and help them reach their potential as Catholic Christians.

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This Easter, as we enjoyed a special cake in remembrance of our Baptism anniversaries, our family was able to enjoy looking back over photos in special Baptism books that my mother put together for our children to remember that special day. Our children, and the adults present as well, were reminded of the abundant graces each of us received on that special day, including the forgiveness of original sin, becoming a “new creature” in Christ, and being incorporated into the Church, which is the Body of Christ, along with many other graces.

Remembering and celebrating your family’s Baptism anniversaries is a beautiful way to reflect on the importance of this sacrament and the effects it has produced in each member of the family. It can prompt us as parents to recall our duty and obligation to foster our children’s growth in the spiritual life so that we continue to teach and catechize them, even as they become teenagers and young adults. Through remembering our Baptism, we are encouraged to support one another on our earthly journey toward union with Christ and heaven.

Some ideas for holding a Baptism anniversary celebration include:

Inviting godparents to attend the celebration
Having a cake or special dessert
Lighting the Baptism candles (if you have them), or, if you would prefer to keep them intact, purchase a special Baptism remembrance candle to light each time you celebrate a Baptism anniversary
Bringing out pictures or a photo album containing photos of the Baptism
Renewing baptismal promises at the celebration

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