Raised in the Faith
"John answered them all, saying, 'I am baptizing you with water.'" (Luke 3:16)
"John answered them all, saying, 'I am baptizing you with water.'" (Luke 3:16)
I wonder what my life would be like if my Mom and Dad hadn’t asked the priest to baptize me or never attended Mass after baptism– maybe only on occasion at a funeral or Christmas and Easter.
How different my life would be! I would not know Blessed Antonio Rosmini and be a member of The Institute of Charity. I wouldn’t be a priest and have a vocation to serve you. I wouldn’t even be here if Mom and Dad didn’t bring me up in the faith and the practice of the faith. Sure, it may have happened another way, but who knows?
After His baptism, Jesus went into the desert to be with his Father. This teaches me that our faith is a relationship with God and each other. My mom and dad had a relationship with Jesus and made sure that they did everything so I would have a relationship with Him, too.
Mom and Dad in heaven, the most incredible thing you did for me was bringing me to be baptized and ensuring I have a relationship with Jesus in the Catholic Church. Our family attended Mass every Sunday and had a big meal afterward. That brought the Last Supper meal in church to my family’s meal at home into one. It strengthened our relationship with each other and God. Thank you, Mom and Dad, and please, God, I will be with you one day in heaven.
What would you say to Jesus about your Baptism?
Dear Mother Mary and St. Joseph, inspire all parents to baptize and raise their children in the Catholic Faith with a strong relationship with Jesus. Amen.
Father Rick Pilger, I.C. was born in Canton, Illinois, the third of four children. He attended St. John’s Seminary in Wonersh, England, and was ordained in 1979. Fr. Rick is a member of the religious order, Institute of Charity, founded by Blessed Antonio Rosmini. He has served parishes in Galesburg, IL., Bradenton, FL., and now in Seminole, FL. as a Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Father Rick’s greatest passion is sharing God’s good Word and celebrating the Sacraments with His people.
