of the corner of my eye. The breeze was blowing along some leaves, pushing them to a spot in the corner where other leaves and trash were piled high by the wind. Back then my eyes were sharp, but I did not want to believe what I was seeing. I found myself staring at a small, still hand.
“Without thinking—perhaps afraid to think—I sprinted to the little one’s side. I swept away the leaves and debris, and feared I was too late. The baby wasn’t moving, and his skin had a bluish hue. I lifted the babe up and felt how cold his body was, but even as I despaired that I had come too late, my prayers were answered, for I saw him take the slightest of breaths.
“I tucked the naked baby into the folds of my robes and took off running as fast as I dared. On that morn it felt as if I sprouted wings, for the ground seemed to fly by under me. I rubbed the baby’s arms and legs as I ran, but he did not respond and made no sounds.
“I raced in through the side entrance of the church, and when I appeared to the congregation I am sure that I looked every inch a madman, what with my bulging eyes, heaving chest, and torn clothing. I hurried through the sanctuary, pausing only for a moment to genuflect, and then ran through the nave. The organist stifled a scream and stopped her playing, and the congregation stood up to get a look at what I was carrying, but I didn’t take notice of any of that.
“I made it to the front of the church and tried to remember what to do. I had only assisted in baptisms, and for a moment I froze before gathering my wits. I could not have this baby die before receiving the First Sacrament, and I was sure his young life hung in the balance.
“I reached into the baptismal font, and my hands were trembling so much that I spilled more holy water on the ground than I did the baby’s head. Three times did I make the sign of the cross, giving unto the newborn both name and blessing: ‘I christen thee Michael in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit.’
“Around me I heard a chorus of ‘Amen’ and only then noticed that the entire congregation had followed me to the baptismal font. Their presence and encouragement reassured me, and the words of the First Sacrament came a little easier: ‘I christen you that you may know the pure and holy spirit of God, your eternal source of faith.’
“I felt a weight lifted off of me then, for I could see that the baby was still breathing. It also seemed to me that he did not look quite as blue. Because I had rushed through the administration of the First Sacrament, I decided to offer a Whispered Verse of Assurance, and for Michael’s ears alone did I murmur a verse from the Bible.
“When I finished, I glanced around at all the curious faces. Everyone was looking at this baby with wonder and awe. I thought to conclude the baptism with an economy of words so that we could get Michael medical care as soon as possible, and so I raised him up with both my hands and offered him to God, saying, ‘We pray for the care and protection of Michael in body and soul. We surrender him to your hands. Please, Dear Heavenly Father, bind your angels to bless and attend him always. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.’
“I am not sure if Michael responded to the holy water dripping down his face, or the way the audience was enthusiastically calling out ‘Amen.’ Maybe he was just warming up, or maybe Michaelwas reacting to being lifted into the air. It’s even possible Michael was offering his own commentary on my baptismal efforts. All I know is that he was not the only one sprinkled that day. Suddenly, a stream fell down upon my head; with devastating aim Michael relieved himself upon me.
“There might have been one or two that tried to refrain from laughing, but their good intentions were quickly lost. All of us broke down laughing, and I laughed the loudest of all. I took that little boy’s
“Without thinking—perhaps afraid to think—I sprinted to the little one’s side. I swept away the leaves and debris, and feared I was too late. The baby wasn’t moving, and his skin had a bluish hue. I lifted the babe up and felt how cold his body was, but even as I despaired that I had come too late, my prayers were answered, for I saw him take the slightest of breaths.
“I tucked the naked baby into the folds of my robes and took off running as fast as I dared. On that morn it felt as if I sprouted wings, for the ground seemed to fly by under me. I rubbed the baby’s arms and legs as I ran, but he did not respond and made no sounds.
“I raced in through the side entrance of the church, and when I appeared to the congregation I am sure that I looked every inch a madman, what with my bulging eyes, heaving chest, and torn clothing. I hurried through the sanctuary, pausing only for a moment to genuflect, and then ran through the nave. The organist stifled a scream and stopped her playing, and the congregation stood up to get a look at what I was carrying, but I didn’t take notice of any of that.
“I made it to the front of the church and tried to remember what to do. I had only assisted in baptisms, and for a moment I froze before gathering my wits. I could not have this baby die before receiving the First Sacrament, and I was sure his young life hung in the balance.
“I reached into the baptismal font, and my hands were trembling so much that I spilled more holy water on the ground than I did the baby’s head. Three times did I make the sign of the cross, giving unto the newborn both name and blessing: ‘I christen thee Michael in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit.’
“Around me I heard a chorus of ‘Amen’ and only then noticed that the entire congregation had followed me to the baptismal font. Their presence and encouragement reassured me, and the words of the First Sacrament came a little easier: ‘I christen you that you may know the pure and holy spirit of God, your eternal source of faith.’
“I felt a weight lifted off of me then, for I could see that the baby was still breathing. It also seemed to me that he did not look quite as blue. Because I had rushed through the administration of the First Sacrament, I decided to offer a Whispered Verse of Assurance, and for Michael’s ears alone did I murmur a verse from the Bible.
“When I finished, I glanced around at all the curious faces. Everyone was looking at this baby with wonder and awe. I thought to conclude the baptism with an economy of words so that we could get Michael medical care as soon as possible, and so I raised him up with both my hands and offered him to God, saying, ‘We pray for the care and protection of Michael in body and soul. We surrender him to your hands. Please, Dear Heavenly Father, bind your angels to bless and attend him always. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.’
“I am not sure if Michael responded to the holy water dripping down his face, or the way the audience was enthusiastically calling out ‘Amen.’ Maybe he was just warming up, or maybe Michaelwas reacting to being lifted into the air. It’s even possible Michael was offering his own commentary on my baptismal efforts. All I know is that he was not the only one sprinkled that day. Suddenly, a stream fell down upon my head; with devastating aim Michael relieved himself upon me.
“There might have been one or two that tried to refrain from laughing, but their good intentions were quickly lost. All of us broke down laughing, and I laughed the loudest of all. I took that little boy’s
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