Stumbling Upon a Baptism in Mexico

Last week Tom and I had a rare opportunity to travel to the beaches of the Southern Baja Peninsula. We were stunned by its beauty. Why is the world so beautiful? What is the purpose of its beauty? The sea and the sky are so blue, the flowers so colorful, the rocks so massive that they constantly change in appearance as they catch the sun’s rays moving over them. This beauty helps me appreciate the magnitude of God’s creative majesty.

On to the post. On Sunday while in Mexico, we wanted to go to Mass. Where to go? Maps identified a couple of churches in the area that we could walk or Uber to. When I asked at the hotel about the church in the neighborhood, we were told that we shouldn’t go there, because the neighborhood might not be the “best.” He suggested another church that they tell tourists to attend. Well, that didn’t sit well with me. Why did he say it wasn’t the “best” neighborhood? Was it because it was a different economic class or was it truly unsafe? So, I virtually walked the route on Maps and determined that it was a simple, humble neighborhood, and that’s where we went.

When we lived in Monterrey, Mexico for three years, our family became familiar and comfortable living among the nationals, in their neighborhood, and we felt a kinship with them. My husband can attest to the generous, hard working people he encountered at his job. I didn’t want to go the tourist church. I wanted to worship with the locals.

I’m so glad we did. This church is the Rectoria del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus. Translated: Rectory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It’s a little neighborhood church with wide open doors, no air conditioning, simple wooden pews and hand held microphones. It had an interesting and thoughtful depiction of the resurrection of Christ behind the altar and plenty of Easter flowers.

Best of all, we witnessed the baptism of a sweet little baby girl named Luisa. All of our children were baptized during a weekend Mass. This is the way our pastor preferred to do baptisms, so that the entire community could witness the baptism and welcome its new member.

Jesus called for unity in the church. Do you remember learning that you can go anywhere in the world and the Mass is the same? It’s true! Not only could we follow along with the Mass and homily (with our somewhat limited Spanish skills) but this child’s baptism had all of the same elements as any baptism I have witnessed, including lighting a candle from the Easter candle, the white garment, anointing with chrism, and using a shell to pour water over the child’s head three times as the essential rite is stated, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

The family was so happy. I wish I could show you a picture but that wouldn’t be respectful of their privacy on social media. Perhaps you can find a baptism to attend and let your familial Catholic spirit be renewed, too?

In hope,

Peggy