THE JOY OF THE NEWLY BAPTISED ON EASTER NIGHT AT NEWMAN HOUSE

We had such a beautiful celebration of the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening, when four of our students were baptised at the University Chaplaincy. It is such a witness to their journey of faith and to the many students who have inspired and supported them over these months.

We used the “almost full-immersion” method of baptism: they kneel in the baptismal pool and have gallons of water poured over them, drenching their whole being. Their baptismal garments are not mere symbols; they actually need them because they don’t have any dry clothes left! They were told to wear their garments wherever they go for the next 30 days, and it was a joy to see one of the neophytes walking up Gower Street the next morning on her way to the Northern Line proudly wearing her baptismal robes. What a brave and wonderful witness!

Please pray for the four newly baptised and their families: you can see them here standing round our makeshift baptismal pool with Fr Stephen and visiting priest Fr Charlie Fox from Detroit; and standing before the altar with their sponsors; and the other photo is of the very important post-liturgical party…We owe a huge debt of gratitude to everyone who helped to make our celebration of Holy Week and of the Triduum so beautiful.