Rejoicing in baptism anniversaries

By Leslie Bertucci, NOLA Catholic Parenting

There is more to us than meets the eye. We are more than just flesh and blood; we are soul and spirit. So, the day we become part of the body of Christ through the sacrament of baptism is just as important as the day we are born.

Maybe more so.

Baptism anniversaries have always been a big deal in our family. When my children were growing up, I made it a point to celebrate each of these days with a special dinner or dessert or outing to impress upon them what a joyful thing it is to become a child of God.

Each of our children was baptized on a special, memorable day that God, in his wisdom, chose as a prophetic foreshadowing of the person each child would become.

For instance, my son James, who was one of the sweetest, most lovable toddlers you could ever meet, was baptized on Valentine’s Day. Today, he’s a lovable 26-year-old businessman, known for his generosity and compassionate heart.

Our son John was baptized nearly 30 years ago on Nov. 25, which always falls right around Thanksgiving. John lives his life as an act of thanksgiving as he uses his God-given skills to produce music that gives glory to God, while also providing a living for himself and his wife.

Our son Josh was baptized on April 21, which is the feast of St. Anselm. We are members of St. Anselm Church in Madisonville. When Josh was baptized there 23 years ago, we asked for the intercession of this wise saint, who is often remembered for his motto, “Faith seeking understanding.” Today Josh is a self-taught student of philosophy and theology, who currently produces an apologetics podcast called “Without Apology.”

Thank you, St. Anselm, for your ongoing intercession for our son!

And thank you, Lord, for the wonderful plans you have for our children, so much better than we could ever have imagined.

Leslie Bertucci is a native New Orleanian who attended St. Mary’s Dominican High School and Loyola University. She has been married to Johnny Bertucci since 1985, and they have five children, ages 31 to 14, and two grandchildren. Leslie homeschooled her oldest four children through 12th grade; her youngest son is a freshman at Archbishop Hannan High School. Since 1982, God has led Leslie into the ministries of catechist, youth minister, retreat leader, homeschool teacher, conference speaker, choir director and worship leader. She and Johnny founded the Sanctifire Youth Group at their home parish of St. Anselm in Madisonville in 2000. She currently leads the NoLoudRocks Worship Band, which includes two of her sons. Leslie does her best to live by the motto: “Just show up, just say yes, God will take care of the rest.”