Advice on Catholic Baby Present and Non-Catholic Mother

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Maria1212

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Dear CAF,

My brother and his wife just had their first baby. They had a beautiful baby boy. My brother is Catholic, and while he doesnt practice our faith, he still believes it in his heart. His wife is not Catholic and was raised as a lukewarm Protestant and isnt a fan of organized religion.

My brother and I still talk about our faith from time to time. I would like to get a hand-made rosary for the baby and also one for my brother. I am hoping this might encourage my brother to practice his faith and teach this to his baby. Should I also get a rosary for his wife so she wont feel left out? I dont know that she would be very receptive to me even giving their baby a rosary so part of me was thinking I should just get one for my brother and his baby, and let my brother decide if he wants to even tell his wife.

The rosaries are expensive but I thought it would be a nice keepsake. I already gave them a regular baby present but really want to give something that will encourage my brother to practice our faith. I think the reason he doesnt go to church is because of his wife and he doesnt want her to feel excluded.

Please let me know if you think it is best to also give her a rosary. And prayers for all would be most appreciated.

Sincerely,

Maria1212
 
Maria I think just from a practical standpoint, I’d go ahead and give your brother a rosary, but seeing as how the baby’s will just get out in a drawer until he’s much older, how about something that is more baby geared, but would also be a reminder to your brother?

I’m thinking, something like a framed picture of the baby’s patron saint, or a guardian angel picture, how about a baby crucifix or cross, or even a holy water font for the baby’s room?

As for giving the mom something, since she is not Catholic I don’t know if she’d appreciate a rosary as much as she would something geared for mothers specifically. How about a book about a mother Saint? I’m thinking St. Gianna or Blessed Zelie martin?

Those are just off the top of my head thoughts…in any case it’s very sweet of you to think of all three of them:)

ETA: I just rememberd the Ten commandments for mothers, look here

catholiccompany.com/catholic-gifts/2022784/Ten-Commandments-Mothers/?category=220 it’s not Catholic specific.

Or, there are charm bracelet medals and chain pendants that are new mother themed. That might be nice too…
 
shannyk said:
Maria I think just from a practical standpoint, I’d go ahead and give your brother a rosary, but seeing as how the baby’s will just get out in a drawer until he’s much older, how about something that is more baby geared, but would also be a reminder to your brother?

I’m thinking, something like a framed picture of the baby’s patron saint, or a guardian angel picture, how about a baby crucifix or cross, or even a holy water font for the baby’s room?

As for giving the mom something, since she is not Catholic I don’t know if she’d appreciate a rosary as much as she would something geared for mothers specifically. How about a book about a mother Saint? I’m thinking St. Gianna or Blessed Zelie martin?

Those are just off the top of my head thoughts…in any case it’s very sweet of you to think of all three of them:)

ETA: I just rememberd the Ten commandments for mothers, look here

catholiccompany.com/catholic-gifts/2022784/Ten-Commandments-Mothers/?category=220 it’s not Catholic specific.

Or, there are charm bracelet medals and chain pendants that are new mother themed. That might be nice too…
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Thanks for the great suggestions. You are right about holding off on getting the baby a rosary until later. I am not sure how the Mom/my brother`s wife will feel about something that hangs on the wall though. I had been thinking about a baby crucifix but am not sure if she would let my brother hang it up or not. I guess it is the thought that counts.

Thanks for the great suggestions! I thought about asking my brother what he thought first but part of me wanted to surprise him.

Sincerely,

Maria1212
 
I don’t see anything wrong with buying a rosary for the baby, but make it a private gift for your brother along with the one for him. He can keep for a later time. You don’t evenhave to mention it to mom. If the mom is at least minimally Christian, give the baby one of those children’s crosses - not a crucifix - to hang on the wall; the ones that have the figure of a child kneeling in prayer attached at the crossbar. I think there may even be a Precious Moments version of that that’s very sweet. Check a regular Christian store; I’ve seen them there.
 
FickleFreckled said:
I don’t see anything wrong with buying a rosary for the baby, but make it a private gift for your brother along with the one for him. He can keep for a later time. You don’t evenhave to mention it to mom. If the mom is at least minimally Christian, give the baby one of those children’s crosses - not a crucifix - to hang on the wall; the ones that have the figure of a child kneeling in prayer attached at the crossbar. I think there may even be a Precious Moments version of that that’s very sweet. Check a regular Christian store; I’ve seen them there.
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Thanks for your suggestion. That is what I had been thinking. The rosary would be more a gift from a sister to a brother celebrating the fact that he is now a father. And I thought the rosary for the baby would be something my brother could take out and share with him when he is older.

The Precious Moments cross sounds perfect. I could give that to them separately.

Thanks for your suggestions and for taking the time to post.

Sincerely,

Maria1212
 
Perhaps buy the rosary for you brother, and a small personal gift for your SIL - maybe a locket?

For baby, a picture or statue of a guardian angel. Powerful symbol, yet, inoffensive to any spiritual person.

Have baby a rosary made for a special event - baptism or 1st birthday.
 
If you feel the desire to get a rosary for baby, then do so, but don’t keep it a secret from mom. While she may not be Catholic, and may even be lukewarm in her faith or have no faith, she’s still the baby’s mom and secrets should not be kept from her.

I agree that a book about Mother Saints would be appropriate if you feel that you should give her a Catholic oriented gift as well.
 
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