Is it Possible to Replace Lost Baptismal Robes and Candles?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Antonius_Lupus
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Antonius_Lupus

Guest
So here’s basically my dilemma:

Shortly after I was baptized in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church my mother ended up divorcing my drunkard father. The subsequent animosities ran high, especially considering that I have grandparents who are extremist fundamentalists. During this period my mother believes that my birthfather stole much of her items, including in all likelihood my baptismal robe and candle.

The thought of having lost (perhaps forever given my grandparents belief that Catholicism is Satanic/Pagan and their tendency to destroy such things) these two important liturgical items from my new birth is something that bothers and has bothered me for some time.

What I want to know is if it is possible to “replace” these sacred objects. Clearly there is always going to be a special significance to the original items (if they still exist), but in terms of sheer symbolism, I find both these holy objects to be powerful and deeply inspiring. How awesome it would be to celebrate each anniversary of my baptism with these wondrous symbols of my inheritance in Christ.

Could I obtain a new robe and candle and then, through some sort of blessing from my priest, consecrate them as a kind of “replacement” for the objects that have been lost?

I know it sounds weird but it’s how I feel.
 
The robe and candle are not blessed. If you were baptized as an infant the robe or bib really doesn’t have that much meaning since the child is usually in a white garment anyway. The candle probably can be bought at any Catholic religious goods store or online. Try Anton, that’s where we buy our in the parish or just go to your parish and ask if you can have one to replace the one you lost. Offer to pay for it, but honestly they are like $2 or less
 
yes go to any parish you can probably purchase a baptismal candle for a small donation. our “white garment” for infant baptisms is made by ladies of the parish and donated so they may have one to give you. Our garment for the RCIA adults is purchased and it is not cost effective just to order one, but it does no harm to ask. It is symbolic in any case. YOur “white garment” is Christ himself, whom you put on when you were baptized. So if you want to renew that special meaning, simply receive him in Holy Communion. Don’t cling to the outward sign when you have the inward reality. Neither of these items is blessed or consecrated by the way.

Welcome HOme
 
I don’t know, I just feel like people are always devualing the sheer beauty of the baptismal garments and the candle. I question whther I sould even seek it out given that I’ve gotten such bad responses to the idea (not here though).
 
Antonius_Lupus said:
I don’t know, I just feel like people are always devualing the sheer beauty of the baptismal garments and the candle. I question whther I sould even seek it out given that I’ve gotten such bad responses to the idea (not here though).
Click to expand...
The value and beauty come from the fact that you wore the gown at your baptism and the candle was presented to your parents and godparents at that time. Do replicas really mean anything?

I guess to some people they do, but I don’t understand why. I know we had a baptism in our parish a few years ago when our order of baptismal candles hadn’t arrived. Instead of a decorated cheap stearine candle they got a 100% beeswax 18"X1" altar candle. Two weeks later they returned to the office requesting a decorated one. 🤷 Totally lost on them the meaning of the plain candle they had been given.
 
Phemie said:
Totally lost on them the meaning of the plain candle they had been given.
Click to expand...
But maybe that’s the point. I know the meaning and that is why I so bothered by not having these things. Even I don’t understand it… 🤷 😦
 
Antonius_Lupus said:
But maybe that’s the point. I know the meaning and that is why I so bothered by not having these things. Even I don’t understand it… 🤷 😦
Click to expand...
Were you in our (New England) parish, I think our deacon would invite you after Mass to join him at the Baptismal font, and he’d light the large Paschal candle there. He’d then take one of our small Baptismal candles, light it from the Paschal candle, say a prayer of blessing of some kind, then give you the Baptismal candle. Yes, it would be only a “replica,” but it appears that something like this would be very meaningful to you. But that’s our parish. Maybe you could approach your pastor or deacon for something like this.
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
Were you in our (New England) parish, I think our deacon would invite you after Mass to join him at the Baptismal font, and he’d light the large Paschal candle there. He’d then take one of our small Baptismal candles, light it from the Paschal candle, say a prayer of blessing of some kind, then give you the Baptismal candle. Yes, it would be only a “replica,” but it appears that something like this would be very meaningful to you. But that’s our parish. Maybe you could approach your pastor or deacon for something like this.
Click to expand...
That sounds really awesome. And yes, that would be very meaningful to say the least. I’ll look into this. 🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top