The clothing of your child in a white garment is a joyful symbol of all that your child might become through the guidance of the Spirit. This is a symbol that remains with each of us throughout our lives and even at the end of life, when our family and friends gather at the Rite of Christian Burial. At that time, the Church clothes us with the white pall representing this white garment given at Baptism.
Presider: N., you have become a new creation and have clothed yourself in Christ. May this white garment be a sign to you of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring it unstained into eternal life.
All: Amen.
After you and your partner have each had time alone to read and reflect, arrange a quiet time together to share and reflect on these questions. Include your older children in the conversation as appropriate.
To be clothed in a white garment can be imagined as being embraced by God. Take turns wrapping your arms around each other and saying:
Your child is clothed in the white robe after he/she has been baptized and chrismated in order to indicate that he/she is now a member of the Church. Some families have a christen ing garment that has been used for the Baptism of many children. Some parents choose to buy a new one.