This story today, brings a smile to my face. When my oldest was baptized he screamed the entire time because he just wanted to nurse. He was still recovering from his cleft lip surgery and was still rather irritated. All through the Mass beforehand he had slept contently, but as soon as it was over, and who could expect a baby to remain content for so long, he began to wail. I had neither the coordination nor the were withal to attempt to nurse him during his baptism.
Flash forward about eleven years to my the baptism of my youngest son. The well meaning, but seemingly oblivious priest decided to give a second homily during the baptism. Perhaps he felt he needed to reiterate all of the principles covered from the typical Baptismal prep course, but he had been thus inspired to speak for a very long time, while several babies began to come unglued. Once again, my infant had slept peacefully during the entire mass, and now that it was over, had began to wail. The difference this time was I did get up the gumption to just nurse the baby. Yes, I sat down in the middle of the (very drawn out) ceremony and nursed my son. Soon I was joined by his Godmother and her baby who also had grown hungry and antsy. At the time I was a bit conflicted about it, but irritated given the priest's lack of brevity in making this the longest lasting Baptism ever, but now, having read the story about the Pope's actions, I feel more at peace over the occasion.
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