The regular “little of this, little of that” feature from Like Mother, Like Daughter!
Today we have a giveaway that I know you will love. As you know, we try to offer you the best and the most beautiful.
Well! Are you a grandparent with a new little one coming along or a godparent who'd like to offer the perfect gift for your godchild? How about a lovely beeswax baptismal candle? This candle can replace the generic one normally offered by the parish. We are giving one away today! This is a $40 value that we are giving away to a lucky reader!
With baptism, the new Christian is welcomed as a member of Christ's Church and washed free from sin by the Blood of the Lamb. A blessed candle is lit from the Paschal candle, the great symbol of Christ in every Catholic church. But — The little light of the baptismal candle is brought home but too often forgotten.
With today's giveaway, the candle can be remembered and even placed in your Little Oratory at home, brought out each year to celebrate the baptismal date — and lit at Christmas, Candlemas, and Easter — or whenever seems appropriate in your family celebrations, including for subsequent sacraments received by the child.
These artisanal candles are liturgical quality, 51 % beeswax that will help families remember the gift of baptism. There are seven Christological themes from which to choose, and the personal details — name, baptism date, place of baptism — can be recorded on the candle. Each one comes carefully packed in a protective tube with a votive holder and suggestions for implementing annual baptismal celebrations into your family tradition. The candle is a beautiful and perpetual gift. (Go to the end of the post for details on how to enter!)
And on to our links!
- So either this is just really macabre or… well, it's macabre, but still, I think your boys will love it: How to make a fruit bowl from melted army guys! (By the way, I think it's so funny that soldiers are really called “army guys” — like if you go on a military base, people talk about the Marines and the sailors and the “army guys”!)
- I thought this article about autism from a father who wonders if it's what we've been told — was interesting. Perhaps you'd also like to read the original article that appeared in a medical journal. I don't know much about autism, nor do I have any personal connection with autism. But the subject does intrigue me, especially the author's observation that fever and antibiotic use have been known to change the behavior of the child with autism, something I had never heard of. Thoughts?
- Rosie sent this really incredible article about a Rwandan woman who saved a baby in the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda when she was a girl of 11. “We must all understand that being a hero has nothing to do with being dominant or so strong. Uwamahoro didn’t know where she was going but she took charge of another human being’s life at her own life’s risk. Had we had a million Uwamahoros, no Genocide would have happened.”
- The redoubtable Fr. James Schall, SJ, on the “one small point of doctrine” that St. Thomas More was willing to by martyred for — and why it matters today and always.
- Do you know about the poet Roy Campbell? An amazing character — convert — friend of Tolkien, Lewis, Eliot, and other luminaries — inspiration for Strider — and rescuer of the writings of John of the Cross. A must-read.
- The wisdom and wickedness of women, by Joseph Pearce. Hitler made history… maybe making history isn't always all it's cracked up to be!
- James Howard Kunstler is one of our own Joseph's favorite critics. I was poking around his interesting site and found this post about his garden, which is of course very appealing — but read the comments for some gentle advice to him about his use of the land. Personally, I agree with Ginny — raised beds help you if you have “gardening attention deficit disorder” (her term, I believe). What do you think?
- I always get a kick out of Victoria Elizabeth Barnes. She makes me feel so validated — and simultaneously a lot less crazy than she is — for my roadside finds, failed Craigslist purchases (hey, I didn't get killed, so WIN!), and continually procrastinated projects. Here she is repurposing a square piano (or planning to) as a kitchen island! “It maddens me, that I have somehow, involuntarily, accidentally, not gotten the giantest available giant fancy thing.” Love her.
It's May! Here's a gentle way to start liturgical living with the saints and with the seasons, from the archives. Also from the archives, how to deal with picky eaters: hint: don't give in, but do deep fry their supposedly hated food in a great beer batter, recipe included.
Happy Feast of the glorious St. Athanasius, defender of the faith!
************* THE GIVEAWAY! *************
To win a lovely baptism candle, just leave a comment! If you “like” our page on Facebook, let us know in a second comment for a second chance to win! (It's also a great way to be notified of a new post.) We will close the giveaway on Wednesday night.
The winner will receive a lovely beeswax candle, carefully packaged — with a holder included! Remember, this candle can be personalized with the name of the person who is being baptized — and you choose the decoration. This makes a wonderful gift from the Godparents or grandparents, or certainly, if you are the mother or father, you can choose this candle for your baby's baptism.
Cassandra Brungardt says
These are really lovely candles!
Cassandra Brungardt says
Of course I like you on Facebook!
Summer says
Beautiful candles! We’re expecting our 4th baby in early June and would LOVE the chance to win a special baptism candle. Thank you!
Aimee M says
Those candles are so pretty! I would like to give one to my god-daughter when she makes her First Communion next year.
Salome Ellen says
Grandchild #12 is due the end of this month. This would make a lovely gift!!
Mary kate says
What a lovely gift this would be for our #8 arriving in December.
Sarah K says
Oh, what beautiful candles! I agree much better and the ones offered by the church. So far, we have a tradition of burning my kids baptismal candles when the receive their other Sacraments. But we can only burn for a few minutes or they burn too low!
Sarah K says
Also, I like you on FB.
Lisa says
Such lovely candles! I thought I “knew” everyone associated with Lewis but this name is not so familiar. I may have forgotten; it does happen more and more often these days. I will go check him out along with so many of your wonderful links. Thank you!
Lisa says
I do “like” you on facebook. I would “love” you if they’d let me.
Anamaria says
Lovely candles! My first was given a German one by her godparents, but we will be in need of another soon!
Anamaria says
And yes I like you on Facebook! 🙂 even if my phone typing makes grammar difficult!
Amy says
We happen to have a baptism coming up for our fourth baby. What a beautiful candle for the occasion!
Amy says
And, yes, I like you on FB!
Jamaica says
So very lovely! I wish I had known about these years ago!
Amy says
There is a beautiful local tradition in Louisiana where the baptismal candle is saved and lit at the end of life, when the christian is dying and prayers for the dying are being read.
Dianna says
We’re baptizing our fourth in the near future (well, after he comes of course!) so it would be lovely to have such a candle for him.
Dianna says
And I’ve already Liked the page on Facebook!
Ona says
what a wonderful gift ! thank you for this opportunity!
Robin says
Oh this would make a beautiful gift for my first grandson (also expecting number two and three, within months of each other!) I do not have a facebook, but I do love your blog and your wonderful advice on Catholic living. It is such a gift to this newbie and I am so blessed to have found it.
Gina says
Thanks for the autism article link. Really interesting stuff. I volunteer for a national organization (personalponies.org) that makes Shetland ponies available at no charge to children with special needs. Many of our visitors are autistic. I will pass these links on to their parents and the other pony volunteers.
Cecilia says
What beautiful little candles! I think my mom got baptismal candles for my two daughters, but I am a bit dubious on the quality of these items as the other day I looked in the memory box and the candles were looking a bit melt-y (!). It would be lovely to have a nice quality beeswax candle for my next child!
Tomato says
I’m going to be a Godmother (again) soon. I would love one of these candles for the baptism!
Tomato says
And I liked the facebook page!
Sue K says
Beautiful candles!
Sue K says
I also like you on facebook and I’m looking forward to meeting you at the end of the month at the Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference!
elizabeth k says
Thank you for the opportunity, this would be a lovely gift to share with a friend who will soon baptize their little girl.
🙂
elizabeth k says
Wasn’t I one of the first to love you on Facebook.;-D
Lilli Vitale says
These are so lovely! Count me in, please, for a chance to give one to son for his First Communion.
Anne Zakas says
We have a new grandson coming this month to my daughter and son-in-law in Indianapolis. He will be called John and, hopefully, become a strong man of God.
Lilli Vitale says
I also am liking you on FB right now! Thanks!
Michele says
Love Gina’s candles! I had one done for my daughter and 2 Godchildren. My 2 sisters are expecting so I am sharing this tradition with them!
Heather says
We have been caught unprepared for our first two children’s baptisms, so I would love to win this in preparation for #3 expected in December!
Lucy Hines says
what beautiful candles! We would love one for our newest little one on the way!
Mary says
Love the candles, they are beautiful!
Mary says
And I can’t believe I hadn’t “liked” your facebook page until now… I’ve been a fan for a long time. Baby #4 is due in September so I hope we win, it would be a beautiful addition to her baptismal ceremony!
Kristi says
Beautiful candles, interesting links! Our daughter was just baptized at Easter, and I would love to give her the candle.
Kristi says
I like you on facebook (and off fb, too).
Jenna O says
Those candles are so lovely!
Melissa Semra says
Awwww
She looks so beautiful in that white dress of hers
Margaret says
What a glorious idea for a baptismal gift! I would love to win one.
Margaret says
And I have ‘liked’ you on Facebook! 😉
Mary says
Baby #2 due by May 14th! Love the illumination and Celtic Cross!
Nancy says
Those baptismal are spectacular, brought a tear to my eyes. What a wonderful way to add even more beauty to the sacrament and what a wonderful keepsake.
God bless those artists!
Stephanie says
Those candles are beautiful! In a few months, I will become a godmother for the first time, so I love looking at unique and special keepsakes for the new baby!
Kelsey says
Might I say ladies, this was a particularly lovely bits and pieces. I “liked” you on facebook…but I deleted it for Lent and it has stayed deleted!
Helena says
What a beautiful candle! Baby #2 is due in July. 🙂
Clara says
Lovely candle. I would love to win it, I know exactly which baby/baptism this would be for.
Alethea says
I’d love to win. We are expecting our third child in September. And excited for a baptism!
Thanks!
Alethea says
O, and I like your FB page 🙂
Ngofamilyfarm says
What a beautiful and timely giveaway! My youngest is being baptized tomorrow!!
-Jaime
Katy says
Beautiful candle!
Katy says
Also liked you on Facebook 🙂
Eva says
What exquisite works of art these candles are…and an inspiration to purify our souls to be as beautiful!
Eva says
“Liked” on facebook!
Mary @ Parenthood says
The autism article reminded me of a really interesting book I read recently about PANDAS (also strep related but OCD/Tourette’s rather than autism) I found an article that mentions the book “Saving Sammy” (http://www.pressherald.com/2010/06/01/a-mothers-book-explores-her-sons-medical-mystery-_2010-06-01/) but the full book is worth a read too)
Julie says
These are beautiful candles. We will have our baby baptized in June.
Julie says
I like you on FB.
Maria says
This would be amazing for our forthcoming baby #4!!
Sarah says
The candles seem very nice 🙂
Elena says
If the autism/gut-brain link interests you, look up the work of british neurologist Dr. Natasha mcbride-Campbell. She has been ‘healing’ autism for many years using the gaps diet to heal the gut. She began with her son and many have had success with autism, allergies and mental illness using the diet. The premise is that the lining of the gut has been damaged and become leaky through a combo of antibiotic use, bottle feeding, use of the Pill (which decimates gut bacteria) and bad diet. The deadly combo came together after WWII and we are reaping the rewards as this generation of women has babies. It really is fascinating stuff and very, very hopeful. I was amazed when I read your link to read that the author didn’t seem to know of this researcher’s work. Also, I love the candle. It would be wonderful for baby no. 7.
Adele says
i’m looking forward to looking up the work of Dr. Mcbride-Campbell. The candles are lovely.
Jennifer Gregory Miller says
I wish I had more presence of mind to have had a beautifu. long lasting candle like this. I so dislike the simple candle from church. We just had a First Communion which we displayed his baptismal candle, but we can’t light it, or it will be gone in 5 minutes. I’d love to win this candle! Thank you for the giveaway!
Sarah C. says
Those certainly are beautiful candles! We’re having our second child in about 2 months and this would make a beautiful keepsake for his baptism!
Sarah C. says
Liked on facebook (but I did that ages ago).
Julia R. says
The candles are gorgeous. One won’t be enough, but I’d be thrilled to win our first one!
Stephanie in Germany says
The candles are lovely not only for baptisms! We light our children’s baptismal candle on their Saints’ Name Day. I could imagine using one of these beautiful candles on our wedding anniversary every year…
NY Mom says
Is the baby in the 2nd photo one of your grandchildren? What a joyful expression he/she has!
Gina says
The delightful baby in the second picture is my friend’s son.
Chrissy says
The delightful baby in the second picture is my friend’s son.
Amelia Wright says
These are beautiful! Our seventh child is due in October and he/she would be so lucky to have one of these beautiful candles.
Amelia Wright says
I also liked your facebook!
Kate says
Pretty candles! My first is getting baptized in a month and a good baptismal candle is all we’re lacking so far.
Erica says
The candles are lovely. Thank you for sharing all your great finds.
Kristen says
Beautiful candles!
Morgan says
Those candles are beautiful!! Thank you for the fun give away! I would love the chance to win one for baby #3.
Our family entered the church the Easter. Your blog was a great resource through the conversion (and of course continues to be). Thank you!
Morgan says
I “liked” you on Facebook too. 🙂
Kris says
Beautiful candle – would love to win!
Mimi says
I have a new niece or nephew on the way that could use it. How great!
Ashley says
Thank you for the giveaway!
Emily M says
Thank you for the giveaway!
Emily M says
And I also “like” you on Facebook.
CMerie says
We have a new baby coming in November. This would be a perfect gift!
Laura says
Thank you, would love to win a candle!
Taryn says
How wonderful! Would be lovely for a summer baptism for our little blessing due this July. First girl after 7 boys 🙂
Taryn says
I’m also a follower on FB 🙂
LeighAnna says
What beautiful candles! Our second baby (first girl!) is due in six weeks… 🙂
LeighAnna says
And I do “like” you on Facebook!
Adrienne says
My kids are obsessed with the Paschal candle right now. This would be perfect for them.
Donna L. says
What a gorgeous candle–thank you for the chance to win!
Shannon says
Love those beautiful candles! Thanks for the chance to win!
Jessica Patt says
I absolutely love these Baptismal candles, you truly capture the beauty of this Holy Sacrament! We are expecting our 5th child in September, and this would be a treasured item in our home to celebrate her Baptism!
Jessica Patt says
And of course I “liked” you on Facebook! 🙂
Rosemary says
Thank you for the drawing. I would love to win one of those beautiful candles for my niece’s first baby due any day.
Heather says
These candles are gorgeous!
Heather says
I’ve already liked you on Facebook, if that counts. If not, don’t count this one!
hope says
I’ve already liked you on Facebook, if that counts. If not, don’t count this one!
Donna L. says
I also “liked” you on Facebook—that’s the first time I’ve ever done that!!!
God bless you and thank you for letting us see the darling baby pictures–we coo and smile at this house–as well as the hand-made quilts–pretty!
Esther says
I would love to give this to my soon-to-be-born goddaughter-niece!
Esther says
I’m a facebook fan of yours too
Sarah says
Liked on facebook
Lisa says
These are works of art!
Melissa says
Those candles are beautiful. It would make a lovely gift for our new niece or nephew coming in July!
Gina says
Melissa,
A candle gift certificate would be a great way to give the candle while allowing the parents to choose the design.
Lydia Arroyo says
I would love to win the candle. I have been searching high and low for a beautiful candle for my son’s Baptism. Something to keep and lite for all of his future sacraments.