Saturday, September 19, 2020

Luxembourg's Grand Ducal family celebrates the baptism of Prince Charles

 

all photos: © Cour grand-ducale / Sophie Margue


Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie joined other members of the Luxembourg Grand Family at the celebration of the baptism of their four-month-old son Charles Jean Philippe Joseph Marie Guillaume on September 19 at  L'abbaye St Maurice in Clervaux in the northern part of Luxembourg.

The little prince wore the Nassau family christening gown, which had also been worn by  grandfather, Hereditary Grand Duke and other family members.  His two godparents are his paternal uncle, Prince Louis of Luxembourg, and his maternal aunt Countess Gaëlle de Lannoy.

While watching the video of the celebration, I noticed the omission of a baptismal font, where the parents, godparents, and the officiating priests would gather and the ceremony would include the priest pouring water over the infant, and baptizing him in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Is it possible due to COVD-19 that Charles was already baptized, perhaps in a private ceremony at his parents' home, Schloss Fischbach?  The Unity Candle shows his birthdate, rather than the baptismal date.








Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa were among the guests that also included Prince Felix and Princess Claire and their two children, Princess Amalia and Prince Liam, Prince Sebastian, and members of the de Lannoy family.

















Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume's younger sister, Princess Alexandra, was the only member of the immediate family who did not attend the ceremony.


8 comments:

RoperGal said...

Great blog but pics are of bishop putting Holy Chrism on Charles’ forehead. Pics of baptism itself might be for family only.

If Charles had been baptized in hospital in first place there would be no baptism in church.

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

and the sprinkling of the water is a reminder of one's baptism... There is not even a baptismal font present.

Maria said...

Great blog and photos. If the little prince was baptized sooner, a second baptism would not have taken place. The sacrament of baptism is only received once. Just don't think there were photos released of the baptism (using water to baptize in the name of the Father, of the Son and the Holy Spirit). I love reading your blog. Thank you!!

julaine said...

I think there might be a font. In the photo of Archbishop Hollerich facing the congregation with the Bible held in front of him I think I see a corner of the font. It has various items of the baptism laid out on it. In another photo you see Prince Charles’ godmother holding up a cloth that is sometimes used to avoid getting oil on the baby’s Christening gown. As a Catholic I have never known of a case where a baby was baptized twice and if they wanted to have a family celebration they wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of reenacting it to this extent. At least, I hope not.

John said...

do they still use the Prince(ss) of Bourbon Parma title?

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

Socially,

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

Just seems strange to not have photos of the actual baptism. It would have been difficult to bring that number of people together a month or so after the birth

Frank Staggs said...

The video shows the Bishop introducing the container of holy water containing the aspergillium (the instrument an abbot, prior, priest or Bishop uses to sprinkle Holy Water). In the middle of the ceremony, Bishop is shown blessing Prince Charles, held by his parents, with the aspergillium, immediately followed by the chrism, as per the Rite of Christian Initiation for One Infant. As an aside, most religious communities - especially those following some form of the rule of St Benedict, as this particular abbey does - use the aspergillium (and the holy water vat) to bless the community after vespers or compline. In these days if COVID perhaps this diocese, or abbey, is using the aspergillium for the imposition of holy water.