Baptism in the Christian tradition enacts a person’s rebirth into the faith. The use of water symbolizes washing away the past and moving into a new life in the church.
"The parents and the padrinos (godparents) take a candle that should be lit right there as you come into the life of God or the godly family. Then the banquet–very very traditional and very very important–takes place. The padrinos make the comida (meal) and invite people. It’s a big wingding in the honoring and the nurturing of birth."—Eva Castellanoz
"Presentacion would takes place when the mother and the child come back from the hospital. This is would be a spiritual baby shower . . . we give him spiritual gifts. We call his name before baptism and then we wish him love, happiness, money."—Eva Castellanoz
"It used to be that within three days you baptized your child–the sooner the better. It doesn’t happen that way anymore, but we do still use a coronita or little crown. It should be white for pureness. The ceremony in the church is for putting on the baptismal water and admonishing the padrinos that they are the second parents of the child. In case something happens to the parents, they take over." —Eva Castellanoz
