Could someone give me a brief explanation of a catholic christening please?

[sheepmaysafelygraze]

I mean what happens during the ceremony, not the purpose of it.
DH is catholic, I'm not. He would like DD to be baptised which I don't mind. He is organising it and is doing the preparation course in the church.
He is a bit vague about the practicalities(typical bloke ). He has told me we need to have a white blanket. What is this for? I was thinking of making her one, does it need to be completely white? Also is it traditional to have a proper christening gown(you know the long white lacy things) or would a pretty dress be ok? Is there anything else I might need to know? She will be 14-15 months when this happens if that makes a difference.

Thank you!

Hello! It might sound complicated but in my experience it was quite a short affair.
You do need a white shawl. There is a part where the child is wrapped in it to signify purity.
Have you spoken to your priest yet as they will generally give you some instruction before the day.
Your DD can wear whatever you like.

Thank you. I better get dress shopping and blanket knitting then!

Hmm. My best friend's son was baptised recently in Poland and wore white shirt and trousers. There was no blanket involved

Best to ask the priest.

With my dd we were initially told we needed a white shawl / blanket but since she was dressed in the families white christening dress that was used as the priest just indicated to her dress when he got to the bit about the white garment, so it depends a little bit on your pp.

It was part of the service for DDs baptism and also all the catholic ceremonies I have attended.
Quick guide here www.catholicireland.net/pages/index.php?nd=86
Ceremony is same as in England.

None of mine wore white, but after the water is splashed about they got wrapped in a white shawl to represent purity (or something similar). We used a shawl sent by some nuns who were aunts of my DH.

We had to have a christening course which simply meant someone came round to our house a couple of times and popped on a video. They explained the order of the service, which as a non-catholic I found useful.

They were also happy for my sister (a non-catholic to be a godparent)

yes, KenDodsDadsDog, I didn't mean it wasn't part of the service, it was part of the service, but since she was already in a white garment he indicated that one when he got to the bit where they say something like 'receive this white garment...' rather than using an additional shawl or blanket.

Thank you for the info everyone!
If I was to knit her a shawl would it have to be completely white or would a little bit of colour on the border be ok?

My niece had a yellow and white blanket. It's more a symbol than anything else. And as coffeepot says, you might not need something different to the outfit. It just happened that my mam knitted me one. Hope you have a lovely day.

I just got back from christening and when the priest mentioned the white garment the parents put a sort of white blose/chemise on top of the children's outfits (there were two children).

So best to talk to the priest and ask whether it has to be a blanket or it can be just a white top or similar.

Do you have a MIL? Letting her be heavily involved in the dress bit would be a great way of earning cheap brownie points making her feel involved.