Why am I getting an error message when I’m trying to upload my avatar since it ain’t showing up?????????

Praying for you and for DJ.

Even a few Hail Mary’s specifically for him, OK?

As a fellow Catholic (though somewhat lapsed myself) I understand the guilt that you must be feeling. However I feel that an innocent life is an innocent life. And any child that dies is awarded a special place in heaven.Of all the “coulda, woulda shouldas” this is one you should put into a box and lock away.

I’m no expert on theology, but the one thing I know for sure is that all children are welcome into Heaven, regardless of whether they’re baptized or not, otherwise stillborns and babies who die during birth would never accepted, and that’s just not true. I also don’t think you need to worry that the hospital priest’s baptism didn’t count. If he’s a legitimate priest then the church considers his baptism valid.

I can’t even imagine the grief you suffer on a daily basis, but please don’t burden yourself with additional guilt over this. DJ is in God’s hands right now and in the most peaceful place there is.

I agree with Metalmon completely. 

Know that your son was baptized and believe that he now occupies a truly happy place in the afterlife. 

On a base theology level, I never agreed with the concept of original sin, finding it one of the worst dictates Catholicism has ever wrought. 

I believe we are all born innocent, and only through our own actions do we create sin.  A child is not capable of real sin.

Remember your son, and know that you loved him, and that he loved you.  We all have guilt and regret for things we have done, but I think its more important to remember what we did right, to remember the positive side of life, and to believe that loved ones no longer with us have gone onto a place of contentment and joy.

While I shun the catholic faith, I was raised catholic and I was a very good little catholic girl until I dumped it.  But you can never completely take the teachings out of a person regardless.

So if he was both baptised and given last rites, which I’m sure he was, then I don’t think you need to eat yourself up over this one.

And speaking from my present beliefs, I still don’t think his soul is doomed to purgatory. 

But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 19:14

and now I’m crying because it makes me sad you have to even think of these things.

I just don’t know what to say. I really want to ask you why you are torturing yourself. Then again, I think I understand.

I was raised in religion (although I no longer go to church) and it was taught that all children are admitted to heaven. Your son is there, I’m sure.
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”

—Matthew 18:1-6, 10-14

I don’t believe that a child who was not baptized soon after birth will not go to heaven, or even a last minute baptism.  In biblical times, people were baptized as adults, not children.  I can’t imagine God not allowing DJ’s soul to rest in peace.  I believe that DJ is looking down on you and sending his love to be with you, for as long as you live.

I’m a Chrisitian as well (Orthodox), and like you and many others, I’m somewhat estranged from my faith and religion and have my doubts about some things, but, because the crucifixion is one thing I do believe in, I have a hard time imagining God as being cruel or spiteful.  How could the same God who made that sacrifice for us allow an innocent child to suffer after death? Baptism is required (in general) for admission to heaven according to my religion as well, but I know without a doubt that DJ is in heaven now, and would be even if he hadn’t been baptized at all.  The verses that Miss Ann and Rochelle quoted come to mind, as do parts of the Council of Florence’s Decree on baptism:  “however, not only a priest or a deacon, but even a layman or a woman, yes even a pagan and a heretic can baptize, so long as he preserves the form of the Church and has the intention of doing as the Church does.” Finally, even if you can’t shake the guilt right away, at least consider that God does not punish children for their parents’ mistakes nor parents for their children’s mistakes.

I’m praying for you both.

WD it makes me sad that you are so worried over this.  DJ is happy, healthy and in a wonderful place.  Baptism is a human act that makes humans feel better—not God.  There is no way that DJ is caught in limbo or anything even resembling purgatory.  God is taking care of him, so please, don’t torture yourself.  *hugs*

I believe in a loving God who would not turn away one of God’s children, especially one of the littlest ones ... DJ is safe in the arms of God. I’ll be praying for you, DJ and Pudding today.

Children that young are innocent, they get a special place in Heaven because they are without sin, so the Baptism thing is really irrelevant, I think.
I know what you mean though, I was raised Catholic, too.

I know DJ is in heaven today.
Please be sure of that. He had a precious soul
and was forgiven of all his sins. Don’t beat yourself up, he is not in limbo and you & Pudding will see his sweet face again one day.
I think of you often, don’t torture yourself.

I have no doubt that not only is DJ NOT alone in the darkness, he is surrounded by family who have gone on before - sheltering him and caring for him and loving him, almost as much as you do.

I also have no doubt that you’ll have the opportunity to be with him again some day.

I won’t turn this into a religious discourse but hopefully you can take the faith of others and find strength to believe for yourself at this time.