My object is a baptismal gown that my grandma made for my mother to wear. The gown was hand-stitched by my grandmother in October of 1984. It’s a very small, intricate white gown with flowered lace. It has been worn by 14 different members of my family, including my mom, my aunts and uncles, my cousins, and myself. I think it is extraordinarily beautiful; it feels so holy to have baptized that many members of my family. This object is important to me because the day of my baptism was unusual. My grandmother asked the priest at St. Margaret's about getting me baptized. The only thing required was that my godparents would have to get a letter, attend a class, and be confirmed Catholics. My aunt and uncle did all of these things to become my godparents. But on the day of my baptism, the priest was not at St. Margaret’s. My grandmothers went to the rectory to find out where he was and discovered that he was refusing to come. I’m told by my GG that he was strongly against it because my parents were unmarried. My grandma threatened to call the priest, and Father Joseph changed his mind after that and reluctantly agreed to baptize me.  I think my parents like to tell me this story often because it illustrates just how much my family really cares for me and how they always will, and that is what this object symbolizes for me. 

– Natalie Nuñez

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more