It’s Never Too Late to be Baptised

Christenings are often associated with infants, but an 82 year old Dorset lady has shown that it’s never too late to be baptised.

Norma Ralph, from St Laurence’s Church, Upwey, in Weymouth was the oldest of five people baptised in Salisbury Cathedral on Saturday evening and the oldest of sixty confirmed at the same service. The youngest person to be confirmed, Ruby Taton from the neighbouring church of St Nicholas, Broadwey, was just nine years old. 

Norma was baptised by Bishop Nicholas and confirmed by Bishop Karen. 

Speaking after the service, Norma said, “My son has been encouraging me to get baptised. I should have done it a long long time ago, but never got round to it. 

“It felt lovely to be baptised, and when Bishop Karen laid hands on me and confirmed me, it felt special.” 

Norma’s vicar, the Revd Philip Elliott, said, “In her quiet way Norma is living her faith, and she probably has been for a long time, but it’s quite lovely that she has decided that she would like to stand up and make a public profession of it.

“It just shows it’s wonderful to see God at work in people’s lives and we’ll pray for Norma as she continues with the next step in her journey.” 

Bishop Nicholas added, “It renews our hope to see sixty people of all backgrounds, aged nine to eighty-two, join together to make a public commitment in baptism and confirmation to follow in the way of Jesus Christ and be welcomed by the whole Church in doing so.

“You’re never too old to be baptised, something that unites us with Christians of every tradition, in every country, across time.”

Lower image: Norma shares the peace with Chloe, aged 12, after both were confirmed.