In the Catholic Church, it is called the Sacrament of Baptism. Christening refers to the person being dedicated to the Christian faith. I am assuming since the meaning of baptism comes from being submerged in water, baptism would be the rite, and christening would be the dedication of the child/person to Christ. Through this toilsome world, alas! Once and only once I pass; If a kindness I may show, If a good deed I may do To a suffering fellow man, No delay for it is plain I shall not pass this way again." <BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

This is sort of a "you say 'poe-TAY-toe' I say 'poe-TAH-toe'" thing. Different denominations of the Christrian faith have their own terminology and definitions. One just goes with whatever his/her own denomination prefers. As far as I am concerned, there is no correct/wrong terminology; just use what is the practice of your particular church. Adrian