A little star gets her name
emilia
A late-afternoon baptism, and a dinner under the first stars for our newest little one.
Saturday, September 25, 2027
Capela de Santo Amaro · Lisbon, Portugal
Counting down to golden hour
Our night owl
Nine months of Emilia
Born on the 1st of December, 2026 — at 23:58, two minutes before her favourite hour
Almost a midnight baby
Emilia arrived at two minutes to midnight, unhurried, eyes already wide open — and has kept night-owl hours ever since.
The ceiling stars
We stuck glow stars on her ceiling. She now conducts a nightly staring contest with them and, we believe, is winning.
First word — almost
It was either 'lua' (moon) or a very committed yawn. We've written down 'lua'. History is kind that way.
Her own star
Nine months old, our night owl gets her name — at the hour the sky does its best work.
The service
What happens in the chapel
The welcome
Padre Manuel greets Emilia at the chapel door and traces the first small cross on her forehead.
The water
The baptism itself at the marble font — three gentle pours, one very surprised look, one new Christian.
The light
Her godfather lights her candle from the great paschal candle — her own small star, kept and relit every year.
The white garment
Her godmother wraps her in white — stitched with one tiny silver star at the hem, because obviously.
Where to be
The chapel & the terrace
The baptism
Capela de Santo Amaro
4:00 in the afternoon
Calçada de Santo Amaro 14, Alcântara, Lisboa
A small round chapel from 1549 on a hill over the river. The service is at four, when the light starts turning gold.
Open in Google MapsDinner under the stars
Miradouro Terrace at Casa do Rio
From 6 in the evening
Rua da Junqueira 142 — five minutes down the hill
Dinner on the terrace as the sky goes from gold to violet to full of stars — fado for the grown-ups, fairy lights for everyone under ten.
Open in Google Maps15:45
Gathering
The chapel garden
16:00
The baptism
Capela de Santo Amaro
17:00
Golden-hour photos
The miradouro
18:00
Dinner under the lights
Casa do Rio terrace
21:00
Star cake & fado
The terrace
Keeping her light
The godparents
Inês Ferreira
Madrinha — godmother
Rui Costa
Padrinho — godfather
Inês and Rui will hold Emilia at the font and light her candle — and have already promised to relight it with her every year, on this exact evening, wherever in the world she is.
What to wear
Evening soft — dusk colours, comfortable elegance
Lavender, midnight blue, silver and warm grey suit the evening. September nights by the river are mild; a light layer is all you'll need when the stars come out.
Instead of a gift, write her a letter — the box on the terrace seals at midnight and opens on her eighteenth birthday. Eighteen years of voices, waiting for her. That's the present.
Good to know
Questions, answered
- Why an afternoon baptism?
- So the party can end under the stars, with Emilia awake for the beginning and dreaming by the cake. Night owls plan around the sky.
- Are children welcome?
- Completely — there's a blanket-and-cushions corner on the terrace with a storyteller, and the fairy lights were honestly hung for them.
- Can we photograph the service?
- Yes, quietly and without flash. The chapel is tiny and candle-lit — your photos will be better than you expect.
- What about gifts?
- None needed. If you'd like a tradition: guests write Emilia a letter to be opened on her eighteenth birthday. Paper and a sealed box will be on the terrace.
- How do we get up the hill?
- Taxis drop at the chapel gate. If you're coming by tram 15, get off at Santo Amaro and climb the calçada slowly — the view is the warm-up act.
Please reply by September 4, 2027
Join us under the stars?
Beatriz (mãe): +351 91 555 0233
Tiago (pai): +351 91 555 0279