(ZENIT News / Rome, 26.10.2024).- On Saturday, October 5, a baptism ceremony was held at the parish of Saint Josemaría Escrivá in Alcorcón, Spain, for 17 children. This sacrament is particularly special for these children, as at some point their lives were gravely endangered.
One of the mothers, Karen, shared her story: «I was desperate, with no support from anyone to have my daughter. I didn’t know what to do,» she said, because during her pregnancy she didn´t have support from her partner, who did not want children. She was 26 at the time.
However, when she approached what she thought was her only option—an abortion clinic in Madrid—she met several volunteers from the organization “Más Futuro” («More Future»). “They came up to me and told me that abortion was not the solution and that, if I had no support, they would help me.”
Seeing this as another possible way out of her painful situation, she gave them her phone number, and a few days later, they reached out to her. «I thank God for putting those wonderful people in my path who helped me, as my life took a turn for the better,» she shared. What had seemed like a misfortune turned into Karen’s greatest blessing.
“I decided to continue with my pregnancy and have my little girl, who is now two years old. She is my greatest joy, my hope, my life, and the reason I keep going. This Saturday, I am going to baptize her, and I am very excited to take this important step with my daughter,” she confirmed.
For Karen, the solution is clearly not abortion: “My advice to mothers considering abortion who don’t have support from their partners or family is not to do it; a child is a blessing sent by God. No matter how difficult life gets, you must face the situation and move forward. Seek help rather than resorting to abortion.»
Along with Karen, 16 other families celebrated their children’s baptisms. As Bishop Ginés García Beltrán, who led the ceremony, stated, “Today, we are celebrating the feast of life.”
The Bishop of Getafe emphasized, “These children are not here by chance, none of them. I don’t know the circumstances that led to your pregnancies, but what I do know is that God has always loved your children, he had them in mind, they are not just another number; they are someone important.”
Marta Velarde, president of the Más Futuro Association, stated that the journey to the Baptism celebration “has been very challenging, as each mother faces unique difficulties, but saving babies from abortion brings us deep happiness. Despite the especially difficult time, we are rescuing many children.”
