After exhorting parents to be “transmitters of faith”, Pope Francis baptized 32 children on Sunday, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The celebration, which takes place every year, was held in the Sistine Chapel.
According to Vatican Radio, among the newly baptized were the newborn children of several Vatican employees.
During his homily, the Holy Father said that while Jesus had no need to be baptized, His Baptism blessed the waters in order to give the Sacrament. Following Christ’s command to go out to the world and baptize, the uninterrupted chain continues to this day.
“These children are a link in the chain,” he said. “You, parents, have a baby boy or a baby girl to be baptized, but in a few years, they will be the ones who will have a child or a grandchild to be baptized. Such is the chain of faith!”
The Holy Father stressed the importance of parents’ roles as transmitters of the faithful, saying that it is “the most beautiful inheritance you will leave them.”
“Take this thought home with you today. We must be transmitters of the faith. Think of this, think always how to transmit the faith to the children.”
Concluding his homily, Pope Francis said that the most beautiful choir is that of children making noise. He invited the mothers to not worry if their children are uncomfortable. “If they are hungry, mothers, give them something to eat, don’t worry, because they are the protagonists here,” he said.
