Vatican City, 10 January 2016 (VIS) –
"Give your children the legacy of faith", said the Pope
this morning in the Sistine Chapel to the parents and godparents of
26 children (13 boys and 13 girls) he baptised during the Holy Mass
celebrated on the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord.
In his brief homily the Holy Father
explained to those present that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the
temple forty days after His birth to present Him to God, just as
today parents take their children to receive Baptism and to receive
the faith as they show in their reply to the question at the
beginning of the rite. "In this way, faith is transmitted from
one generation to another, like a chain through time. These boys,
these girls, over the years, will take your place with their
children, your grandchildren, and they too will ask for faith. The
faith that is given in Baptism, the faith that the Holy Spirit brings
today to the heart, the soul and the life of these children of
yours".
"You have ask for faith. The
Church, when she gives you the lighted candle, will tell you to
safeguard the faith in these children. And, in the end, do not forget
that the greatest legacy you can give your children is faith. Take
care that it is not lost, to make it grow and to leave it as a
legacy. This I wish to you today, on this day that is joyful for you:
I hope that you will be able to raise these children in faith and
that the greatest legacy they will receive from you will be faith".
The Pope concluded by commenting that
when a baby cries it may be because he or she is hungry, and so he
invited mothers to feel free to feed their babies in the Sistine
Chapel if necessary.
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