Pope Francis baptizes infants, says faith is their ‘greatest inheritance’

Last updated on: January 10, 2016 at 10:07 am by CNA Daily News

Pope Francis baptizes infants, says faith is their ‘greatest inheritance’ 2016-01-10T10:07:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Jan 10, 2016 / 03:07 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Sunday Pope Francis baptized 26 babies in the Sistine Chapel, telling parents to nurture the faith in the lives of their children, because it is the greatest inheritance they can give.

“Don’t forget that the greatest inheritance you can give to your children is the faith. Try to see that it is not lost, nurture it and leave it as an inheritance,” the Pope said Jan. 10.

Francis celebrated Mass for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord in the Sistine Chapel, where he kept with papal tradition and baptized several infants. This year there were 26 – 13 girls and 13 boys.

#PopeFrancis just baptized 26 babies! Welcome to the Church!! pic.twitter.com/BWGeTLjHAJ

— Elise Harris (@eharris_it) January 10, 2016

In his brief homily, the Pope told parents that in bringing their children to the chapel to receive baptism, they are imitating the act of Mary and Joseph, who, 40 days after Jesus’ birth, brought him to the temple to present him to God.

“This is how faith is transmitted from one generation to the next, like a chain across time,” he said, referring to how it is faith that is received during the sacrament.

Eventually the infants baptized will grow up to be parents themselves, and will ask the same thing for their own children, he observed: “the faith, the faith that is given in baptism, the faith which today brings the Holy Spirit into the hearts, souls and life lives of these, your children.”

Pope Francis then pointed to the specific point in the rite of baptism in which the parents are handed a lit candle, and told to safeguard the faith of their newly baptized babies.

He told them that faith is the greatest treasure they can leave their children, and encouraged them to make this faith grow throughout the lives of their children.

“This is what I wish for you today, which is a joyful day for you. I hope that you will be able to help these children grow in the faith, and that the greatest inheritance they can receive from you is the faith.”

After brief homily on #faith, #PopeFrancis begins baptizing 26 infants inside the Sistine Chapel pic.twitter.com/qECvhP6sCT

— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) January 10, 2016

Vatican

Previous Post

January 9, 2016

Why can't Catholic couples write their own vows? This bishop explains.

Next Post

January 10, 2016 Do you celebrate the day of your baptism? Pope Francis asks

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does Proverbs say about a soft answer?

Select your answer to see how you score.

It brings wealth It is useless It turns away wrath It starts a fight