杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

Following a long-standing tradition, 杏MAP导航 Francis celebrated Mass for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday. The feast commemorates Jesus鈥� baptism in the Jordan River by His cousin, St John the Baptist.

During the ceremony, the Holy Father baptized more than thirty children born in the past year to families of Vatican employees and diplomats accredited to the Holy See.

An act of justice

In his homily, immediately before the Baptism ceremony, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled the words of Jesus when asked by John why the Lord was coming to him to be baptized: 鈥淟et it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all justice鈥�. 鈥淏aptizing a child is an act of justice鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渂ecause in Baptism we give him or her a treasure, we give them a pledge: the Holy Spirit鈥�. He said it is important to baptize children, 鈥渟o that they grow up with the power of the Holy Spirit鈥�.

He also urged them 鈥渢o take care that they grow up with the light, with the power of the Holy Spirit, through catechesis, assistance, teaching, the example you give at home鈥�.

This, he said, 鈥渋s the message I want to give to you today鈥�.

A beautiful homily

杏MAP导航 Francis also showed his pastoral care for the young families, telling them not to worry if their children made a fuss during the ceremonies. 鈥淭he children aren鈥檛 used to coming to the Sistine [Chapel]. It鈥檚 their first time鈥�. If they do start to cry, he said, try to make them comfortable, but don鈥檛 worry if they keep it up. 鈥淐hildren are choral鈥�, he said; if one starts making noise, they all join in. 鈥淒on鈥檛 get upset!鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen a child cries in church, it鈥檚 a beautiful homily鈥�.

鈥淒on鈥檛 forget鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said in conclusion. 鈥淵ou bear the Holy Spirit within the children鈥�.