The New Children of God The Baptisms of the Children of the Santa Marta Dispensary

“Be responsible parents: take care of your children and their souls, certain that what you do not do, others will do for you”. The parish of Sant’Anna in the Vatican is animated by the voices of many children, young and old, who from today become part of the great family of God. The parish priest, Father Bruno Silvestrini, offers parents of those who receive Baptism practical advice, concrete recommendations on the path of faith that they have decided to undertake together with their children. Taking care of them, explains Father Bruno, does not only mean taking care of their material needs, but also, and above all, their spiritual needs, to help them be “authentic Christians”. “Your children are the future of the world – he insists – and the future will be more beautiful if you know how to educate them for life”.

The “Pope’s parish”, also known as the Palafrenieri (gentlemen of the court), is a spectacle of joy, the result of choices made over several months. Since some of the parents assisted by the Santa Marta Dispensary decided to have the “latest arrivals” of the family baptized, a remarkable organizational machine has been set in motion. All the members of the “Dispensary family” have given a hand to give substance to this unique project. The parents, first of all, have followed a preparation course to make a choice made above all with the heart more aware and they have done so under the loving guidance of Valentina. Sister Antonietta Collacchi, the person in charge of the Dispensary, together with the hardworking support of the volunteers, some of whom have also become godmothers and godfathers, has taken care of the rest.