Do you know anyone who has more than two or three kids? 

Returning to the site where they wed just over 20 years ago, Rob and Cecilia “Sam” Fatzinger entered the historic chapel at Sacred Heart Parish in Bowie to celebrate the Baptism of their 12th child, Kolbe Peter Fatzinger on Oct. 3. 

Washington Auxiliary Bishop Martin Holley baptized the baby with assistance from three seminarians – including Joshua Fatzinger, Kolbe’s older brother. After the sacrament, the bishop gently lifted the 18-day-old infant and presented him to family members and friends gathered in the chapel. Bishop Holley then announced, “Kolbe Peter, you are now baptized and initiated into the Catholic Church.”

Earlier the prelate told participants through the beautiful sacrament of marriage, Kolbe’s parents became co-creators with God – and the new baby is a “product of that love,” Bishop Holley added. 

“Out of the sacrament of marriage is born all the other sacraments,” Bishop Holley later said. “The graces from (his parents’) marriage continues to be perpetuated in the life of this young boy – who will eventually make a decision of his own life,” whether that choice be marriage, a vocation to the religious life or a faithful lay person.

As the eighth of 14 children, Bishop Holley seemed right at home in front of the Fatzinger family. A large family teaches you Gospel truths, Bishop Holley noted. Children learn about God’s love through their parents – their first teachers. Later, children are taught how to love their neighbors by learning to love their siblings. “We often refer to the family as the ‘domestic church,'” Bishop Holley told the Catholic Standard. 

He pointed out the younger children in the family who were gathered around their older siblings and parents watching them intently. “All eyes are looking at their parents,” Bishop Holley said. “The graces that come from marriages, are important for society, and so important for the continuation of the Church,” Bishop Holley said. “Marriage gives life to all the other sacraments.”

Family friend Peter Murphy called the Baptism “a beautiful witness to the faith.” Murphy, who also serves as the director of the archdiocesan Office of Family Life, said the Fatzinger family witnesses to God’s love and the joy of life in their everyday lives. “They are a large family, but are selfless and generous to others around them. They are the ones helping the community,” he added. “That is what family is all about.”

There’s more at the Catholic Standard link.  Bless ’em.  Every one of ’em.