Babies named Joseph get free baptism today

MANILA, Philippines - Babies named Joseph will be baptized for free if they are brought to the San Jose Manggagawa Parish in Manuguit, Tondo today.

The church is offering the free baptism as its way of marking Labor Day, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said.

St. Joseph is regarded as the patron saint of laborers.  

Children to be christened Joseph or other names derived from it like Jose, Josefa, Josefina and Josephine are entitled to free baptism at 11 a.m., parish priest Fr. Bobby Titco said.

Another highlight of the celebration is the Kasalang Bayan (mass wedding) at 9:30 a.m.