God's children

Pope Benedict's final engagement in Barcelona on Sunday is a visit to the church-run "Obra Benefico Social Den Deu" Institute that provides health care and psychological support for children and young adults with disabilities. Our correspondent in Barcelona, Lydia O'Kane, tells us more about the institute's work and how they are eagerly looking forward to the papal visit:

"Whilst all the attention for Pope Benedict's visit to Spain is being focused on the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela and the Temple of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, there is another place that is busily preparing for this very special guest.
Insert:...."for the children, for the teachers......"

The place in question is the Obra Benefico-Social Den Deu, an institution of the Archdiocese of Barcelona devoted primarily to people with disabilities, from infancy to adulthood, nestled quietly away contrasting with the bustling streets of this vibrant city. The institute was founded in 1892 and is run with the co-operation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

Inside the headquarters of this modern building, doctors, nurses and teachers go about their daily work tending to the needs of their young charges.
Insert: "I'm a teacher at the schoo, a specialist teacher....."

Maria Angelis Maya is a teacher here and works with those with a range of different disabilities.
Insert: "other problems are syndrome of down and autistic and behavioural .....

The institute also offers services to children and young adults from the ages of 2 to 20 years of age which include child psychology, homeopathy, cardiology and speech therapy.

During the Pope's brief stay in Barcelona the Nen Deu institute is the only other place the Pope will visit apart from the Sagrada Familia, and the excitement is mounting.
Insert: "We all feel very fortunate because the visit of Pope Benedict is a privilege...."

During his visit to the centre, the Holy Father will bless the foundation stone of a new residence to meet the many requests received from parents with disabled children who want to leave the situation resolved if their children become orphaned and are without family."

With Pope Benedict in Spain, I'm Lydia O'Kane.