Providence Holy Cross is welcoming former patients — some of their smallest ever, actually — for a celebration of the hospital’s success in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with treating babies born prematurely.

About 200 youngsters and their families are being invited to what’s likely to be an emotional reunion for some Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, when the children, many who needed critical care at birth, are expected to return with their families to Providence Holy Cross for a reunion and fall carnival with crafts and games.

“The day is designed to recognize the courage and commitment it takes for parents to stay strong while their infants struggle,” said Providence Holy Cross officials in a news release. “Bonds are formed among families and the NICU teams who work together to care for these tiny patients, now thriving thanks to advancements in neonatal care.”

These bonds often are formed during the weeks and months the babies stayed in the hospital’s care while delicate progress is carefully monitored.

Tiny at birth, some of these “preemies” are now about 5 years old, and while some  were once small enough to fit into a doctor’s hand, now they’ll be able to come back to whence they came from, and share messages of gratitude with the hospital staff that, in many cases, helped save their lives.

The hospital opened five years ago in October, as the first NICU serving the northern San Fernando Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley.   

Families are urged to take part in infants’ care, breast-feeding is encouraged and physicians, nurses and therapists provide care with excellence, compassion and respect.