infant

• in the Catholic Church, baptism is a sacrament
• the Catholic Church practice infant baptism because:

  • it cleanses the child of original sin
  • water used in baptism is a symbol of God's grace
  • enables the Holy Spirit to begin the work of transformation in the child's life
  • the child becomes a member of the Christian Church + of the Kingdom of God
  • it is the first rite of initiation, opening up the other two rites of initiation: Holy Communion + Confirmation, and to the other sacraments