Holy Baptism is the "basis of the whole Christian life" and the "gateway to life in the Spirit" (CCC 1213). By it, God gives us unfathomable gifts:

• the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in our souls making us His holy temple

• He infuses within our souls:

  • His sanctifying grace

  • the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit,

  • and the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity (Love) 

• Christ makes us a part of His very self, and therefore also a part of the Church (which is His Mystical Body) and a member in the priesthood of all believers

• His holy presence washes away Original Sin and, if we are above the Age of Reason when baptized, also washes away Personal Sin and any accrued temporal punishment due to our sinfulness

• the waters of Baptism usher us into participate in the other sacraments

• Holy Baptism, by uniting us to Christ, makes us pleasing to the Father and ennobles us to follow Christ as we grow in grace and holiness

By choosing Holy Baptism for your child, you are asking God to make them His adopted son or daughter, and are saying by your actions that you desire for them these bountiful gifts of grace throughout their lives. The glory of Baptism requires that we prepare ourselves so that we can help our children continually unwrap these gifts as they grow in their Christian identity. It is a beautiful and solemn promise we make on their behalf--let us make our homes "domestic churches" where our little ones can know what love the Father has for them!