Vatican City, Apr 11, 2018 / 06:43 am
Pope Francis spoke about the sacrament of Baptism on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of the Catholic practice of baptizing infants, since the grace of the Holy Spirit helps them to grow in virtue.
"Why baptize a child who does not understand?" the pope asked April 11. "When we baptize a child, the Holy Spirit enters that child, and the Holy Spirit makes... the Christian virtues grow inthat child, who will then flourish."
Though we hope that when a child grows up he or she will understand and desire Baptism for themselves, to withhold the sacrament from a child "means not trusting in the Holy Spirit," he said.
"We must always give this opportunity to everyone, to all children, to have inside of them the Holy Spirit that will guide them throughout their lives. Do not forget to baptize children!"