For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Baptism is the first sacrament of Christian initiation. Through Baptism we are freed from the darkness of our world, we become sons and daughters of God and are embraced into the family of the Church. Catholic families are encouraged to baptise their children soon after birth, however, sometimes people are baptised later, or even as adults. Whether we are baptised as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.
Reception
Baptism is celebrated only once in a person's life. If a baptised Christian from another denomination wishes to become a Catholic, he or she is not re-baptised but rather is received into communion with the Catholic Church through a simple ceremony of commitment, followed by the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.