Baptism

Baptism washes away the Original Sin of Adam and Eve that seperates man from God and keeps him from going to Heaven. Personal sin is also removed by Baptism.

A baptized person receives Sanctifying Grace which allows him to know Jesus and follow Him. Man becomes a child of God and an heir to the Kingdom of Heaven.

As the gateway to the sacramental life of the Church, the Sacrament of Baptism must be received before a person can receive any of the other sacraments.

The ordinary minister of Baptism is a deacon, priest, or bishop, although, in the event of an emergency, anyone can baptize.

The sacramental matter of Baptism is water. The person being baptized may be immersed in water or water can be poured or sprinkled over the head.

While the person is in contact with the water, the minister says the words of the sacramental form out loud: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

The Sacrament of Baptism leaves a permanent mark on the soul and can only be received once.

For those who are unaware of the necessity or are unable to receive Baptism by water, a Baptism of fire or Baptism of desire may enable that person to obtain a state of grace.

Necessary for salvation:

Sanctifying grace begins in Baptism:

A Sacrament of Initiation:

Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above. The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3: 3-8

Called to a new life in Christ:

Infusing God’s life into our souls:

A new creation:

Born again in the spirit:

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213

Something happens during Baptism:

Those who are baptized and by this means incorporated into Christ’s Mystical Body, His Church, must attach the greatest importance to this event. They must be acutely aware of being raised to a higher status, of being reborn to a supernatural life, there to experience the happiness of being God’s adopted sons, the special dignity of being Christ’s brothers, the blessedness, the grace and the joy of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Pope Paul VI, Ecclesiam Suam, August 6, 1964

God can save who He chooses:

The symbols of Baptism: