Baptism, the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation are known as the 'Sacraments
of Initiation' because they enable a person to enter into the full Chrisitian
life.
Holy Baptism holds the first place among the Sacraments, because it is the
door of the spiritual life and by it, we are made members of Christ and
incorporated with the Church. Because baptism is the beginning of our life
in Christ, in the Spirit, and in the Church, it is required before reception
of the other sacraments.
"To baptize" literally means "to plunge" or "to immerse" where "the plunge"
into the water symbolises the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from
which he rises up by resurrection with him, as a 'new creature'. To be baptized
is to be born anew.
As St Ambrose wrote:
|
"See where you are baptized, see where Baptism comes from, if not from the
cross of Christ, from his death. There is the whole mystery: He died for you.
In Him you are redeemed, in Him you are saved." |
Water, the primary sign of baptism, symbolises both refreshment and new life.
As defined by the Roman Catechism, "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration
by water in the Word (per aquam in verbo)".
Baptism is administered by pouring water on the head of the candidate and
saying at the same time:
‘I baptise you [name of person to be baptised] in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’
Priests or deacons administer Baptism, though in a case of necessity anyone
may baptise if the proper matter and form be used and the one conferring the
sacrament really "intends to perform what the Church performs".
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