Baptism
Baptism
In the Catholic Church, Baptism is the sacrament through which a person is freed from sin, reborn as a child of God, and welcomed into the Church. It is the first sacrament of initiation and is necessary for salvation, as it unites the baptized with Christ and makes them members of His Body, the Church.
Who can be baptized?
Anyone who has not already been baptized can receive Baptism.
- Infants and children are baptized with the consent of their parents or guardians, who promise to raise them in the Catholic faith.
- Older children, teens, and adults can be baptized if they express faith in Christ and complete a period of preparation (often through OCIA*). *Please see our OCIA tab underneath Faith Formation for further information.
How does Baptism take place?
Baptism is administered by a priest or deacon (and in emergencies, anyone may baptize with the proper intention).
The sacrament is celebrated by:
- Pouring water over the person’s head or immersing them in water
- While saying the Trinitarian formula:
“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Through Baptism, the person is cleansed of sin, receives new life in Christ, and becomes a member of the Catholic Church.
