The first of the sacraments is Baptism in which the person to be baptised becomes a member of Christ’s Church. Christ himself was baptised by John the Baptist in the River Jordan at the beginning of his public ministry. In St Matthew’s Gospel he sends out his disciples with the instruction “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

During the Rite of Baptism water is poured on the head of the candidate or the candidate is immersed in water in the same way that Christ was baptized in water. For baptism to be valid it must also be in the name of the Most Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Baptism does not simply confer membership of the Church, it also wipes away original sin which has been passed on to us from our first parents. In baptism we become a new creation in the Lord.

Baptism places an indelible mark on the soul, or a sign or character which consecrates us for God. Because of this the sacrament, once validly administered, can never be repeated. There is only one baptism. Baptism is essential for salvation and so the tradition in the Church has been to baptise people soon after birth. However, baptism can be administered at any age. In the case of infant baptism, the promises are made for the infants by their parents and godparents who also take on the responsibility of bringing the child up in the faith. Later in life, at Confirmation, the child will renew these promises for themselves. (Catechism 1213-1284)