What is Baptism?

Baptism is the first sacrament received and it is called, along with Confirmation and Eucharist, a Sacrament of Christian Initiation. This sacrament lays the very foundation of the Christian life. Baptism means a "plunging or immersion into the water symbolizing a burial into Christ's death and arising as a new creature as in Christ's resurrection" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1214). It is also called the washing of regeneration and renewal, because in the case of adults, not only original sin but also personal sins are removed completely through the sacrament (Catechism, #1215). The trinitarian formula is used for the sacrament while the water is poured over the person's head or during his immersion into water: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." It should be noted that when Baptism is administered in any other Christian denomination using the pouring of water and the trinitarian formula, the Church considers that Baptism valid and will not baptize that person again if he or she becomes Catholic. At the Easter Vigil, those who were already validly baptized in the past make a profession of faith in the teachings of the Catholic Church, which they are now embracing. Those who are baptized at this service need not receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation since all sins were forgiven. Those baptized earlier will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the Vigil Service to prepare themselves for their first Holy Communion.