BAPTISM

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.
Through Baptism:
we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God;
we become members of Christ,
are incorporated into the Church
and made sharers in her mission"
(CCC 1213).

Baptism leaves us permanently changed, no longer the person we once were, but a new person who dies to sin and rises to new life in Christ.

MEANING OF THE SYMBOLS

• The Sign of the Cross:

Signifies the grace of the redemption Christ won for us by his cross (CCC 1235).

• The Proclamation of the Word:

Enlightens the candidate, the parents, godparents, and the faithful with the truth revealed in Holy Scriptures (CCC 1236).

• The Exorcism:

The pronouncements over the candidate asking God to free him or her from sin and from the influence of its instigator, the devil (CCC 1237).

• The Water:

The water is consecrated through a prayer. The Church asks God that the Holy Spirit be sent upon the water so that the one being baptized may be born of water and the Spirit (CCC 1238).

• The Sacred Chrism:

The anointing with oil signifies the strength of the Holy Spirit given to the baptized to share in Christ's mission as priest, prophet, and king (CCC 1241).

• The Candle:

The baptized has received the light of Christ and will no longer be in spiritual darkness (CCC 1243).

• The White Garment:

Baptism has made the baptized's soul pure and white as snow. He or she has put on Christ and have risen with Christ (CCC 1243).

BAPTISM REQUIREMENTS

1. Age: infants to 6 years old. After 7 years of age, the child must be prepared through OCIA, Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
2. Pre-Baptism Preparation: the parents and godparents must attend an educational session so that they can understand the meaning and obligations attached to this sacrament (Canon Law 851). 
3. Parents: the parents of the candidate do not need to be Catholic to request the baptism of their child, nor do they need to be married in the Catholic Church. However, to facilitate the teaching of the faith and to model Christian life to their children, it is strongly encouraged that the parents convalidate their marriage as a sacrament.
4.  Godparents: a godparent helps the baptized person lead a Christian life. The following are the canonical requirements for godparents (Canon Law 874): 
   • There can be one male, one female, or one of each;
   • Be at least 16 years old;
   • Be a fully initiated Catholic: he or she must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation;
   • Not be bound by any canonical penalty; 
   • A person who is not Catholic cannot be a godparent, but can be a witness.