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 sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as the children of God; we become members of Christ and are incorporated into the Body of Christ, his Church. We are made also become sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the Word”.

Baptism (Greek ‘baptizein’) means to ‘plunge’ or ‘immerse’ into water. The water symbolises the catechument’s burial into Christ’s death and resurrection to be born anew. Having receive Baptism in the Word, the person has been enlightened, they become a Son of Light.

Baptism is also called “the regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit” for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of wter and the Spirit without which no one can “enter the Kingdom of God”.

Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift, so called it conferred on those who bring nothing of their own. Our Lord himself was baptised in the River Jordan by St John the Baptist as an act of obedience to God the Father: