Essential Rite of Baptism

Each sacrament confers two things upon those who celebrate them: 1) the religious reality or grace; and 2) the ecclesial, or "Church" reality, that in the case of baptism is referred to as the sacramental character.

Baptism is the foundational sacrament and the prerequisite for all the other sacraments. It unites us in Christ, establishes a covenant with God, and frees us from Original Sin, all personal sin, and all punishment due to sin.

The essential rite of baptism is made up of a form/matter. Form is the words that are used during the sacramental rite and matter is the objects or actions that we use during the sacramental rite. The essential rite of baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water over the person's head while invoking the name of the trinity. Every person that is not yet baptized can receive baptism. The ordinary ministers of baptism are bishops and priests. In cases of necessity, any person can baptize provided s/he has the intention of doing what the Church does.

The post-baptismal anointing with chrism marks the newly baptized as a member of Christ who is priest, prophet, and king. As priests, we are called to be holy and to make the world holy through our prayer and sacrifices. As prophets, we preach the gospel by what we say and what we do. As kings, we share in Christ's ministry as servant-king in working towards a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world.