Baptism is the gateway to the other sacraments. It is a sacrament of initiation, as are Confirmation and Holy Communion. To be a Christian you must be baptized. By being baptized you bear the name of Christ. You have a new identity, you become a member of the Christian community, and part of the Body of Christ.

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During the Baptismal Rite we get new clothes (white garment), a lighted candle to show the way, water to cleanse us and help us grow, oil for strength, even a companion for the journey (sponsor). But this is only the beginning of the journey of faith.

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We must take care not to restrict Baptism to one single moment, or overlook that part of the sacrament which sees Baptism as the beginning of a journey. The journey always begins with an invitation, a call from God through the Christian community to live the Gospel as a committed disciple of Christ