Everyone who is born into this world enters an environment where the stain of sin exists. Sin opposes and rejects the will of God. Eventually, sin also influences humans. The sacramental application of baptism deals with our spiritual stains and we are cleansed.

The Sacrament of baptism is preferable by immersion in water [water being the obvious symbol of the Living Water of Christ] with a person who desires to make a profession of faith as an adult, or by faith for a couple to unite their baby to the body of Christ, the Church. If baptism by immersion is not available or desired, it is sufficient to pour water over the person's head three times, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  This too is a washing and also represents the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.   

In baptism, the water is both an agent of death and life.  The "old man" [old nature] of sin is put to "death" as the person enters into Christ's death on the cross just as the Egyptians were killed in the waters that saved Israel as they made their exodus out of Egypt.  In either form of baptism as the person emerges from the water they are joining in the victorious resurrection of Christ, the Paschal Mystery, and becomes a new creation sealed by the Holy Spirit.  They are a member of Christ and with Christ become a joint heir of the kingdom of heaven.   In baptism, sins are washed away and the gift of eternal life is given.  [Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; John 3:5, 15:4-6; Acts 2:38, 22:16; Roman 6:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians. 3:27; Colossians. 2:10-13; 1 Peter. 3:18-21].

Each person to be baptized is presented by two believing sponsors.   In the case of an adult, the sponsors witness to the church of the baptized person's conversion and commitment.  In the case of children the Godparents pledge that they will see that the child is raised in the faith and in the Church.   In all cases, the sponsors continue to provide spiritual guidance for the new Christian.

Each time we enter into the church sanctuary we bless ourselves with  "Holy" water, which recalls for us our Baptism.  This sign is an indication of our continued willingness to be faithful to our baptismal promise to die to self and sin and live only for God. It is also a prayer to the Lord, that He who began a good work in us on the day of our baptism, will complete that work until He comes again.