• 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 sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." (CCC 1213)

• To baptize (Greek baptizein) means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, "a new creature." (CCC 1214)

• From the very day of Pentecost the Church has celebrated and administered holy Baptism...The apostles and their collaborators offer Baptism to anyone who believed in Jesus: Jews, the God-fearing, pagans. (CCC 1226)

• Baptism is a bath that purifies, justifies and sanctifies. (CCC 1227)

• Every person not yet baptized and only such a person is able to be baptized. (CIC can. 864; CCC 1246)

• Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called. (CCC 1250)

• For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents' help is important. So too is the role of the godfather and godmother, who must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized-child or adult-on the road of Christian life. (CCC 1255)

• The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them...The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." (CCC 1257)

• As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God... Jesus' tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,"  allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism. (CCC 1261)

• There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each. (CIC can. 873)



• Prerequisites for Sponsors (CIC can. 874)
• Be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place (legal guardian)
• Be at least 16 years old.
• Be a Catholic who leads a life of faith, must be fully initiated (baptism, holy communion, confirmation). If married they must be married in the Catholic Church.
• Not be under any canonical penalty
• Not be the father or mother of the person who is to be baptized
• Baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.