THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF
THE CHURCH THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION THE SACRAMENT
OF BAPTISM 1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian
life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis
ianua),4 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."5 I. WHAT
IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED? 1214 This sacrament is called Baptism,
after the central rite by which it is carried out: 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, as "a
new creature."6 1215 This sacrament is also called "the washing
of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit," for it
signifies and actually brings