BAPTISM:  What is it?  What are its effects?

A booklet on the sacrament of Baptism by Sister Barbara Marie Stang, a Sister Adorer of the Precious Blood  pdf printable version

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters 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.’" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Art. 1213).