Key rituals of infant baptism in the Catholic Church

• Signing of the cross on child's forehead by priest, parents and godparents- a sign that the child belongs to Christ
• Blessing of the baptismal water- so that the child, though the water, can be 'born of water and the Spirit'
• Renunciation of sin and affirmation of faith by parents and godparents
• Dipping the child in the water or pouring water on the child three times, with the spoken words 'I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit'- the central act of baptism, symbolising the washing away of sin, and union with Christ in his death (being immersed in the water) and resurrection (being lifted from the water)
• Concluding words, the Lord's Prayer and blessing of child, parents and congregation- a reminder of the meaning of baptism and of the parents' duty to ensure the child receives the other two rites of initiation