"Baptism takes away original sin, all personal sins and all punishment due to sin.  It makes the baptized person a participant in the divine life of the Trinity through sanctifying grace, the grace of justification which incorporates one into Christ and into his Church.  It gives one a share in the priesthood of Christ and provides the basis for communion with all Christians.  It bestows the theological virtues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  A baptized person belongs forever to Christ.  He is marked with the indelible seal of Christ (character)" (Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 263).