This ritual was extremely important to Perpetua because she actually participated in it and was greatly persecuted for her participation. Baptism is used to convert people to Christianity by anointing them in holy oils, dipping them in holy water, anointing them again, and then wrapping them in white robes to symbolize the purity of their new state ( p.76). This ritual was deliberately deeply alienating to separate the catechumens, people in the process of conversion, from their former life as Romans. By removing them from their old lives, it was easier for converts to completely cut ties with their old lives and families. This is important because to be “reborn” they cannot be mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, etc. They must simply become brothers or sisters in Christ. When they cut their ties and participated in the ritual of baptism, they were officially reborn into Christianity. This ritual is marked by a need for redemption. Christians see themselves as having an essentially sinful nature, which they combat through Christianity. When people convert, they seek redemption by being reborn to Christianity with this sinful nature, but they have the promise that their sins will be forgiven because Christ died for them. This ritual very deeply influenced Perpetua's identity. She considers herself above all a Christian and this ritual is