This ritual was extremely important to Perpetua because she actually participated in it and was greatly persecuted for participating. Baptism is used to convert people to Christianity by anointing them with holy oils, immersing them in holy water, anointing them again, 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, the people in the process of conversion, from their old life as Romans. By alienating them from their old lives, it made it easier for converts to completely cut ties with their old lives and families. This is important because to be “born again” they cannot be mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, etc. They simply need to become brothers or sisters in Christ. When they cut ties and participated in the baptismal rite, they were officially reborn into Christianity. This ritual has redemption written all over it. Christians see themselves as having an essentially sinful nature, which they address through Christianity. When people convert, they seek redemption by being born again into Christianity with that sinful nature, but have the promise that their sins will be forgiven because Christ died for them. This ritual profoundly influenced Perpetua's identity. She considers herself primarily a Christian and this ritual is