Early rite (7)
I believe the answer is:
baptism
'early rite' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for baptism that I've seen before include "Initiation; christening" , "Religious rite of purification with water" , "Initiation ceremony" , "Christian sacrament requiring pouring of water" , "Christian sacrament that symbolises admission to the church" .)