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Introduction to the Sacraments
Christ's miracles in the Gospel of John are referred to as "signs." A sacrament is a sacred sign that give God's grace (gift) to those who receive them.Sacraments also build up the body of Christ and give glory and praise to God. (Catechism of the Catholic church 1131)
Christ is present not just at the origin of the sacraments, but truly present and active in the celebration of them today. For this reason, sacraments do not just signify grace, but actually give grace. The Catechism explains, the sacraments are "efficacious" (that is, they actually "work") only because "in them Christ himself is at work: it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacraments signifies" (C 1127)
These seven sacraments touch all the important moments in the life of a Christian (C 1210): birth (Baptism), maturing (Confirmation), strengthening by food and drink (Eucharist), repair and restoration (Reconciliation [Penance]), service to others (Matrimony and Holy Orders), and healing and ultimate preparation for death (Anointing of the Sick). "There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life" (C 1210).
Christ's miracles in the Gospel of John are referred to as "signs." A sacrament is a sacred sign that give God's grace (gift) to those who receive them.Sacraments also build up the body of Christ and give glory and praise to God. (Catechism of the Catholic church 1131)
Christ is present not just at the origin of the sacraments, but truly present and active in the celebration of them today. For this reason, sacraments do not just signify grace, but actually give grace. The Catechism explains, the sacraments are "efficacious" (that is, they actually "work") only because "in them Christ himself is at work: it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacraments signifies" (C 1127)
These seven sacraments touch all the important moments in the life of a Christian (C 1210): birth (Baptism), maturing (Confirmation), strengthening by food and drink (Eucharist), repair and restoration (Reconciliation [Penance]), service to others (Matrimony and Holy Orders), and healing and ultimate preparation for death (Anointing of the Sick). "There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life" (C 1210).
Sacrament of Baptism
The word "baptism" comes from the Greek baptizein, which can be translated to mean immerse or plunge. In the early
years of the Church, this often took place in giant cisterns often shaped to resemble a cross. Those to be baptized stepped
into the cistern at one end and were immersed or plunged into the water to emerge on the other side. Baptism is a potent and rich sing of our belief in our salvation through Jesus Christ. It is a sign of initiation into the Church through which we are able to express our belief in Jesus and lead the life of a Christian. In the case of a child, the parent(s) express their faith in Christ and their willingness to raise the child in this faith. In Baptism we are signed with the cross of Jesus Christ marking us as true followers or disciples. Click Here for information regarding Baptisms requirements, classes and schedules.
The word "baptism" comes from the Greek baptizein, which can be translated to mean immerse or plunge. In the early
years of the Church, this often took place in giant cisterns often shaped to resemble a cross. Those to be baptized stepped
into the cistern at one end and were immersed or plunged into the water to emerge on the other side. Baptism is a potent and rich sing of our belief in our salvation through Jesus Christ. It is a sign of initiation into the Church through which we are able to express our belief in Jesus and lead the life of a Christian. In the case of a child, the parent(s) express their faith in Christ and their willingness to raise the child in this faith. In Baptism we are signed with the cross of Jesus Christ marking us as true followers or disciples. Click Here for information regarding Baptisms requirements, classes and schedules.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Upon receiving the baptism of John, Jesus saw the Spirit descending on Him and remaining with Him. He was led by the Spirit to undertake His public ministry as the Messiah. Prior to His suffering and death on the cross, Jesus assured His apostles that He would send the Spirit of truth from His Father to remain with them forever. On the feast of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit did indeed come down in an extraordinary way on the Apostles as they were gathered with Mary the Mother of Jesus and the group of disciples. They were so filled with the Holy Spirit that they began to proclaim the might works of the Lord.
Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian's soul; for this reason one can receive this sacrament only once in one's life. (C 1317) Click Here for more information about Confirmation.
Upon receiving the baptism of John, Jesus saw the Spirit descending on Him and remaining with Him. He was led by the Spirit to undertake His public ministry as the Messiah. Prior to His suffering and death on the cross, Jesus assured His apostles that He would send the Spirit of truth from His Father to remain with them forever. On the feast of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit did indeed come down in an extraordinary way on the Apostles as they were gathered with Mary the Mother of Jesus and the group of disciples. They were so filled with the Holy Spirit that they began to proclaim the might works of the Lord.
Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian's soul; for this reason one can receive this sacrament only once in one's life. (C 1317) Click Here for more information about Confirmation.
Sacrament of the Eucharist
The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
Click Here, for more information on the Eucharist.
The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
Click Here, for more information on the Eucharist.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
"Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example and by prayer labors for their conversion." Lumen gentium-J.P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Graeca
It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: "Be reconciled to God." He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's call: "Go; first be reconciled to your brother."
"So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 2 Cor 5:20 Click Here for more information and Reconciliation times.
"Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example and by prayer labors for their conversion." Lumen gentium-J.P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Graeca
It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: "Be reconciled to God." He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's call: "Go; first be reconciled to your brother."
"So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 2 Cor 5:20 Click Here for more information and Reconciliation times.
Sacrament of Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. The word order in Roman antiquity designated an established civil body, especially a governing body. Integration into one of these bodies in the church was accomplished by a rite called ordinatio, a religious and liturgical act which was a consecration, a blessing or a sacrament. Today the word "ordination" is reserved for the sacramental act which integrates a man into the order of bishops, presbyters, or deacons.
The sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred by the laying on of hands followd by a solemn prayer of consecration asking God to grant the ordinand the graces of the Holy Spirit required for his ministry. Click Here for more information.
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. The word order in Roman antiquity designated an established civil body, especially a governing body. Integration into one of these bodies in the church was accomplished by a rite called ordinatio, a religious and liturgical act which was a consecration, a blessing or a sacrament. Today the word "ordination" is reserved for the sacramental act which integrates a man into the order of bishops, presbyters, or deacons.
The sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred by the laying on of hands followd by a solemn prayer of consecration asking God to grant the ordinand the graces of the Holy Spirit required for his ministry. Click Here for more information.
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
"By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayers of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ."-Lumen Gentium
The Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthn those who are being tried by illness. "This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful by James the apostle.-CoT (1551)
Click Here for information and schedules for this Sacrament.
"By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayers of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ."-Lumen Gentium
The Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthn those who are being tried by illness. "This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful by James the apostle.-CoT (1551)
Click Here for information and schedules for this Sacrament.
Sacrament of Marriage
"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament."-CIC, can. 1055
In the Latin Rite the celebration of marriage between two Catholic faithful normally takes place during Holy Mass, because of the connection of all the sacraments with the Pazchal mystery of Christ.
Click Here for information regarding the process of the Sacrament of Marriage
"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament."-CIC, can. 1055
In the Latin Rite the celebration of marriage between two Catholic faithful normally takes place during Holy Mass, because of the connection of all the sacraments with the Pazchal mystery of Christ.
Click Here for information regarding the process of the Sacrament of Marriage
