THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS Sacraments of Initiation Sacraments of

THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS • • • Sacraments of Initiation Sacraments of Healing Sacraments at the Service of Communion

What is a Sacrament? � CCC 1131: The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.

I. Sacraments of Initiation � � � 1) Baptism 2) Eucharist 3) Confirmation

1) Baptism � Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation. In baptism, a person is cleansed of Original Sin and given sanctifying grace. This makes a person a child of God and part of Christ’s Church. � Christians are baptized just like Jesus was when He was baptized by John the Baptist. He didn’t need to be forgiven of sin, but He was baptized to show us what we needed to do to be forgiven of sin. He told us that we needed to be baptized: � John 3: 3, 5: Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above. ”…Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. � What formula is used for baptism?

Trinitarian Formula � The Trinitarian formula is what is needed for a valid baptism. For a baptism to work, the baptizer needs to have the right intention, use water, and use the Trinitarian formula, saying, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. ” This comes from the words of Jesus. � Matthew 28: 18 -20: Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. ”

Who can baptize? � CCC 1256 The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, also the deacon. 57 In case of necessity, anyone, even a non-baptized person, with the required intention, can baptize 58 , by using the Trinitarian baptismal formula. The intention required is to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes. The Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation.

Who can be baptized? Infants OR Adults Both infants and adults can be baptized. For infants, baptism washes away original sin only. For adults, baptism washes away both a) original sin and b) any actual sins committed up to that point. When an adult is going to be baptized in the Catholic Church, he or she is called a catechumen.

2) Eucharist � � During Mass, Catholics celebrate both the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the first part, we listen to readings from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. In the second part, we recreate Jesus’ celebration of the Last Supper with His disciples at the Jewish feast of Passover. Our participation in the Eucharist is a participation in the Paschal Mystery: the passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ.

The Last Supper: The Words of Institution � Matthew 26: 26 -28: � The Lord’s Supper. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body. ” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.

The Real Presence � We believe that Jesus becomes fully present in the Eucharist at each Mass. The priest repeats the words said by Christ at the Last Supper, the Words of Institution, and the bread and wine become (through transubstantiation) the body and blood of Jesus. Baptized Catholics (who have been prepared!) then receive Jesus in Holy Communion. When you receive the Eucharist for the first time, this is called First Communion. � When we receive Jesus, we receive sanctifying grace. We are forgiven of venial sins and strengthened in our spiritual journey to grow closer to God. He nourishes our spiritual lives. � Inside a Catholic Church, the Eucharistic host is kept in what is called the tabernacle. Outside of the Mass itself, the Eucharist can be adored by Catholics when it is placed into a monstrance for Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. �

Bread of Life � John 6: 48 -56: I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. ” The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat? ” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.

Guidelines � Catholics should normally have fasted for one hour prior to receiving the Eucharist (excluding water and medicine). � Catholics should not receive the Eucharist in normal circumstances if they have performed any unconfessed mortal sins. They should first go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, confess and be forgiven of those sins, and then receive communion during Mass. � CCC 1389: The Church obliges the faithful to take part in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days and, prepared by the sacrament of Reconciliation, to receive the Eucharist at least once a year, if possible during the Easter season. But the Church strongly encourages the faithful to receive the holy Eucharist on Sundays and feast days, or more often still, even daily.

3) Confirmation � Confirmation is another sacrament of initiation in which the baptized Christian, who has already received the Holy Spirit in baptism, receives the Spirit again in a different way. The Spirit bestows on each person the 7 Gifts of the Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord (a. k. a. wonder and awe). �

Confirmation � The person who usually administers this sacrament is the bishop. He can delegate this to the local priest if he is not available, however. � In the Eastern Catholic Churches, infants are usually 1) baptized, 2) confirmed, and then 3) given holy communion, all in the same ceremony. In the West, instead we are usually 1) baptized as infants, 2) given the Eucharist after we reach the age of reason, and 3) confirmed later after we have been prepared and taught the meaning of the sacrament. (See CCC 1290 -1292)

Where is it in the Bible? � Acts 8: 14 -17: Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit. � Acts 19: 1 -6: While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and came (down) to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the holy Spirit when you became believers? ” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a holy Spirit. ” He said, “How were you baptized? ” They replied, “With the baptism of John. ” Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus. ” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid [his] hands on them, the holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

The Rite of Confirmation � CCC 1300: The essential rite of the sacrament follows. In the Latin rite, "the sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words: 'Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti' [Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. ]. “ � Chrism is the name of the oil used for the oil in this sacrament. It has been blessed by the bishop.

II. Sacraments of Healing � � 4) Reconciliation 5) Anointing of the Sick

4) Reconciliation � What do Catholics do if we sin after we are baptized? � Because Jesus knew this would happen, He gave the Apostles the authority to forgive sins in His name. The bishops and priests who succeeded them have this authority and can forgive both mortal and venial sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Penance.

John 20: 19 -23: � On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you. ” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. [Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. ” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained. ”

Confession � Confession can be broken down into a number of steps: � 1) “Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been _____ since my last confession. ” 2) Penitent (person confessing) then lists since last confession as best as he or she can. 3) Priest provides spiritual guidance and advice and gives the penitent a penance to perform (e. g. , saying 3 Hail Marys) 4) Penitent says the Act of Contrition. 5) Priest absolves (forgives) the penitent of all sins committed, (including any about which the penitent may have forgotten!) and tells penitent to go in peace. 6) Penitent leaves and performs assigned penance (it is best, if possible and practical, to do this as soon as possible). � � �

Act of Contrition � O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen. Or: � O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do good, avoid evil, and to amend my life. Amen.

Remember: � Mortal sins are spiritually deadly sins, so sins that cut a person off from a saving relationship with God. Venial sins are spiritually damaging, yet undeadly, sins that hurt one’s relationship with God without destroying it. � Both kinds of sins can be forgiven during Confession (venial sins can be forgiven through Communion). � While you should perform your assigned penance, your forgiveness isn’t “on hold” until you complete it. You are forgiven the moment the priest says the Words of Absolution.

Words of Absolution � CCC 1449: The formula of absolution used in the Latin Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: the Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of his Son and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church: � God, the Father of mercies, through the death and the resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

5) Anointing of the Sick � During Jesus’ time on earth, He cured people of physical, as well as spiritual, illnesses. The Apostles did the same. � Bishops and priests do this today, although the emphasis is on spiritual healing. People are not always physically cured/healed by this sacrament, although it is possible.

� Mark 6: 13: They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. � Mark 16: 18: They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. ” � James 5: 14 -15: Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.

� CCC 1513: The Apostolic Constitution Sacram unctionem infirmorum, following upon the Second Vatican Council, established that henceforth, in the Roman Rite, the following be observed: � The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly blessed oil - pressed from olives or from other plants - saying, only once: "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up. “

CCC: � 1528 The proper time for receiving this holy anointing has certainly arrived when the believer begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age. � 1529 Each time a Christian falls seriously ill, he may receive the Anointing of the Sick, and also when, after he has received it, the illness worsens.

� Viaticum (food for the journey) – when a sick person is nearing death, he or she may receive the Eucharist, with or without the Anointing of the Sick. When the Anointing is not given, a deacon or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion may distribute viaticum to the sick.

III. Sacraments at the Service of Communion � � 6) Holy Orders 7) Matrimony

6) Holy Orders � Holy Orders refers to the sacrament in which a baptized Catholic male is ordained and becomes a deacon, priest or bishop. � Only bishops can perform this sacrament. Today’s bishops form the most recent link in the chain of Apostolic Succession, going all the way back to the Apostles themselves. The Apostles appointed successors and ordained them, who then ordained their own successors, etc. , all the way to today.

Deacons, Priests and Bishops, Oh My

What can each order do? Deacons Priests Bishops Read the Gospel, give the Homily Yes Yes Baptize Yes Distribute Communion Yes Celebrate the Eucharist No Yes Anoint the Sick No Yes Confirm No Yes (with Bishop’s permission) Yes Ordain No Yes

� Acts 6: 3 -6: Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, 4 whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. ” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. � 1 Corinthians 4: 5: Even if you should have countless guides to Christ, yet you do not have many fathers, for I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. � 1 Timothy 3: 1 -3: This saying is trustworthy: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money.

� CCC 1576: Since the sacrament of Holy Orders is the sacrament of the apostolic ministry, it is for the bishops as the successors of the apostles to hand on the "gift of the Spirit, " the "apostolic line. " Validly ordained bishops, i. e. , those who are in the line of apostolic succession, validly confer the three degrees of the sacrament of Holy Orders. � CCC 1586: Father, you know all hearts. You have chosen your servant for the office of bishop. May he be a shepherd to your holy flock, and a high priest blameless in your sight, ministering to you night and day; may he always gain the blessing of your favor and offer the gifts of your holy Church. Through the Spirit who gives the grace of high priesthood grant him the power to forgive sins as you have commanded to assign ministries as you have decreed and to loose from every bond by the authority which you gave to your apostles. May he be pleasing to you by his gentleness and purity of heart, presenting a fragrant offering to you, through Jesus Christ, your Son. . � CCC 1587: � Lord, fill with the gift of the Holy Spirit him whom you have deigned to raise to the rank of the priesthood, that he may be worthy to stand without reproach before your altar to proclaim the Gospel of your kingdom, to fulfill the ministry of your word of truth, to offer you spiritual gifts and sacrifices, to renew your people by the bath of rebirth; so that he may go out to meet our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, your only Son, on the day of his second coming, and may receive from your vast goodness the recompense for a faithful administration of his order.

7) Matrimony � In matrimony, or marriage, a baptized Christian man and a baptized Christian woman perform the sacrament on one another and promise to love and cherish one another for life (e. g. , “Until death do us part”). Each person receives grace in order to better be able to do this. In the marriage ceremony, a priest presides and serves as a witness. �

CCC � 1626 The Church holds the exchange of consent between the spouses to be the indispensable element that "makes the marriage. " If consent is lacking there is no marriage. � 1627 The consent consists in a "human act by which the partners mutually give themselves to each other": "I take you to be my wife" - "I take you to be my husband. “ This consent that binds the spouses to each other finds its fulfillment in the two "becoming one flesh. "

More on Marriage � Jesus made marriage both monogamous and indissoluble (it cannot be terminated except by death). That means multiple spouses and divorce and remarriage are not permitted. � In cases where the Church holds that a true marriage never took place, a person may be able to obtain a “declaration of nullity, ” or an annulment. It is not a “Catholic divorce” because it determines that there was no real marriage in the first place.

� Matthew 19: 3 -9: Some Pharisees approached him, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever? ” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate. ” They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss [her]? ” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery. ” � Ephesians 5: 25 -28: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

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