The Seven Sacraments

Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist,Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick,

Holy Orders, Marriage

SacramentsSacrament: An efficacious sign of grace,

instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit.

-CCC 1131

Efficacious means effective. The sacraments make us holy.

Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism

Confirmation

Holy Eucharist

blood (Eucharist) & water (Baptism)

BaptismJohn 3:5 “No one can enter the kingdom of God

without being born of water and Spirit.”

In cases of necessity, even an un-baptized person can baptize.

Effects:1. purification/sanctification

(original & personal sin)2. rebirth

(requires future growth)

Crossing the Red Sea

Adult baptism -throughout scripture-RCIA

Infant baptism Acts 16:31-33 -entire households-certainly since 2nd century

Trinitarian formula (form) & water (matter)

Once baptized always (Indelible mark)

New existenceAdopted child of God the FatherMember of Christ’s body (Church)Temple of Holy Spirit

Baptismal priesthood

Concupiscence remains

Confirmation

ConfirmationEffects:

“Confirms” & strengthens baptism.

Empowers us to be true witnesses of Jesus.

Perpetuates grace of Pentecost

 

NEED: laying on of hands, oil for anointing

East & WestEast: Confirmed as infants“Chrismation” – anointed with chrism

Confirmation

“Christian” means “anointed.”

Symbolism of Anointingabundance (oil is costly)cleansing healing (soothes wounds)beautifies

Seal of Holy Spirit.

Eucharist

Jesus is the Passover Lamb

Last Supper

Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.

Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.

Consecration

Holy Communionnourishes the soul.True presence, Christ hasn’t

abandoned us.Eucharistia means thanksgivingSymbolism of cup: martyrdom

St. Justin Martyr, 155ADOn the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country

gather in the same place. The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits.

When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.

Then we all rise together and offer prayers* for ourselves . . .and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.

When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss. Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to

him who presides over the brethren. He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe,

through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.

When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: 'Amen.'

When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent.

Sacraments of Healing

Reconciliation&

Anointing of the Sick

Reconciliation

God wants to forgive.

Effects: Sins forgiven

(eternal punishment)

Reconciled to God & Church

ReconciliationGod used priests to forgive and atone for

the sins of others. (Lev 5:4-6; 19:21-22)

"Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained." (Jn 20,23)

“And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Cor 5:18)

Who can forgive? What sins can be forgiven?

How often should I go?

I forgot how to make a confession.

Examination of Conscience(You will need a conscience.)

Confess.

Be absolved.

Do penance.

“sacramental seal” of confession

Anointing of the Sick

For those seriously ill or advanced in age.

Was called, “Extreme Unction.”

Can be repeated.

Priest administers sacrament.

Oil of the sick

“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.”

Effects:

Unites suffering to ChristStrength, peace, courageForgiveness of sinsPossibly the restoration of healthPreparation for final Passover

Sacraments of Service

Marriage

&

Holy Orders

MarriageCovenant not contract

“Till death do us part” indissoluble marriage bond

VowsFreeFaithfulFruitful

It’s natural.

Husband and wife are ministers. Priest witnesses.

Marriage is holy.Not destroyed in the flood.

Domestic Church

Building block of society.

Marital sex is holy. Renews marriage vows.

Holy Orders

It’s supernatural

a call from God, rather than a natural desire

Indelible mark, permanent change

Bishop: fullness of ordersacts in person of Christ the Head

Priest: coworkers of the bishop,acts in person of Christ the Head

Deacons: service of Christ

Symbols are important.

The symbols used during the sacraments help explain what’s happening.

What symbols are used?