The Sacraments
The seven sacraments – Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Reconciliation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick – are the life of the Catholic Church. Each Sacrament is an outward sign of an inward reality instituted by Jesus which imparts a special grace. In worship, we give to God that which we owe Him; in the Sacraments, He gives us the graces necessary to live a truly human life.
Baptism
The first of the seven sacraments, and the “door” which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the “sacraments of initiation” by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ.
Reconciliation
Confessing our sins out loud to another human being is good for us. The chief sin of mankind is pride, and confession is humbling – which is a good thing. There is also such a grace and joy to hearing a priest pray the words of mercy: “May God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Confirmation
Confirmation is the sacrament whereby God completes the graces of a person’s baptism and deepens His seal within them, marking them as belonging to Him (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13-14). When received within a life of faith, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through confirmation empowers us to live the Christian life, which we simply couldn’t do otherwise. Thus, it is not a person’s “adult choice to be Catholic,” rather it is God who chooses us, and we can then choose Him day by day.
Eucharist
In Holy Communion, prepare to meet the Lord Jesus in this special sacrament. The Rite of Holy Communion celebrates the second step toward full initiation into the Church. First Holy Communion is most often celebrated around the age of seven or eight, when the children are of the age of reason and are capable of participating in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. For First Holy Communion, you must go to the sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving Holy Communion. The Eucharist is a gift that takes a whole life time to understand; it is a gift that requires a response from us, that is why we must take care that our children are well prepared.
Marriage
In a sacramental marriage, God’s love becomes present to the spouses in their total union and also flows through them to their family and community. The sacrament of Christian marriage involves their entire life as they journey together and become more able to give to and receive from each other. Their life becomes sacramental to the extent that the couple cooperates with God’s action in their life and sees themselves as living “in Christ” and Christ living and acting in their relationship, attitudes, and actions.
Anointing of the Sick
Christ, understanding human illness, gave his Church the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick so all the baptized can access and experience his healing Spirit. This sacrament of mercy and healing is administered to the dying as well as to those who are gravely ill or about to undergo a serious operation. The Sacrament of Anointing offers prayers for recovery, but primarily gives spiritual healing and the Holy Spirit’s peace and courage for the difficulties of illness or the frailty of old age.
Holy Orders
In Jesus’ earthly life, Jesus gave a share in his priesthood to the 12 apostles. In turn, the priesthood has been handed on through the authority of the Church for two millennia. The priesthood is not a position of power, but of service (Matthew 20:25-28, John 13:2-20).
Priests carry on the ministry of Jesus through the sacraments and the preaching of the Gospel, and they are called to strengthen the people of God so they might too be the light of the world.