The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist

The “Sacraments of Christian Initiation”—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist—lay the foundations of every Christian life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, the faithful receive “in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity.”

Baptism “Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 From the Greek for “washing” Customarily administered to infants Baptism is the gateway into life in the Spirit and thus the Family of God (the Church) One is “born again”---justified---in the waters of Baptism “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’” –John 3:5 Baptism washes the soul clean of all sin, including original sin---as well as all consequences for sin Supernatural grace is infused into the soul An indelible mark (character) is left on the baptized soul that nothing can erase---you belong to Christ

Confirmation: Sealed and Sent “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on them-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and respect of the LORD.”—Isaiah 11:2 “Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 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 8:14-17 Sometimes referred to as the Sacrament of Maturity You “confirm” at Confirmation the decision others made for you at Baptism---become an adult in the Faith Customarily received around age 16, and administered by the Bishop Sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, strengthened in their Christian life, and sent out to be an ambassador of Christ, and His Good News You receive seven special graces to accomplish this new mission Knowledge, wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, reverence and respect for God

The Eucharist: “Give us this day our daily bread…”

One of the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church Sacrament: “mystery”; visible sign of an invisible grace; infuses supernatural life into the soul Eucharist: “thanksgiving”; the consecrated host and wine Celebrates both Christ’s death and resurrection “Transubstantiation”---the act by which the substances of bread and wine are truly changed into the glorified Body and Blood of Jesus (cf. John 6:52-54)---and thus consecrated Divine mystery we cannot fully understand, but accept by faith as an essential teaching Always taught by the Church, from the time of the Apostles on Specifically a “Sacrament of Initiation” (along with Baptism and Confirmation) -initiated into the sacramental life in Christ Also known as the ‘Lord’s Supper’ and ‘Holy Communion’ First received typically around the “age of reason”---7 to 8 years-old

The Institution of the Eucharist Mark 14:22-24 And as they were eating, he took bread, and when he had blessed, he brake it, and gave to them, and said, ‘Take ye: this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.’ Matthew 26:26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, ‘Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins.’ 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me.’ In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.’ Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.’ And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you.’

The Eucharist: What did Jesus say? 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ 53 So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ -(John 6: 48-58)

Questions: In the secular world, what are rituals of ‘initiation’ and maturity (i.e. where one is brought into a new way of life)? Family/social/professional? Why do rituals of initiation matter? What does it mean to you that the Church has Sacraments of Initiation spanning all of life---from birth to death? Any personal sharing about your experience of the Sacraments of Initiation?