INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRAMENTS

SEVEN SACRAMENTS Within the Catholic Church there are seven sacraments BAPTISM CONFIRMATION EUCHARIST PENANCE ANOINTING OF THE SICK ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD MARRIAGE

THE SACRAMENTS A sacrament is an outward sign accompanied by a prescribed form of words which confers a specific grace on those who receive it. Often referred to as: an outward sign of invisible grace The Catholic Church teaches that sacraments were instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church. It recognises seven sacraments, which can be grouped under three headings:

THE SACRAMENTS Sacraments of Initiation Sacraments of Healing Sacraments of Vocation/Ministry/ Sacraments at the service of communion

SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION Baptism is the first sacrament. It incorporates us into the Church and through it we are ‘reborn’ as daughters and sons of God. Baptism is performed by immersion in or pouring of water and the words ‘I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’. Symbols of Baptism are water, oil, white garment and candle

SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION Confirmation is the sacrament which ‘seals’ or ‘reaffirms’ our baptism before we take the final step in becoming a full member of the Catholic Church of sharing in Holy Communion for the first time. The sign for confirmation is the anointing with chrism with the laying on of hands and the words ‘Be sealed with the gift of Holy Spirit’.

SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION Symbols of Confirmation COMMUNITY BAPTISM OIL LAYING OF HANDS WORDS BISHOP EUCHARIST

SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION Eucharist is the central sacrament from which all the other sacraments derive their meaning. At the Eucharist, Christ is present to his Church in the proclamation of the scriptures, in the people who gather to worship, in the priest celebrant and, especially, in the Eucharistic elements which we believe are the Body and Blood of Christ.

SACRAMENTS OF HEALING AND FORGIVENESS Penance or Reconciliation is a celebration of God’s love and mercy after a process of conversion of heart. The rite includes confessing our sins and receiving the forgiveness of God through the ministry of the priest. Through this process, a person is reconciled with the Church and continues to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

SACRAMENTS OF HEALING AND FORGIVENESS Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of the Church for those whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age. It is a source of healing for the sick rather than the ‘last rites’ for the dying as it was once known. In the celebration, the sick person is anointed with the oil of the sick. He or she experiences the healing and strength of Jesus Christ and the support of the praying community

SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION Marriage celebrates and witnesses the covenant of love between two people and symbolises in that union Christ’s covenant of love for the Church. The Catholic Church believes that the marriage bond is sacred and permanent. In the wedding ceremony the bride and groom administer the sacrament to each other by their declaration of consent. In this awesome and holy act, they are filled with the Holy Spirit who strengthens them for their life together.

SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION Holy Orders or Ordination is a sacrament of service through which the mission which Christ entrusted to his apostles continues to be carried out by the Church. Through a special gift of the Holy Spirit, this sacrament enables the ordained to exercise a sacred power in the name and authority of Christ to serve the People of God. There are three degrees of ordination in the Catholic Church: bishop, priest and deacon.