Before we learn about the seven Catholic sacraments, we need to learn about what a sacrament is.

What is a sacrament? Definition #1  “God’s loving presence made visible and tangible in our life here and now”

What is a sacrament?  God’s presence Sacred, holy, but not just a nameless spirit, or “special feeling”  A loving presence a true experience of God must be an experience of love  visible and tangible an experience of the human senses ○ seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching  our life here and now an experience of God today, while we are alive, not just after we die

 a special appreciation of the sacred (that is, God) in the world In our daily class prayer we say: “Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God”

 lack of awareness of the sacred in everyday life  Causes of sacramental dullness:  Busyness, distraction  Pain and suffering  Ignorance: Not knowing what to look for or where to look

Sacramental moments  After developing sacramental awareness, we may begin to see God and the sacred in our daily lives “Finding God in all things” St. Ignatius of Loyola  These sacramental moments can come after long practice…  Or can be sudden and unexpected “Look at the stars…” “Remember who you are, Simba…”

 Definition #2  According to the Church, a Sacrament is… An outward sign of invisible grace… ◦ Outward sign  Each sacrament is visible and tangible  Each sacrament uses signs, symbols, and rituals ◦ Invisible grace  Each sacrament gives those who receive it certain gifts directly from God  Grace: A gift from God that helps us participate in a relationship with him

 According to the Church, a Sacrament is… An outward sign of invisible grace…  …instituted by Christ and entrusted to his Church ◦ Instituted by Christ  Each sacrament can be traced back to something Jesus Christ did during his ministry ◦ Entrusted to his Church  Each sacrament is the Church’s way of continuing the saving work of Christ in the world.

 Each Sacrament has certain symbols and rituals ◦ Symbol: something that represents something else  Some symbols are obvious: water, bread, oil  Some are less obvious  Ex. What are the symbols used in Reconciliation? ◦ Ritual: a series of repeated symbolic actions  The Church calls these “rites”  Involves words, gestures, objects

 Each Sacrament is efficacious, that is, it has certain effects on the person receiving it ◦ Example: Baptism  Main effect is initiation into the Church  It also cleanses a person from Original Sin  IMPORTANT!!! This cleansing is not just symbolic, but is actual. The water in Baptism really works.

 Each Sacrament has a long, rich history and has gone through many changes Questions to ask of each Scarament 1.How is it tied to events in the life of Jesus? 2.How was it practiced in early Church? 3.How has it developed and changed in the past 1500 years? What is it like today?

 Sacraments can be divided into three groups ◦ Sacraments of Initiation  Baptism  Confirmation  Eucharist ◦ Sacraments of Healing  Reconciliation (also called Penance)  Anointing of the Sick ◦ Sacraments of Vocation  Matrimony (also called Marriage)  Holy Orders

 Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation ◦ Considered “initiation rituals” because they make us full members of the Church community ◦ At Easter Vigil, new adult members of the Church receive all three of these Sacraments

 Reconciliation ◦ Heals our relationships with God and each other  Anointing of the Sick ◦ Heals our body, mind or soul

 Vocation means “calling” ◦ These sacraments affirm the life to which God has called us  Matrimony ◦ Called to share our life with another person  Holy Orders ◦ Called to dedicate our life in service to Christ and the community as a priest  Also called the Sacraments of Commitment, because those receiving are committing themselves to a way of life.