The Seven Sacraments

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines sacraments as “efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us” (CCC #1131). In other words, a sacrament is a sacred and visible sign that is instituted by Jesus to give us grace, an undeserved gift from God. The seven sacraments of the Church are at the heart of the liturgical and spiritual life of Catholics. 

There are three sacraments of initiation:

1. Baptism – is immersion in or pouring of water in the name of the Holy Trinity. It signifies being born again through incorporation into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and becoming a member of the Church.

2. Confirmation – is anointing with the blessed oil of chrism, prayer and laying of hands. It signifies being sealed by the Holy Spirit and strengthened to witness to the Christian faith.

3. Eucharist – fulfils Jesus’ command at the Last Supper to ‘do this’ in his memory. In accord with his word, Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. Participating in the eucharistic liturgy unites Catholics with Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection, fosters community, and provides nourishment for Christian living.

There are two sacraments of healing:

4. Penance (Reconciliation) – celebrates forgiveness through the confession of sins and the words of absolution by a priest. It effects reconciliation with God and with one another.

5. Anointing – uses blessed oil, prayer and the laying of hands on the sick and the frail. It unites them with Christ’s suffering and death and so gives them strength, comfort and peace in their time of trial.

There are two sacraments of commitment of service to others:

6. Holy Orders (Ordination) – is the laying on of hands by a bishop and the prayer of ordination which consecrates chosen men for ministry in the Church as deacons, priests and bishops to act in the name of Christ, in service of the community. Priests and bishops are anointed with the blessed oil of chrism.

7. Matrimony (Marriage) – is the freely-given consent between a man and a woman to an exclusive, life-long commitment of mutual love. The living out of this spousal love is a sign of Christ’s faithful love for the Church.

SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION

Catholics are usually baptised as infants and then receive Confirmation and first Communion between the ages of about 7 and 12. Adults who wish to become Catholic receive the three sacraments at the same time after a period of preparation. If they have been previously baptised in another Christian denomination, they are not baptised again.

In some Eastern Catholic Churches, such as the Maronite, Melkite and Ukrainian Churches, infants are fully initiated at the time of their Baptism. That is, they are baptised, receive their first Communion and are confirmed at the one ceremony.

Baptism

The name of this sacrament comes from the central rite with which it is celebrated. To baptise means to immerse in water. At a baptism, the priest immerses the candidate in water or pours water over their head.

“Baptism incorporates us into Christ and forms us into God's people. This first sacrament pardons all our sins, rescues us from the power of darkness, and brings us to the dignity of adopted children, a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit. Hence we are called and are indeed the children of God.” (Christian Initiation General Introduction # 2)

Confirmation

Confirmation confirms and strengthens baptismal grace. The essential rite of the sacrament is anointing with the holy oil of chrism. For this reason, it is called Chrismation in the Eastern Churches.

Eucharist

The word ‘Eucharist’ comes from Greek, the language used in the early Church, and means ‘thanksgiving’.  In the Eucharist we offer thanks to God for the free gift of salvation we have been given through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The word ‘Mass’ later became more commonly used to name this sacrament.

The Second Vatican Council described the Mass as the 'Summit and Source' of Christian life. Of all the things we do as Christians - mission, service, teaching, giving witness, etc - it is the high point, the peak experience. At Mass we give thanks and praise to God, we remember our saving story, we ask forgiveness, we offer a sacrifice, we share a meal, we become the church, we celebrate our unity and identity, we commit ourselves to follow Christ, we are blessed and broken, and much, much more. It is our greatest treasure.

From the age of reason, about 7 years of age, baptised and confirmed Catholics who have received suitable formation can receive Communion at Mass.

SACRAMENTS OF HEALING

Penance

The sacrament of Penance, which is also known as Reconciliation or Confession, is the means and the sign of Christ’s willingness to heal us. We need this healing when, through our human weakness, we turn in on ourselves and away from God and our neighbour. The words of the celebrant, "I absolve you from your sins", assure us that we are restored to friendship with our heavenly Father.

Anointing of the Sick

This sacrament unites those who are sick more intimately to the passion of Christ and brings them comfort, peace, and courage. It also offers the sick forgiveness of sins if they are not able to make a confession. If it is God’s will, this sacrament may bring about the restoration of physical health. The central rite in the celebration of this sacrament is the anointing of the recipient with the Oil of the Sick.

SACRAMENTS OF COMMITMENT OF SERVICE

Holy Orders

This is the sacrament in which a person is ordained a deacon, priest or bishop through the bishop imposing his hands on the head of the candidate and pronouncing the solemn prayer of ordination, or of consecration in the case of a bishop. This prayer asks God for the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the person being ordained and for the gifts of the Spirit proper to that particular ministry.

Matrimony

The sacrament of Matrimony immerses a couple into the mystery of Christ’s saving love, which touches and transforms their lives and establishes an exclusive and lifelong bond between the spouses. The catechism spells out the central role of the Church in the celebration of Christian marriage:

“The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life.” (CCC #1661)

The minister of this sacrament is not the priest but the couple who administer the sacrament to each other; the role of the priest is as a witness.