The 7 Sacraments

The 7 Sacraments

1. Initiation Sacraments

   • Baptism
     • When we say baptism, we are referring to the process where one is submerged in water and emerges from it.
     • Why do we do this? We do this as a representation of cleansing our sins. It is as if we carry the burden of our sins be when we emerge we are fully cleansed of our sins.
     • Baptism also represents death and life. How? When we are submerged into the water, it is as if we are falling as a result of death, but we are lifted up as a sign of us being revived or resurrected by God as Jesus was resurrected.
     • In the process of baptism, we use water. We use water because it is a sign of cleansing. Water is important because we need to survive, the same applies to baptism.
     • It is the sign of joining the Christian family for both young and elderly.
     • You cannot receive any other sacrament before baptism. In order to receive the other sacraments, you must complete baptism.
   • Confirmation
     • The sacrament of the Holy Spirit. It represents the confirming of someone after baptism
     • If one receives baptism as an adult they would immediately do confirmation. If you are a child that has already went through baptism you would most likely do confirmation at the age of 13 or 14
     • In confirmation a bishop or priest does the process of laying on of hands in prayer. They will the anoint the persons forehead with oil and afterwards say "Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit".
     • After confirmation you are able to take the name of a saint symbolically like Saint Isidore.
   • Eucharist
     • The Eucharist is often celebrated during a mass or liturgy. It occurs when the priest begins putting bread into a plate and wine into a cup. When you take the bread you eat it, then you do the sign of the cross.
     • Only a person who is baptized can celebrate the sacrament of the eucharist.
     • The bread and the wine represent the body and blood of Jesus.
     • The Eucharist is the very sacrifice of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus which he instituted to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until his return in glory.

2. Healing Sacraments

   • Anointing of the Sick
     • Anointing of the sick is also a a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.
     • When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness.
     • This can be given to those who are afflicted with serious illness or injury, those who are awaiting surgery, the weakened elderly, or to ill children.
   • Reconciliation
     • Reconciliation is when we confess to a priest about a wrong doing or sin that we recognize we have done.
     • After this confession, the priest is not allowed to tell others about your confession. It is strictly between only you and the priest. This is due to the Seal of Confession.
     • Reconciliation is Jesus's gift to us. In His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church.

3. Service of Communion

   • Matrimony
     • Matrimony is the process through which a baptized man and woman are married.
     • This process usually takes place during a mass. A priest marries the 2 people together.
     • God encourages those who are married to be fruitful and multiply.
     • Rings are often used as a symbol of marriage.
     • When two people unite in soul and body, God wants them to jointly procreate and have a family. This family will raise the children in a loving and caring environment.
   • Holy Orders
     • Holy orders is a sacrament that is available only to men. Holy orders is when someone is ordained as a priest, bishop, deacon
     • The bishop puts his hand of the person being ordained and blesses them.
     • Ordained priests, bishops, and deacons have different responsibilities. However, they are have a power and authority to preach the word of God.