Grace Thompson
The Catholic Church officially recognizes seven sacraments, which are seen as mystical channels of divine grace instituted by Jesus Christ. Each sacrament is a visible rite, which reflects the invisible, spiritual essence of the sacrament. The seven sacraments are: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. They are divided into three categories: Sacraments of Initiation, Sacraments of Healing, and Sacraments at the Service of Communion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of sacraments | 7 |
| Purpose | Channels of divine grace, instituted by Christ |
| Nature | Outer signs of an inner grace |
| Rite | Visible and invisible |
| Frequency | Some are received only once, others require ongoing participation |
| Types | Initiation, Healing, Service |
| Initiation sacraments | Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation |
| Healing sacraments | Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick |
| Service sacraments | Holy Orders, Matrimony |
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Baptism
In Catholicism, Baptism is one of the seven holy sacraments and is regarded as the sacrament of admission to the faith. It is seen as the sacrament of regeneration and initiation into the church, begun by Jesus, who accepted baptism from St. John the Baptist and ordered the Apostles to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The outward sign of Catholic baptism is the pouring or sprinkling of water over the candidate's head, with the words: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This symbolizes the death of the old self and the birth of a new self, mirroring the death and resurrection of Christ. Only pure natural water may be used, and a person is to be baptized only once in their life.
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Confirmation
The word "confirmation" comes from the Latin "confirmare", which means "to strengthen". During the sacrament of Confirmation, the bishop or priest will address each candidate by their chosen saint's name and anoint them with chrism oil. The candidate is then sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and strengthened for service to the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers the Christian to accept new responsibilities for witnessing Jesus in the world.
In the early Church, Baptism and Confirmation were celebrated in a single ceremony. In the Roman Catholic Church, or the Church of the West, the two sacraments gradually separated. This was due to the fact that the Church wanted the bishop to complete a person's initiation, and as the Church grew, the bishop could not be present for every Baptism. Over time, the reception of the Eucharist came before the celebration of Confirmation, and in some dioceses, the Sacrament of Confirmation is now celebrated before the reception of the Eucharist.
The designated age for Confirmation varies. In the United States, it is between the ages of discretion (around seven) and 16. In Britain and Ireland, Confirmation typically takes place in early teens, while in the United States it is more common for it to be in mid-teens. For adult converts to Catholicism, Confirmation usually takes place at the same time as Baptism, or when the person is formally received into the Church.
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Eucharist
The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is a sacrament of initiation and can be received daily if desired. It is the central rite of Catholic worship. The term “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word "eucharistia", which means “thanksgiving”. In Catholic Tradition, the Eucharist is a sacrament—and sacrifice—of thanksgiving and communion.
During the mass, the priest consecrates bread and wine, the elements of the Eucharist, which are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ. This change at the substance level from bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is called "transubstantiation". According to Catholic faith, we can speak of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist because this transubstantiation has occurred. In order for the whole Christ to be present—body, blood, soul, and divinity—the bread and wine cannot remain, but must give way so that his glorified Body and Blood may be present. Thus, in the Eucharist, the bread ceases to be bread in substance and becomes the Body of Christ, while the wine ceases to be wine in substance and becomes the Blood of Christ.
The Holy Spirit plays a pivotal role in the celebration of the Eucharist. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. During the celebration of the Eucharist, the priest, acting in the person of Christ, “re-presents (makes present) the sacrifice of the cross” under the sacramental forms of bread and wine. This is the sacrifice of the Mass. During Holy Mass, the priest wears clothes called “vestments” to show he represents Christ, not himself. The priest reflects an image of Christ, who is the “high priest of the New Covenant”.
The Body and Blood of Christ present under the appearances of bread and wine are treated with the greatest reverence both during and after the celebration of the Eucharist. For example, the tabernacle in which the consecrated bread is reserved is placed "in some part of the church or oratory which is distinguished, conspicuous, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer". According to the tradition of the Latin Church, one should genuflect in the presence of the tabernacle containing the reserved sacrament. In the Eastern Catholic Churches, the traditional practice is to make the sign of the cross and to bow profoundly.
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Penance and Reconciliation
The Roman Catholic Church officially recognizes seven holy sacraments, which are seen as mystical channels of divine grace, instituted by Christ. Each sacrament is celebrated with a visible rite, which reflects the invisible, spiritual essence of the sacrament.
The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It is also commonly referred to as the Sacrament of Confession. This sacrament is an opportunity for self-reflection and requires that the person take full responsibility for their sins, both in thought and action. During the rite, sins are recounted privately to a priest, who is seen as a healer aiding the process. The priest commonly assigns acts of penance, such as specific prayers or acts of restitution, to be completed in the following days. A prayer of contrition is offered at the end of the confession, and the penitent is urged to refrain from repeating the sins.
The Sacrament of Penance is God's gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven. In confession, we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in God's presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins. With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church. The Sacrament helps us stay close to the truth that we cannot live without God.
In the 11th and 12th centuries, a new, legalistic theory of penances emerged, which was followed by a new theory of a treasury of merits around 1230. This led to the practice of granting indulgences for various good works, which later began to be "'sold', leading to Martin Luther's dramatic protest. In the mid-16th century, the bishops at the Council of Trent retained the private approach to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and decreed that indulgences could not be sold.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that the sacrament is known by many names. It is sometimes called "the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus' call to conversion". It is also known as "the sacrament of Penance, since it consecrates the Christian sinner's personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction". It continues to be known as "the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament". The Catechism reminds us that "it is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the penitent 'pardon and peace'".
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Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven holy sacraments of the Catholic Church. It is a sacrament of healing, intended to bring spiritual and physical strength to those who are ill. The sacrament is usually administered by a bishop or priest, who anoints the patient's forehead with oleum infirmorum ('oil of the sick')—olive oil or another pure plant oil blessed by a bishop. The priest may also anoint other parts of the body, such as the ears, nose, mouth, hands, feet, and loins, while reciting certain prayers.
The Anointing of the Sick is rooted in the Bible, with the chief Biblical text concerning it being James 5:14–15: "Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him." Mark 6:13 also refers to the sacrament: "They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them."
The Anointing of the Sick is typically administered to those who are seriously ill or near death, though it can also be given to those who are simply showing the first signs of illness or are becoming older and more frail. The sacrament can be performed at home, in a hospital or care institution, or in a church, and it may be administered multiple times if a patient's illness relapses or worsens. When given to those near death, the Anointing of the Sick is one of the last rites, along with the sacraments of Penance and Viaticum (Holy Communion administered to the dying).
The Anointing of the Sick is intended to give comfort, peace, courage, and, if the sick person is unable to make a confession, forgiveness of sins. Through the sacrament, a gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed, which renews confidence and faith in God, and strengthens against temptations to discouragement, despair, and anguish at the thought of death and the struggle of dying.
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