Michael Brooks
A sacrament is a Christian rite considered to be of particular importance and significance. The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist or Holy Communion, Penance or Reconciliation or Confession, Matrimony or Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick or Extreme Unction. The current seven sacraments were set out in the Sentences by Peter Lombard and confirmed by the Fourth Council of the Lateran in 1215. These sacraments are classified into three categories: the sacraments of initiation (into the Catholic Church and the mystical body of Christ), consisting of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist; the sacraments of healing, consisting of the Sacrament of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick; and the sacraments of service: Holy Orders and Matrimony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic sacraments | 7 |
| When did the number become 7 | The current seven sacraments were set out in the Sentences by Peter Lombard, and these seven were confirmed by the Fourth Council of the Lateran in 1215 |
| First 3 sacraments | Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation |
| Sacraments of healing | Anointing of the Sick and Penance |
| Sacraments of vocation | Matrimony and Holy Orders |
| When did the sacraments become a part of the Catholic Church | The sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ and entrusted to the Church |
| Who can take Holy Communion | Only those who are baptized |
| Who can take part in the Sacrament of Marriage | Only between a man and a woman who have both been baptized |
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What You'll Learn
Baptism
The sacrament of baptism involves the pouring or sprinkling of water over the candidate's head, or in some traditions, immersion of the entire body in water. This outward sign of water symbolises death to a former life and the emergence of a new person, cleansed of their past sins. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes this transformation as follows:
> "The faithful born anew by Baptism are strengthened by Confirmation and are then nourished by the Eucharist."
The practice of baptism can be traced back to John the Baptist, who is considered a forerunner to Christianity and used baptism as the central sacrament of his messianic movement. Jesus himself accepted baptism from John and later instituted the sacrament of baptism, commanding his Apostles to baptise in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
While there is no definitive evidence of infant baptism before the 2nd century, there is extensive testimony suggesting its introduction as early as the 1st century. By the 4th century, it had become the norm, and it remains the practice of the Roman Catholic Church today.
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Confirmation
Since the Second Vatican Council, the setting of a later age has been abandoned in some places in favour of restoring the traditional order of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. The Council also called for a restoration of the sacraments, not changing their essential rites, but making them clearer so that people could better understand their meaning and participate fully, actively, and as a community.
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Communion
The earliest references to Communion are found in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers, such as Ignatius of Antioch (c. 108 CE) and the Didache (c. 110 CE). Ignatius emphasized the importance of proper Christian order during Communion and viewed the Eucharist as a means of spiritual communion with Christ. St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians (c. 55 CE) also provides early evidence of Communion, addressing issues of drunkenness and gluttony associated with the common meal.
The Eucharist is a sacred ritual in which Catholics consume consecrated bread and wine, which are believed to be transformed into the body and blood of Christ through transubstantiation. This belief was formalized during the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215, providing a clear definition of transubstantiation. The Council of Trent in 1551 reaffirmed the doctrine, emphasizing the Eucharist's significance as a sacrament.
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Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick is a Catholic sacrament that has a long history and is rooted in the biblical traditions of the early Church. While the specific practices and rituals associated with this sacrament have evolved over time, the fundamental purpose of offering spiritual and physical healing to those facing illness or the challenges of old age remains central to this sacrament.
In the earliest Christian communities, the laying on of hands and anointing with oil were often associated with healing and the conferral of the Holy Spirit. This practice can be traced back to the New Testament, with references in James 5:14-15: "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord." This biblical foundation provided the early framework for what would later become the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
During the first few centuries of Christianity, the anointing of the sick was often practiced alongside baptism, as it was believed that physical healing could facilitate spiritual healing and preparation for baptism. This early association is reflected in the writings of early Church fathers such as Tertullian and Cyprian. Over time, however, the anointing of the sick evolved into a distinct rite, separate from baptism, and came to be seen as a means of providing comfort, strength, and forgiveness of sins to the infirm.
By the Middle Ages, the Anointing of the Sick was widely recognized as one of the sacraments of the Catholic Church. It was often administered to those who were seriously ill or in danger of death. The sacrament was believed to provide spiritual healing, strength, and, in some cases, physical healing as well. During this period, the ritual became more formalized, and specific prayers and blessings were introduced to accompany the anointing with oil.
In the 20th century, there was a renewed emphasis on the spiritual and pastoral aspects of the Anointing of the Sick. The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) provided updated guidelines, emphasizing that this sacrament is not only for those at the point of death but also for those facing serious illness or the challenges and weaknesses associated with old age. This expansion of the sacrament's scope reflected a desire to offer spiritual support and comfort to a wider range of individuals facing physical or mental health challenges.
Today, the Anointing of the Sick continues to be an important sacrament in the Catholic Church, offering spiritual healing, comfort, and strength to those facing illness or the frailties of old age. It serves as a reminder of God's presence and love during times of physical or mental suffering and affirms the belief in the sacredness and value of life, even amid illness and adversity.
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Holy Orders
The sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred during the celebration of a Mass. The bishop lays his hands on each candidate, followed by all the priests present, invoking the Holy Spirit and the power of Christ's priesthood. The essential rite of the sacrament is the bishop's laying on of hands and the consecratory prayer, which for the ordination of priests, asks God the Father to grant the ordinand the dignity of the priesthood and to "renew within him the Spirit of holiness."
The origins of the sacrament of Holy Orders can be traced back to the early Church and the apostles, who appointed bishops as leaders of the Christian communities they founded. These bishops, in turn, appointed priests and deacons to assist them in their ministry. The Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, states that "the apostles, to whom Christ entrusted the office of teaching, sanctifying, and governing, and whom he sent forth, established the Church throughout the world, appointed in every community their own successors in the episcopate so that, when they died, other proven men would take their place in the care of the Lord's flock."
The sacrament of Holy Orders has evolved and been shaped by the traditions and practices of the Catholic Church over the centuries, with the current form and rituals being the result of this long history and development. The Church's Code of Canon Law, which regulates the sacramental life of the Church, provides the current regulations and discipline regarding the sacrament of Holy Orders, ensuring its continuity and consistent practice within the Catholic Church worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
Baptism has been a sacrament since the early days of the Eastern Churches. It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation.
Confirmation has also been a sacrament since the early days of the Eastern Churches. It is the third of the Sacraments of Initiation and is the final rite of initiation into the Catholic Church.
The Eucharist has been a sacrament since the early days of the Eastern Churches. It is the second of the Sacraments of Initiation and is considered the most precious of all the Catholic Sacraments.
Holy Orders was recognised as a sacrament by the Catholic Church, Hussite Church and the Old Catholic Church by the 13th century. It is one of the two Sacraments of Vocation.
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