SACRAMENTS

Sacramentology is simply the study of the biblical sacraments.

There are seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The seven rituals of Baptism, Confirmation,
Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony are celebrations
grounded on the particular events or actions in Jesus’ public ministry. They consist of prayers, and
material elements like the water, oil, bread, and wine gestures, that became symbols which enable
us to encounter the Risen Christ.

Baptism- It is the sacrament of faith that brings the baptized the forgiveness of sins through water
and the Spirit, incorporation into the Church, and the sharing of the Trinitarian divine life.

Confirmation - The sacrament in which, through the power of the Holy Spirit, a baptized
person is drawn closer union with the Church and endowed with strength to actively spread the
Gospel.

Holy Eucharist- The Catholic Church’s fundamental act of thanksgiving worship to God,
constituting at once a sacrifice-sacrament, a communion-sacrament and a presence-sacrament.

Reconciliation- It brings out the inner relationship between being reconciled with God and
being reconciled with our neighbor.

Anointing of the Sick- It brings Christ’s compassionate loving healing to bear on those
suffering serious sickness (cf CCC 1499)

Holy Orders- It is “the sacrament of apostolic ministry”.

Matrimony - It is a vocation to fuller life in Christ, in love that is sealed, purified, deepened and
strengthened by the Spirit of Love, the Spirit of the Father and the Risen Christ.

SACRAMENT OF INITIATION: BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION AND THE HOLY

EUCHARIST

Just as without Christ, Christian faith is impossible, so without the sacraments, there could
be no Catholic Church. Two new emphases stand out: first, the seven ritual sacraments are
grounded directly in both Christ the “Primordial Sacrament,” and the Church as basic or
“Fundamental Sacrament.” Thus, the seven ritual sacraments are defined as “actions of Christ and
of the Church” which unite us to Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, and incorporate us into
His Body, the Church. The second emphasis is drawing the sacraments closer to everyday life,
especially by recognizing the essential role of the symbol in all human life. (CFC 1517)

The three functions of a sacrament are:

1. The seven sacraments commemorate what happened in the past. Each sacrament recalls the
saving deeds of Jesus. They celebrate the paschal mystery.
2. The seven sacraments demonstrate in the present that Jesus Christ lives. The sacraments
bring about the encounter of Jesus.
 3. The seven sacraments prefigure our glorious future with Christ at the end of time.

The first 3 of the 7 sacraments are called the Sacrament of Initiation, and these are:

1. Sacrament of Baptism – this is the sacrament of new life; the entrance into the Christian
community. We cannot receive other sacraments without receiving first the Sacrament of Baptism.
It is received only once because it imparts a character-a spiritual seal by which we became
consecrated to Christ. Through baptism, we enter a special relationship with the Triune God –
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Gal. 3:27-29 “All baptized in Christ, you have all clothed yourself in Christ, and there are no more
distinction between Jews and Greeks, slaves and free, male and female, but all of you are one in
Christ Jesus. Merely by belonging to Christ, you are the posterity of Abraham, the heirs he was
promised.

CCC 1213 “Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God; we
became members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made share in her mission.

Baptismal Symbols (Matters)

To appreciate the rich meaning of the Sacrament of Baptism, it is necessary to understand
the meaning of some of the symbols used in the baptismal ceremony.

Water – the most important baptismal symbol. To be baptized, it passed through the destructive
waters which signify that we have died to evil and sin, and rise with Jesus to be anointed
with His Spirit
Chrism – The anointing of chrism entails that her/his task is to walk in the footsteps of Christ.
A white Garment – it is given to the infant to remind us of our transformation in Christ.
Lighted candles – the lighting of the candle symbolizes that Jesus, the light of the world shines
for all the people to see.

Ministers: Bishops, Priest and Deacon

Lay person
Formula: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

2. Sacrament of Confirmation – we are called to strengthen the grace we receive in Baptism to

grow in perfection with Christ.

CFC 1631 “the main effects of confirmation are to strengthen and confirm the grace of Baptism.
This means a more intense sharing in the mission of Christ and of the Church, empowering the
confirmed to be public witnesses of the faith.

1. Witness of the kingdom of God and God’s power present in the new age begun in Christ.
2. Witness of Jesus Christ, as unique savior of all
3. Witness of the freedom from the slavery of sin brought by God’s presence though Christ
and Spirit
4. Witness of the love of God, Father, Risen Incarnate Son and Spirit by loving service of
others in the spirit
 5. Witness of Christ’s real presence in the Christian community, the people of God, the
Church

Acts 8:14-17 “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the Word of God,
Peter and John, went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had
not yet fallen upon them, they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they
laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit”

The Sacrament of Confirmation Increases the gifts we accepted in the Sacrament of Baptism.
These gifts are the following: Understanding, Knowledge, Wisdom, Fortitude, Counsel, Fear of
the Lord and Piety

Matter: Holy Chrism Oil and the laying on of hands by the Bishop or a delegate priest

Ministers: Bishops or designated Priest

Formula: “Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit”

3. Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist – The Catholic Church’s fundamental act of thanksgiving
worship to God, constituting at once a sacrifice-sacrament, a communion-sacrament and a
presence-sacrament.

The Eucharist is the “source and summit of the whole Christian life” It is a celebration of
the saving action of God accomplished love and move in Christ in the lives of all.

Order of the Mass

Introductory Rite – entrance song, sign of the cross, greeting of the priest, penitential rite and
Glory to God

Liturgy of the Word – first reading, responsorial psalm, second reading, Gospel reading and
homily

Liturgy of the Eucharist – offertory, prayer over the gifts, Eucharistic prayer, holy holy,
consecration, acclamation, and doxology

Communion Rite -Lord’s prayer, prayer of peace and communion

Concluding Rite – final blessing and closing song

Matters: Unleavened Bread and Grape Wine

Ministers: Bishops and Priests

Formula: “This is my body which will be given up for you” and “This is the cup of my blood
which will be poured unto you”