The Sacraments of Christ
What is a Sacrament?
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A sacrament is an outward sign
or symbol instituted by Christ to
give grace.
The grace we receive in a
sacraments is a participation in
the life of God.
The whole liturgical life of the
Church revolves around the
Eucharistic sacrifice and the
sacraments.
Sacrament as Sign or Symbol
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St. Thomas
Aquinas taught
that human
development is
marked by seven
stages which
parallel the seven
sacraments.
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We are born: Baptism
We grow: Confirmation
We are fed: Eucharist
We are healed: Penance
We recover: Anointing of
the Sick
We need and form
family: Matrimony
We need and respond to
leaders: Holy Orders
Signs and Symbols
Sacraments ARE what they symbolize
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To be a sacrament, a sign or symbol must do
the following:
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Lead us to God
Come from God
Be an action of God
The best example
of a sacrament is
Jesus Christ himself.
How do we make the sacraments
known?
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The first and most important work of
the Church is to make present Christ’s
Paschal Mystery here and now. We do
this in liturgy.
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All the sacraments are liturgy.
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Every sacrament is a community affair
– an affair of the Church.
Jesus is really present in Eucharist
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Jesus is present in the priest, the
minister of the sacrament.
Jesus is present when the Holy
Scriptures are read.
Jesus is present in the community
assembled.
Jesus is really present in the
consecration of the bread and wine.
The Church as Sacrament
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The Church is a
mystery.
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The Church is
beloved of Christ.
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The Church is an
important symbol.
Who Instituted the Sacraments?
All of the sacraments were
instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord.
When did Jesus institute and sanctify
the sacraments?
During his life time here on earth.
The Seven Sacraments
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The Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist.
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The Sacraments of Healing
Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick.
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The Sacraments of Service
Matrimony, Holy Orders.
Sacraments of Initiation
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Baptism – brings
new life in Christ.
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Confirmation –
strengthens our new
life with the gifts of
the Holy Spirit.
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Eucharist –
nourishes us with
the Body and Blood
of Christ.
BAPTISM
Instituted
Jesus was baptized by John the
Baptist and by his command to the
apostles/disciples
“Baptize all with water in the name
of the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit.”
Sacramentals
water
Oil
White cloth
The Rite of Baptism
Proper matter: Water
 Correct words:
“I baptize you in the
name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit.”
 Designated minister:
bishop, priest, or
deacon
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Effects of Baptism
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Washes away original sin and any other sins and
the punishment due.
Makes us children of God and temples of the Holy
Spirit.
The Spirit of God is poured upon us in form of
sanctifying grace
Welcomes us as members of the Church, the
Body of Christ.
Marks us forever as sharers in Christ’s mission of
justice and peace.
CONFIRMATION
Instituted
Pentecost = when the Holy
Spirit came upon the Apostles
Sacramentals
chrism
Rite of Confirmation
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Proper matter:
Chrism
Correct words or
form: Laying on of
hands and anointing
with chrism on the
forehead with the
words: "(Name), be
sealed with the gift
of the Holy Spirit."
Designated minister:
Bishop
Effects of Confirmation
oRoots us more deeply as sons of God
oUnites us more firmly to Christ
oIncreases the gifts of the Holy Spirit
oRenders our bond with the Church
oGives us a special strength to spread and
defend the faith by word and action as true
witnesses of Christ
Eucharist
Instituted
Christ instituted the Eucharist during a
Passover meal held at the Last Supper as a
memorial of his Death and Resurrection.
At the Council of Trent (1545 – 1563) the
doctrine of transubstantiation was defined and
the Roman Missal was published by
Pope Pius V.
Rite of Eucharist
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Proper matter: unleavened bread and
wine
Correct words:
"Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is
my body which will be given up for
you . . Take this, all of you, and drink
from it: this is the cup of my blood of
the new and everlasting covenant. It
will be shed for you and for all so that
sins may be forgiven. Do this in
memory of me.“
Designated minister: Bishop or priest
Effects of Eucharist
oNourishes the soul by giving us
the strength to resist temptation
oIt shows that Jesus is really
with His people in the flesh
oIncreases our life of grace
oCleanses the soul of venial sins
Sacramentals
Bread
Wine
Sacraments of Healing
Anointing of the Sick
Reconciliation
Our new life in Christ can be weakened by
suffering, illness, death, and the effects of
sin.
Healing and Forgiveness
Reconciliation
Instituted
When Jesus told the apostles’
“Whose sin you shall forgive in my
name they are forgiven, whose sins you
shall not forgive they are not forgiven”
Rite of Reconciliation
Correct words:
“I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”
Designated minister: priest
Elements of Reconciliation
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The acts the person
undergoes
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The intervention of the
Church
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Contrition
Confession
Absolution from the priest
All Catholics are required to go to
confession at least once per year
to confess serious sins
Effects of Reconciliation
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Penance reminds us
that God is a loving God
and forgiving friend
Penance shows that
God’s love is without
limits
He wants all of us to
stop doing wrong and
seek forgiveness
Anointing of the Sick
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The sacrament
encourages those who are
sick to overcome the
alienation caused by
illness
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Jesus continues to bring
healing through the
prayers of the Church,
and through the
sacraments, especially
the Eucharist and the
Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick
Instituted
By his own healing of the sick and
when he sent the apostles out to
preach and heal in his name
Sacramentals
oil
Elements of Anointing of the Sick
The priest or bishop
• lays his hands on the sick person
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prays for the person in the faith of the
Church
anoints the forehead and hands of the
sick person with oil previously blessed by
a bishop
Holy Orders
Instituted
At the Last Supper when he gave
the apostle the command to be a
servant to all and in His name the
power to change bread and wine
into his body and blood in his name
Rite of Holy Orders
Designated minister: bishop
Elements of Holy Orders
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A call by God to
serve the Church in
a very special way.
Essential rite
includes: the laying
on of hands by the
bishop accompanied
by a special prayer
of consecration.
An indelible
spiritual character
is conferred on the
ordained man.
Those who receive Holy Orders
Holy Orders shows God’s desire that
His family be cared for and served by
leaders.
Sacramental ordination consecrates
certain baptized men to one of three
degrees of a sacred order:
Episcopate – bishops
Presbyterate – priests
Diaconate – deacons
Matrimony
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Marriage is a
sacred covenant
--that is an
agreement
between the
husband and
wife, and
between the
couple and God.
Elements of Matrimony
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The essential element of Matrimony is the mutual
consent to marry.
The words of consent must be freely given.
Catholics must marry in the presence of a priest
or a deacon, and in the presence of two
witnesses.
The spouses themselves are the ministers of the
sacrament.
The Seven Sacraments
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The sacraments celebrate Jesus as the Way, the
Truth, and the Life.
The sacraments are a way for us to live life to the
fullest.
The sacraments are the way to allow Jesus to
touch our lives.