The Seven Sacraments
Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist,
Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick,
Holy Orders, Marriage
Sacraments
Sacrament: An efficacious sign of grace, instituted
by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which
divine life is dispensed to us through the work of
the Holy Spirit.
-CCC 1131
Efficacious means effective.
The sacraments make us holy.
Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism
Confirmation
Holy Eucharist
blood (Eucharist) & water (Baptism)
Baptism
John 3:5 “No one can enter the kingdom of God without
being born of water and Spirit.”
In cases of necessity, even an un-baptized person can
baptize.
Effects:
1. purification/sanctification
(original & personal sin)
2. rebirth
(requires future growth)
Crossing the Red Sea
Adult baptism
-throughout scripture
-RCIA
Infant baptism
Acts 16:31-33
-entire households
-certainly since 2nd
century
Trinitarian formula (form) & water (matter)
Once baptized  always (Indelible mark)
New existence
Adopted child of God the Father
Member of Christ’s body (Church)
Temple of Holy Spirit
Baptismal priesthood
Concupiscence remains 
Confirmation
Confirmation
Effects:
“Confirms” & strengthens baptism.
Empowers us to be true witnesses of Jesus.
Perpetuates grace of Pentecost
Confirmation
NEED: laying on of hands, oil for anointing
East & West
East: Confirmed as infants
“Chrismation” – anointed with chrism
“Christian” means “anointed.”
Symbolism of Anointing
abundance (oil is costly)
cleansing
healing (soothes wounds)
beautifies
Seal of Holy Spirit.
Eucharist
Jesus is the Passover Lamb
Last Supper
Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my
Body, which will be given up for you.
Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is
the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new
and eternal covenant, which will be poured
out for you and for many for the
forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of
me.
Consecration
Holy Communion
nourishes the soul.
 True presence, Christ hasn’t abandoned
us.
 Eucharistia means thanksgiving
 Symbolism of cup: martyrdom

St. Justin Martyr, 155AD
On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the
same place. The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read,
as much as time permits.
When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and
challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.
Then we all rise together and offer prayers* for ourselves . . .and for all others,
wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions,
and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.
When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.
Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who
presides over the brethren.
He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the
name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks
(in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.
When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an
acclamation by saying: 'Amen.'
When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom
we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and
take them to those who are absent.
Sacraments of Healing
Reconciliation
&
Anointing of the Sick
Reconciliation
God wants to forgive.
Effects:
Sins forgiven
(eternal punishment)
Reconciled to God
& Church
Reconciliation
God used priests to forgive and atone for the sins
of others. (Lev 5:4-6; 19:21-22)
"Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins
you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose
sins you retain, they are retained." (Jn 20,23)
“And all this is from God, who has reconciled us
to himself through Christ and given us the
ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Cor 5:18)
Who can forgive?
What sins can be forgiven?
How often should I go?
I forgot how to make a confession.
Examination of Conscience
(You will need a conscience.)
Confess.
Be absolved.
Do penance.
“sacramental seal” of confession
Anointing of the Sick
For those seriously ill or advanced in age.
Was called, “Extreme Unction.”
Can be repeated.
Priest administers sacrament.
Oil of the sick
“Through this holy anointing may the Lord
in his love and mercy help you with the
grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who
frees you from sin save you and raise you
up.”
Effects:
Unites suffering to Christ
 Strength, peace, courage
 Forgiveness of sins
 Possibly the restoration of health
 Preparation for final Passover

Sacraments of Service
Marriage
&
Holy Orders
Marriage
Covenant not contract
“Till death do us part”
indissoluble marriage bond
Vows
Free
Faithful
Fruitful
It’s natural.
Husband and wife are ministers. Priest witnesses.
Marriage is holy.
Not destroyed in the flood.
Domestic Church
Building block of society.
Marital sex is holy. Renews marriage vows.
Holy Orders
It’s supernatural
a call from God, rather than a natural desire
Indelible mark, permanent change
Bishop: fullness of orders
acts in person of Christ the Head
Priest: coworkers of the bishop,
acts in person of Christ the Head
Deacons: service of Christ
Symbols are important.
The symbols used during the sacraments
help explain what’s happening.
What symbols are used?