Our Faith Seven Sacraments
The seven holy sacraments are seen as mystical channels of divine grace, instituted by Christ. Each is celebrated with a visible rite, which reflects the invisible, spiritual essence of the sacrament. They are “the visible form of an invisible grace,” as St. Augustine famously described them.
Whereas some sacraments are received only once, others require active and ongoing participation to foster the “living faith” of the celebrant.
For more information use the following link.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacraments_of_the_Catholic_Church
Baptism
Baptism is the foundation for all ministry and life in the church and confers a commitment to follow Christ and spread his message throughout the world. Furthermore, in baptism, one is incorporated into the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and thus participates in the gift of resurrection and eternal life with Christ.
Baptism is the first sacrament of Christian initiation. It is the sacrament that frees a person from original sin and makes that person a member of Christ and His Church, thus being the way to a new and spiritual life. One must be baptized before sharing in any of the other sacraments.
Infants can be baptized soon after birth. At the time of baptism, parents vow to practice their faith and provide a Catholic upbringing for the child.
The Catholic Church recognizes baptisms from other Christian denominations that baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thus, a person can only be baptized once.
Eucharist
The Eucharist is the sacrament by which we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. It is the most treasured gift given to us by the Lord at the Last Supper. The bread and wine used in the Mass are transformed in all but appearance into the Body and Blood of Christ. In receiving the Eucharist, we are nourished by the Lord.
As children reach the age of reason, generally around age seven, we extend to them an invitation to celebrate the sacrament of Eucharist through their First Holy Communion.
Through participation in the Eucharist, we enter fully into the heart of our faith., We believe that this bread and wine become the Eucharist, which is Greek for “Thanksgiving.” We believe it really is Jesus Christ, physically and bodily present, and therefore we worship this Eucharist as Jesus Christ in the flesh.
Confirmation
Confirmation is one of the sacraments of initiation, along with Baptism and Eucharist. While baptism is the sacrament of rebirth to a new and supernatural life, confirmation is the sacrament of maturity and coming of age. It is conferred by the anointing of Chrism oil and the laying on of hands by the Bishop.
The Sacrament of Confirmation draws us into a greater awareness of the Holy Spirit, which we received at Baptism. Through this sacrament, we confirm the presence of the baptismal gifts we have already received; we are sealed with the undeserved and unearned gift of the Holy Spirit.
Reconciliation/Confession
As sinners, we recognize both our human limitations and failures and God’s limitless love for us. God loves and forgives us, and the sacrament of reconciliation makes this gift of forgiveness a reality in the life of the sinner. We are restored to a proper relationship with God.
Through the cleansing of our sins and guilt, we are once again renewed.
Use the links below to understand more about confession; especially if you are afraid to go or you think you don’t need to go.
Below are useful links to help you with Reconciliation/Confession:
- This is a link to a U-Tube video hosted by Fr Mike Schmitz regarding confession:
Confession is a Place of Victory – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiVjwlUO9Sc
- Here is a link to a U-Tube video giving basic instructions on how to go to confession:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9ky_wzeo4ohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb0PnnamlxQ
Marriage
Our faith has a rich tradition of sacramental marriage and covenantal (binding contract) union. The Old Testament authors write of God making a covenant with the chosen people and promising them that they will never be forsaken. The New Testament authors write of Jesus as the new covenant and compare the relationship of Jesus with the Church to the relationship of a husband and wife.
Matrimony, or Marriage, like Holy Orders, is a sacrament that consecrates for a particular mission in building up the Church. It is seen as a sign of the love between Christ and the Church, which is established between spouses in a permanent and exclusive bond, sealed by God. The Sacrament gives couples the grace they need to attain holiness in their married life and for responsible acceptance and upbringing of their children.
If a person of the Roman Catholic Faith is joining in matrimony with a non-Catholic and the non-Catholic would like to become a Catholic, the RCIA faith formation was created for this very purpose. This ministry provides a journey to Catholicism and hopefully an encounter with the Holy Spirit. For more information about RCIA please use the link at the top of this page.
Anointing of the Sick
This is a ministry of comfort. Jesus showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and commanded his followers to do the same.
Caring for the sick through the Sacrament of Anointing strengthens the faithful who are afflicted by illness. The sick are comforted with the strongest means of support that Christ and the Church are in communion with their suffering. The Holy Spirit shares the blessings of health, trust in God, and strength against temptation.
The celebration of this sacrament is also an opportunity for the deepening of the faith of the community who witness the faith and devotion of those being anointed.
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament by which bishops, priests and deacons are ordained and receive the power and grace to perform their sacred duties. The sacred rite by which orders are conferred is called ordination. The apostles were ordained by Jesus at the Last Supper so that others could share in his priesthood.
Holy Orders, which was instituted by Christ himself, is administered by the laying on of hands by the Bishop, through which the priest is given the power to serve the Church through his preaching, teaching and celebration of the Sacraments.
If you would like to explore religious life please contact Father David or the Diocese of Saint John.
