What is a Sacrament?
Sacraments are special encounters with the living God in Jesus Christ. They touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing, and mission to the Christian’s life of faith.
Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism
In the sacrament of Baptism, you become a member of Jesus’s mystical body, the Church. In Baptism you are born again by water and the Spirit and become an adopted son or daughter of God.
Communion
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life (Catechism 1324). It is Christ himself who gives himself to the faithful under the appearance of the consecrated Bread and Christ’s blood is present under the appearance of wine.
Confirmation
The baptized Christian is more perfectly bound to the Church and is enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit (Catechism 1285). Confirmation deepens our baptismal life, strengthening us to defend, witness and share the Good News.
Sacraments of Healing
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Confession (Penance or Reconciliation) is the means by which Christ offers forgiveness to his people and restores the Christian back to life.
Anointing of the Sick
At times of sickness and being near death, the Church comes to spiritually heal the sick in the Anointing of the Sick.
Sacraments of Vocation
Marriage
Marriage is a covenant which man and woman establish between themselves for the whole of life, and is ordered to the good of each spouse and any future children. It reflects the love of Christ as bridegroom and his bride the Church.
Holy Orders
Holy Orders continues Christ’s leadership as the Good Shepherd of his flock. Holy Orders is expressed in three different degrees: deacon, priest or bishop.
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