SACRAMENTS CATHOLIC CHURCH

"Blessed be the God the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation the of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.  In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with favour of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us the beloved. In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with his favour that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of time, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.  In him we were also chosen, destined into the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ." (Ephesians 1: 3-13)

SACRAMENTS

What does it do to me?
There are so many ways to get lost but there is one way to remain safe and that is through sacraments.

What are Sacraments?
A Sacrament is a visible sign or symbol of the invisible God. Sacraments make God present. We become partakers of divine life.
Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church by which divine life is dispensed to us.   

Why do we need them?
Because we are made in the image and likeness of God.
Our purpose in life is to know, love and serve God.
Nourishment for our spiritual growth.
They are guides of Christian faith instituted by Jesus Christ.

What is the aim of each Sacrament?
Imitation of Christ.
Model for our salvation.
Continuing the mission of Christ.
Clarion call to remain true to our conscience.
Nourishment and reparation of soul.
Harmonious relationship between man and God.

How do sacraments work in our spiritual life?

Baptism
`Gateway’ into the spiritual world.
It is a Sacrament of Faith.
The celebration of spiritual life.
Original sin is washed away.
We become children of God.
We become members of the Church, the body of Christ.
Royal priesthood, a holy people, set apart.

Penance & Reconciliation
Is a call to repent, reconcile and return to God.
Forgiveness of sins.
Healing and salvation.
Reconciliation with God and Church.
Radical reorientation of our whole life.
God’s grace renews and restores us in holiness.
Peace and serenity of conscience and spiritual consolation.
An increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.

Eucharist
The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Sacraments.
Completes the Christian initiation.
Gives intimate union with Jesus Christ.
Transformation of life.
Mind is filled with grace and a pledge of future glory is given to us.
Real presence of Christ by word and by spirit.
Source and summit of Christian life.
Sign of unity, a bond of charity.

Confirmation
Configured to Christ.
Rite of initiation into adulthood.
Anointing with the Holy Spirit.
Infuses vitality and gives the gift of true freedom.
Outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Empowerment by the Holy Spirit to grow and mature.
Confirmed to spread and defend the faith by word and action
Gives spiritual strength and empowers to take up responsibility as mature Christian.

Marriage
A covenant by which a man and a woman form an intimate communion of life and love.
Grace is given to strengthen indissoluble unity.
God is the author of marriage.
A holy union of selfless love.
By it, the family becomes a temple of God, a domestic Church.
Reveals and mediates God’s love and faithfulness to each other, to their offspring and to the Church.

Holy Orders
An act of consecration which integrates a person into the order of bishops, priests or deacons.
Confers an indelible mark on the person and is forever.
Enables the person to act as representative of Christ, head of the Church in the triple office of priest, prophet and king.
Granted for the building, sanctifying and governing of Christ’s body, the Church.

Anointing of the Sick
Strengthens, gives peace and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age.
Unites the sick person to the passion of Christ for his/her own good and that of the whole  Church.
Forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance.
Restoration of health if it is conducive to the salvation of his/her soul.
It is a preparation for passing over to eternal life.