“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
-Romans 6:4
Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism is a Sacrament of welcoming into the Church. As the first of three official Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism is a person’s first step in the Christian life, inviting him or her into the family of the Church and providing an entry into a new life in the Spirit of God. To be baptized is to be received, enlightened, washed, and renewed in the love of our Lord.
Eucharist (Holy Communion)
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, the nourishing and life-giving gift offered to us by Jesus Christ himself. The term “Eucharist” originates from the Greek word eucharistia, which means “thanksgiving,” and as Catholics we can have nothing short of immense gratitude whenever we experience Christ’s Eucharist Presence.
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the three official Sacraments of Initiation, typically the last of the three received by members of our churches. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus promised His followers that He would send His Spirit to comfort and strengthen them, and he would keep this promise when the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The Sacrament of Confirmation can be likened to our own Pentecost, a moment in which we are confirmed, strengthen, and sealed in the Holy Spirit.
Holy Orders
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is a Sacrament of vocation in which men are ordained into a life of dedicated work and service to God and his Church. As children of God, we all share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ and have the opportunity to live out this baptismal priesthood in everything we do in our lives, strengthening and serving one another. Some within this community of faith, however, are called to serve in a unique way as the ordained. Some men are called to be ordained as ministerial priests, taking on the unique task of emulating Jesus in His roles as priest, prophet, and king.
Marriage
The Sacrament of Matrimony (also often called “Marriage”) is a Sacrament of vocation in which a man and a woman enter into an unbreakable bond of unity, sacrifice, and love, offering themselves and their lives fully and completely to one another. This bond, and the love within it, is a reflection of the love that God had for all his children and truly for all creation.
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (also often called “Confession” or “Penance”) is one of the Sacraments of healing in our Church. Though this Sacrament is one that at times can make Catholics feel uneasy, nervous, or scared, in truth is is not a moment to be feared but, instead, an incredible opportunity to receive the Lord’s healing, and love. Our God is truly merciful, recognizing that we are not perfect, and he simply seeks the chance to forgive us and rebuilt a loving connection and relationship with us. Reconciliation, then, is not a place of judgment or punishment but a chance to reconcile with our Lord, to have the weight of our mistakes lifted from, and to give us another chance to live well and love well once again.
Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Sick is one of the Sacraments of healing in our Church. Throughout the life and ministry of Jesus, he would care for the sick and the dying in our comfort and even heal them. This ministry was passed on to the Apostles and earliest leaders of the Church and, then, to the priests. As is read in the Anointing ritual (taken from James 5:14-15): “Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them.”