The Sacraments

A sacrament is a visible form of invisible grace; that is to say, a sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.

There are Seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Matrimony, Penance, Anointing and Ordination. Of these, Baptism and Eucharist are Gospel Sacraments, instituted by Christ himself. 

Baptism is birth into the New Life, the Life of Grace, and incorporates us into Christ. It makes us members of Christ’s Church, and heirs to God’s Kingdom. A person is baptised with water, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Confirmation strengthens us in the Life of Grace entered upon in Baptism. In confirmation we dedicate ourselves to Christ by conscious and willing choice; and in confirmation we receive, within our souls, the power of the Holy Spirit, who brings the seven-fold gift of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, godliness, and reverence.

Through his redemptive sacrifice Christ gained for us the forgiveness of sins and the gift of life in abundance. That is why the Eucharist, which makes the sacrifice of Christ ever present to the People of God, is the central sacrament of the Church. The Holy Eucharist is the continual remembrance of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again. In the Eucharist we are united with Christ in mystic communion, we are renewed in the life of grace, and our unity with all Christ’s Church is deepened and strengthened.

Because Matrimony is the counterpart of the oneness of Christ with his Church, marriage presents that union to us in visible form. It is, in essence, a rite of blessing that dignifies human love and makes it holy. In the ceremony, the couple are the ministers, and the priest the witness.   

The Sacrament of Penance removes the sin which damages our life and our spiritual nature, and restores us to a state of harmony with God.

Anointing or Holy Unction ensures Christ’s help in circumstances of sickness. The Sacrament is not only given in preparation for transition, when it is called Extreme Unction, but is also used more generally by us to aid in the restoration of health.

Ordination is the rite in which, by prayer and the imposition of hands, authority and the grace of the Holy Spirit are given to those being received into Holy Orders.