Sacramental Formation

The Seven Sacraments – Divine Encounters with God

What is a “sacrament”?

An easy description of a Sacrament is “A visible sign of an invisible grace”.  In other words, something you can see to help you understand something you cannot see.  As Catholics, we believe there are 7 Sacraments to help us all grow in God’s grace.  

The official Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church are rooted in two (2) things: 

  1. The life and ministry of Jesus Christ

  2. The Tradition of the Catholic Church (the Church’s wisdom, teaching, and practice handed down through the ages under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.) 

As the Church grew in its understanding of what God revealed through Jesus’ life and teachings, Christians came to recognize 7 primary ways God’s grace is active in our lives:

  • We are brought to new life.

  • We are strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

  • We share in Jesus’ sacrifice, death, and Resurrection.

  • Our sins are forgiven.

  • We are healed of illnesses.

  • Some serve others through a special call to minister in the Church.

  • Some are called to share love and the creation of new life in marriage.

The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church

  • Baptism

    • Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit  and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." ( Catechism of the Catholic Church 1013)

  • Confirmation

    • Chrism oil is used to seal and strengthen the Gifts of the Holy Spirit we receive in the Sacrament of Baptism. Because of Confirmation we have a better understanding of the Holy Spirit and the gifts He brings into our lives.

  • Holy Eucharist

    • Living a “supernatural” life would require “supernatural” food… Christ’s own Flesh and Blood, the fruit of His Sacrifice on the Cross, become a source of strength and unites us with one another in the life of His Church.

  • Confession

    • Also known as Penance and Reconciliation. The sacrament of Confession restores us to the life of grace.

  • Marriage

    • The union of man and woman symbolizes the love Christ has for His Bride, the Church.

  • Holy Orders

    • The sacrament by which men are set aside and “given orders” by Christ for the sanctification of the Christian people. Bishops, Priests and Deacons are “ordained” to teach the faith, sanctify the Christian people in the Liturgy and the sacraments, and shepherd the Church.

  • Anointing of the Sick

    • God provides for every moment of our journey through time, especially the most trying ones. When we experience illness or danger of death, this Sacrament uses the prayer of the Church, pardon of sins, oil to strengthen us, and Holy Communion to help us as we heal or as we transition from time on earth to time in eternity.

Participating in The Seven Sacraments

The Jesus desired to be with us always (Matthew 28:20) It important to know we can’t “earn” God’s grace… but we can dispose ourselves to His grace principally by prayer and formation.