Sacraments are our meeting points with God
Sacraments are the ways in which we experience God’s love, healing, forgiveness, nourishment and strengthening. They are outward signs combined with a prescribed form of words, use of physical symbols and physical vestures conferring specific grace upon those who receive them.
The Seven Sacraments
There are seven sacraments of the Church that can be grouped under three headings:
- Sacraments of initiation
- Sacraments of healing
- Sacraments of service and commitment
The Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist (sometimes called Communion) are the sacraments of Initiation. These complete the full initiation process of becoming Catholic.
Baptism is the first sacrament, and it is the gateway to the other sacraments as it incorporates us into the community of the Church and cleanses us from the power of evil.
Confirmation is the strengthening of the action of the Holy Spirit in the life of the person being confirmed. It conforms us in the faith, imparting the spiritual gifts of the Spirit – wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Like any gift, these spiritual gifts need to be understood and built up in life expressing justice, love and mercy as we journey into adulthood and love in the world.
Eucharist is the sacrament of ‘receiving’ primarily in the celebration of Mass. By ‘receiving’ we mean consuming the bread and wine which is changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. The Holy Eucharist is integral to the lives of all Catholics that in turn within our humanity become the Body of Christ to others.