Introduction to the Sacraments of the Church

Fr Paul Stuart celebrating an RCIA Baptism over the ships Navy Bell

Sacraments

What is a Sacrament?

The Church uses physical objects, such as water and oil, symbols, outward signs, rituals and words, to make present things that cannot be seen, but in faith experienced as life giving and forms of the divine presence.

Jesus is the fundamental Sacrament of the Church

The fundamental sacrament in the Church is Jesus himself. Jesus, son of God became a physical human being so that we could come to know the unseen God, his Father. Throughout his life, Jesus revealed the Father. Jesus is the sacrament of the Father.

‘God so loved the world that he gave us his only Son.’ (John 3:16)

‘To have seen me is to see the Father’. (John 14:9)

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.

I baptise you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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.

the body of Christ blue tag with attached image of a little girl receiving her first communion

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.

The Sacraments of Healing

Penance and Reconciliation

The sacrament of penance and reconciliation is also known as the sacrament of confession, conversion and forgiveness. It is in this sacrament that Jesus’s love and mercy (forgiveness) is made present to us.

Anointing of the Sick

Jesus so often in the Gospels expressed his concern and care of the sick, healing many who were brought to him. Sickness, in many forms, touches each of us. The sacrament of anointing of the sick makes present God’s care for us, especially as we approach death. It is primarily the sacrament of healing, not of the dying, and can be sought any time.

The Sacraments of Service and Commitment

Marriage

In this sacrament of marriage a covenant is made between a man and woman in the presence of the church’s minister and two witnesses. The sacrament is expressed in their vows and in the exchange of rings. They confer the sacrament upon each other. It is a bond for life, with an openness to having children. The love expressed by the couple makes present the deep love that Christ has for them and us.

priest robes with sacramental ashes for the blessing of a priest during ordination

Holy Orders

Through the bishop, priests and deacons are entrusted with the ongoing work of making Christ present in the world. Whilst this duty is the task of all the baptised, those who are ordained by the laying on of hands are given the ministry of bringing people to holiness through service, especially by celebrating the sacraments.

There is so much more we could say about the sacraments. In short though the sacraments are powerful actions in which Jesus touches our lives, gives us a sense of the divine, yet still being grounded in ways we can understand and celebrate in our lives.

God of tenderness and mercy, thank you for the many ways you touch our lives. Help me to understand how the sacraments can enrich my life so that, in turn, I can also become a person of tenderness and mercy.
Amen

Sacramental records

All sacramental records from Catholic Defence chapels, be they on land or sea, are held and recorded in a central location at the Chancery in Canberra.

Sacramental enquiries

For enquiries relating to copies of a record of baptism, please complete this Baptismal Record Request form and return to the Chancery Office on sec@cmoa.org.au

For enquiries relating to Baptism & Marriage please contact your local Chaplain. Their details can be found on the Chapels page.

To Catholic Parishes: Please forward notifications of Catholic Confirmation and Marriage to the Chancery Office on sec@cmoa.org.au

Note: Sacramental records belonging to other faith groups e.g. Anglican need to notify that faith group through Navy, Army, or Air Force Chaplaincy, or ask to speak to a chaplain of that faith group through the Defence switch 1300 333 362