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Saint Philip Rcia Session # 13 - “The Sacraments”

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Saint Philip Rcia Session # 13 - “The Sacraments” SAINT PHILIP RCIA SESSION # 13 - “THE SACRAMENTS” Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the proper disposition. —Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1131 SACRAMENTS DO WHAT THEY SIGNIFY IN BRIEF: Sacraments are signs that actually do what they Sacraments are signs that actually do signify. For example, Baptism is a washing that what they signify. actually cleanses us from sin; the Eucharist is real food that feeds us both physically and spiritually. Jesus Christ instituted the 7 sacraments They are physical acts through which God conveys and gave his apostles the power to pass grace and shares with us the divine life. A sacrament them on, so that they would be (from Latin sacramentum, “oath”) always involves available through the end of time. an oath, a promise to God. Sacraments work by the saving power of Christ. THERE ARE SEVEN SACRAMENTS The effectiveness of the sacrament does not depend on the holiness of the Jesus Christ instituted seven sacraments during his minister. ministry. He entrusted to the apostles and their successors the power to carry them out, so that the The effectiveness of the sacrament Church would have these sources of grace until the does depend on the disposition of the end of time. recipient. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are the Sacraments of Initiation, which lay the foundations of the Christian life. Reconciliation (Penance) and the Anointing of the Sick are the Sacraments of Healing, which heal and strengthen the soul weakened by illness and sin. Matrimony (Marriage) and Holy Orders (Ordination) are the Sacraments of Service, directed toward the salvation of others. THE SACRAMENTS WORK BY THE POWER OF CHRIST The sacraments work “by the very fact of the action’s performance” (Latin, ex opere operato), through the saving work of Christ. The effectiveness of the sacrament does not depend on the holiness of the minister, because it is Christ who acts. A sacrament is valid as long as the minister intends and does what the Church intends and does. However, the reception of grace in the sacrament does depend on the disposition of the recipient. The recipient must be willing to receive the sacrament, or at least not place an obstacle to it. THREE PARTS OF THE SACRAMENT: MATTER, FORM, AND MINISTER In each sacrament, God uses physical matter as the means by which He communicates His divine life (grace) to us. The form (prescribed words) of the sacramental rite make the physical signs (matter) supernatural. The minister is the person who performs the sacramental act. Christ works through the Church and the visible acts of the ministers, who vary according to the sacrament. For example, the matter of Baptism is water; the form is pouring water while saying, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”; the minister is usually a priest or deacon, but in an emergency (danger of death) it can be done by a layperson. RECEIVING THE SACRAMENTS WHAT ABOUT OTHER CHURCHES? To receive a sacrament, we must not only Catholics and the Orthodox Churches believe in desire the promised graces but also be the seven sacraments established by Jesus. ready to receive them (i.e., be in a state of Anglicans/Episcopalians teach that Jesus grace for Eucharist; be sincerely sorry for established two sacraments, Baptism and our sins and intend to reform our life for the Supper of the Lord [Communion], Penance, etc.). Receiving a sacrament but that the other five “are not to be unworthily is serious business. For counted for sacraments of the Gospel.” example, St. Paul says (speaking of the Similarly, most Protestant churches Eucharist), “Whoever eats the bread or accept only Baptism and Communion as drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy sacraments. However, many of them manner will be guilty of profaning the body understand these sacraments very and blood of the Lord” (1 Cor 11:27). differently from the way the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches do. Some, such as the Salvation Army, do not have any sacraments at all. WHERE IS THAT SACRAMENT IN THE BIBLE? Baptism: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt 28:19) Confirmation: “When Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them.” (Acts 19:6) Eucharist: “Take, eat; this is my body … Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matt 26:26-28) Penance: If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” (John 20:23) Matrimony: “What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” (Mark 10:9) (see also John 2:1-12) Holy Orders: “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19) Anointing of the Sick: “Let [the elders of the church] pray over him, anointing with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14) .
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