The Sacraments St. Mary’s R.C.I.A. Introduction Debbie

What is a Sacrament? Definitions: Latin: sacramentum; Greek: mysterion Rites/rituals performed in/by the Church, to convey God’s “grace” to believers Number of Sacraments? Catholics & Orthodox Christians: seven Most Protestants: only two (Baptism and Eucharist) comes from Greek word mysterion and Latin sacramentum the word "sacrament" refers to seven particular rites or rituals performed in and by the Church Aspects of each Sacrament: Effects and Ministers Central Words and Actions Biblical Basis

Types of Sacraments Sacraments of Initiation Sacraments of Healing Baptism Confirmation Eucharist Sacraments of Healing Penance /Reconciliation Anointing of the Sick Sacraments of Vocation Marriage / Matrimony Holy Orders

Baptism Effects Ministers Gk. baptizo = “dipped/immersed” in water. Becoming a member of Christ’s Church. Having one's sins forgiven. -Original sin and personal sin. Ministers Bishops Priests Deacons Anyone (in case of urgent need)

Central Words & Actions Baptism "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Actions Full immersion in water or pouring of water over head "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
(the "Trinitarian Formula," from Matt 28:19) Some Protestants baptize "in the name of Jesus"; see Acts 2 & 10) The catechumen is immersed in water, or water is poured over the candidate's head. Other symbols: anointing, candles, white garment Movie Clip – Jesus of Nazareth

Biblical Basis: Baptism Jesus’ Commands: Matt 28:19 Evangelists’ Theology: John 3:22; 4:1-2 Matt 28:19 - Jesus commissions the apostles: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" John 3:22; 4:1-2 - Jesus' first disciples baptize other disciples Acts 2:38-41; 10:47-48 - new believers are baptized "in the name of Jesus" by Peter & others;(not just Jesus' own baptism: Mark 1:9-11 & par.) Early Church Practice: Acts 2:38-41; 10:47-48 Etc.

Eucharist Effects Ministers Gk. Eucharistia = “thanksgiving” prayer Spiritually nourished by body and blood of Christ. United "in communion" with Christ and community. Gk. Eucharistia = “thanksgiving” prayer Ministers Being spiritually nourished by Christ's body and blood Being united "in communion" with Christ and other believers. Performed by Bishops or Priests Bishops Priests

Central Words & Actions Eucharist Long prayer of “Thanksgiving” Especially the Words of Institution “This is my body…” “This is my blood…” "This is my body... This is my blood..." (the "Words of Institution" from the Last Supper) The bread and wine are blessed/consecrated by the minister and received/shared by the communicants. Actions Bread and wine blessed by minister Received/shared by communicants.

Biblical Basis: Eucharist Gospel Theology: John 6:25-58 Jesus’ Last Supper: Mark 14:22-2 Matt 26: 26-30; Luke 22: 14-20; 1 Cor 11:23-29 Clip-Jesus of Nazareth Early Practice: Luke 24:35 Acts 2:42; etc. Emmaus Clip Mark 14:22-25; Matt 26:26-30; Luke 22:14-23; 1 Cor 11:23-25 - Jesus' "Last Supper" with his disciples John 6: 48-58 - the end of the Bread of Life discourse: "eat my flesh; drink my blood" Luke 24:35; Acts 2:42 - Christians gather for the "Breaking of the Bread"

Confirmation Effects Ministers Purpose: Ministers: Bishops; Strengthened by the Holy Spirit “Confirmed” in the fullness of Christian Faith Ministers Bishops Purpose: Strengthened by Holy Spirit “Confirmed” in fullness of Christian faith Ministers: Bishops; In some cases Priests Priests (in some cases)

Central Words & Actions Confirmation “(Name), be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” "(Name), be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” Laying on of hands (the bishop lays his hands on the head of the confirmed). Actions Bishop lays hands on the head of the confirmed

Biblical Basis: Confirmation Jesus John 20:22 Apostles Acts 8:17; 19:6 Acts 10:44-48 John 20:22 - "(Jesus) breathed on them (the disciples) and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'"; Acts 8:17; 19:6 - believers receive the Spirit, esp. through laying on of the apostle's hands Acts 10:44-48 - the coming of the Spirit is closely associated with the Baptism of new believers

Penance/Reconciliation Effects Forgiven of one’s sins Reconciled to God Reconciled to others Ministers Bishops Purpose: Begin forgiven of one's sins being reconciled to God the Church, and other people. Performed by Bishops or Priests Priests

Central Words & Actions Penance/Reconciliation “I forgive you of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Actions "I forgive you of all of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (the "Words of Absolution") The penitent confesses his sins, expresses contrition, and proposes amendment; the confessor suggests a penance and speaks the words of absolution. confesses his/her sins expresses contrition proposes amendment

Biblical Basis Penance/Reconciliation Jesus: Forgive! John 20:23 Matt 16:19; 18:18 James: Confess! James 5:16 John 20:23 - "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained"; Matt 16:19; 18:18 - more sayings on "binding and loosing"; James 5:16 - "confess your sins to one another"

Anointing of the Sick Effects Ministers Being strengthened in times of illness United in prayer with the community Ministers Bishops Priests

Central Words & Actions Anointing of the Sick "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up." Actions Anointing the sick person’s forehead and hands with blessed oil "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up." The minister anointing the sick persons forehead and hands with blessed oil

Biblical Basis Anointing of the Sick Disciples anoint the sick: Mark 6:7-13 Call elders to pray/anoint James 5:14-16 Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus' disciples "anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them” James 5:14-16 - "call for the elders of the church and have them pray over (the sick), anointing them with oil in the names of the Lord."

Matrimony/Marriage Effects Ministers United in the eyes of God and the Church Legally recognized as a couple Ministers The couple themselves! Being united ("one flesh") in God's eyes; becoming a publicly and legally recognized couple. Performed by the couple themselves; clergy are the official witnesses Clergy are witnesses

Central Words & Actions Matrimony/Marriage "I, (name), take you, (name), to be my husband/wife. I promise to be true to you…” Actions Husband and wife publicly promise fidelity and love. "I, (name), take you, (name), to be my husband/wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life." The husband and wife make these promises to each other publicly. Rings are exchanged as a visible sign of this verbal commitment. Optional: exchange of rings, lighting of candles, etc.

Biblical Basis Matrimony/Marriage God creates Male and Female Gen 2:24 Jesus versus Divorce Mark 10:2-12; Matt 19:1-9 Paul on spousal unity Eph 5:22-33; 1 Cor 7:10-16 Gen 2:24 - "a man leaves his parents and clings to his wife and they become one flesh” Mark 10:2-12; Matt 19:1-9 - Jesus teaches against divorce; "What God has joined together, let no one separate” Eph 5:22-33; 1Cor 7:10-16 - Paul stresses the unity of husbands and wives not simply Jesus' presence at the wedding at Cana, John 2:1-11

Holy Orders Effects Ministers Being “ordained” clergy in leadership “orders:” Bishops Priests Deacons Becoming member of "ordained" clergy, the church's official leadership "orders” Ordination for: Bishops Priests Deacons Ministers: Ministers Bishops (only)

Central Words & Actions Holy Orders “Prayer of Consecration” Actions Laying hands of ordained’s head. A long "Prayer of Consecration" The bishop lays his hands on the ordinand's head; he also anoints his hands and performs several other symbolic gestures Anointing hands with holy oil Several other symbolic gestures

Biblical Basis Holy Orders Jesus chooses Apostles: Mark 3:13-19; etc. The role of the Apostles Mark 10: 43-45 Laying on of Hands: Acts 6:6 1 Tim 4:14; 5:22 2 Tim 1:6 Mark 3:13-19 - Jesus "calls" and "appoints" the 12 apostles Acts 6:6; 1 Tim 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim 1:6 - "laying on of hands" as the "ordaining" or commissioning rite of local Christian leaders

Summary The Seven Sacraments Sacraments of Initiation Baptism Eucharist Confirmation Sacraments of Healing Penance/Reconciliation Anointing of the Sick Sacraments of Vocation Matrimony / Marriage Holy Orders