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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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: 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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: Jesus' "Last Supper" with his disciples
John 6: 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"

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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: the coming of the Spirit is closely associated with the Baptism of new believers

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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"

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

17. 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

18. 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: Jesus' disciples "anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them”
James 5: "call for the elders of the church and have them pray over (the sick), anointing them with oil in the names of the Lord."

19. 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

20. 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.

21. 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: Paul stresses the unity of husbands and wives
not simply Jesus' presence at the wedding at Cana, John 2:1-11

22. 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)

23. 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

24. 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: 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

25. 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