In this edition, we will examine the seven Sacraments. First, we will define ‘Sacrament’ in general. Then, in subsequent editions we will take a brief look at each of the seven sacraments.
What Are Sacraments?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, ‘The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us’ (#1131). This sounds complex and too theological, so let’s break it down.
The word efficacious means ‘effective.’ This means that according to Catholic teachings and belief, sacraments do what they say they do because of God’s power present in them.
A sign is an object, word, or gesture that points to something beyond itself. According to Catholic teaching, sacraments use all kinds of human objects, words, and gestures, but all of this point to something greater, to God and His grace.
Grace. The Church defines grace as God’s free gift of His presence, His help, and His salvation. The Church believes that sacraments point to and are channels of God’s grace. They work as an effective means of communication between God and His people. They are the continuation of Christ’s ministry in history. Insofar as Christ continues to be present in the world, he is present sacramentally; that is, he instituted them as ways in which He could be present to His people even after His Ascension into Heaven. The sacrament is an outpouring of Christ’s love, which dispenses divine life. They are entrusted by Christ to the Church to dispense them to the faithful. People who receive the sacraments actually share in the divine life of God. He helps them to live the Christian life, and preserves them for eternal life. Through the sacraments, God justifies and sanctifies His people, He builds up the Church and He receives worship.
The Seven Sacraments and its connection with Jesus Christ
Baptism: During Christ public ministry, he called his disciples to follow him and incorporated them into himself by the gift of the Holy Spirit. These actions are continued in the sacrament of baptism and confirmation. The essential rite of baptism is very simple. The person celebrating the sacrament (usually a priest) says ‘I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’ while pouring water over the head of the person receiving the sacrament or dipping the person in water. For the Catholic Faith, baptism is the sacrament of salvation and the door to all other sacraments.
Holy Eucharist: Jesus often shared meals with his disciples, and most important of these meals is the Last Supper and the supper on the road to Emmaus. These he continues to share with us in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Those who partake in the Eucharist receive the real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, the nourishment of our souls by which we share in God’s own life.
Confirmation: The sacrament of confirmation confers special graces of the Holy Spirit upon the person being confirmed; just as such graces were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost day. Like baptism, therefore, it can be performed only once, and confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at baptism. This helps the confirmed to publicly proclaim the faith and lead a mature Christian life. The rite of confirmation, usually performed by a bishop, involves the anointing with chrism (holy oil), the laying on of hands, and the words ‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.’
Reconciliation: Jesus during his ministry repeatedly forgives sinners and reconciles them to God. This sacrament elongates this ministry to the present. In this sacrament, which is also called ‘confession’ or ‘penance,’ a Catholic confesses his/her sins in the spirit of true repentance and receives forgiveness and restoration of grace. The priest acts as a visible representative of Christ, who forgives sins through Him, when he says the words of absolution: ‘I absolve you of your sins in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.’
Anointing of the sick: Jesus during his ministry healed the sick and bound up the wounded, especially those afflicted in body and spirit. This ministry continued by the priests offers the comfort of God’s grace to those who are ill. The sacrament provides spiritual and sometimes physical healing, according to God’s will, but also allows the sick person to unite his or her sufferings to Christ and prepare for death. The essential rite of this sacrament involves anointing with the oil of the sick and prayer.
Matrimony: Jesus blessed the wedding at Cana by his presence and further by the miracle of turning water into wine. Thus, he continues to bless this union by his sacramental presence in their life-long covenant of self-giving love. The two spouses give their consent to join together in marriage and God gives special grace for the fulfillment of their commitment to each other.
Holy Order: Jesus chose and commissioned his apostles to go forth and proclaim the kingdom and baptize all who believe (Mt. 28:19-20). Through the sacrament of Holy Orders, baptized men receive the authority and ability to share in the mission that Christ entrusted to his apostles. This is done by the bishop’s laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration. These are in three orders: Episcopate (Bishop), Presbyterate (Priest) and Diaconate (Deacon). In conclusion, the sacraments are Jesus’ actions and ministry continued by the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit. In them, God increases his life of grace in us; they are God’s way of reaching down to us and offering us a lifelong gift. These sacraments touch all the stages of our Christian life, and so we ought to have a great desire for them because they are great means of salvation.
• Rev. Sr. Mary-Judith Madueke, EHJ is the Director of Religious Education, Archdiocese of Lagos
