Sacraments

What is a sacrament?

Believe,then do. Faith without action is a struggling thing. It longs, it yearns for expression in time and place. I needs to breathe and walk abroad. You think you can lead believers? This is how to do it. This, above all and underlying all is priesthood.

The Sacraments, all seven, are what Christ left us for the journey. Water for new life, hands to confirm it, hands again to give priesthood, promises to unite man and woman, words of living power for absolution and oil for healing. Central to all, food for eternal life, the bread and wine which mask His body and blood. These carefully repeated actions are living signs which point to the Destination. They also give us His strength. They are real and effective, helping us to push on, fearlessly, towards the Goal.

A sacrament is a sacred sign by which we worship God, his love is revealed to us and his saving work accomplished in us. In the sacraments God shows us what he does and does what he shows us.

What is the first sacrament?

The first sacrament is the humanity of Jesus, 'the image of the invisible God' (Col 1:15). The second is the Church herself, 'the sacrament of union with God and of the unity of mankind' (Lumen Gentium, 1).

What are the sacraments of the Church?

The sacraments of the Church are the Eucharist, Baptism, Confirmation, Ministry (or Order), Marriage, Penance and the Anointing of the Sick.

Are these sacraments prayers?

These sacraments are the first and fundamental prayer of the Church by which we are joined to Christ in his prayer to the Father.

What mysteries are revealed and enacted in the sacraments of the Church?

In a sacrament of the Church there is revealed and enacted, firstly, a mystery of the Church herself, a realisation in history of the priestly work of Christ; and, secondly, through this a mystery of the Kingdom, a mystery of the Spirit in each of us, a mystery of grace.

Is a sacrament always effective?

A sacrament genuinely celebrated always brings about the priestly mystery of the Church that it signifies and through this, in one who is properly disposed to receive the Spirit, the mystery of grace.

Can we share in the mystery of grace without celebrating the sacrament?

We can share in the Spirit, the mystery of grace, by our desire to receive the sacrament, even if the celebration is in some way prevented; but in such a case the mystery of the Church is not enacted.


THE EUCHARIST

What is the greatest sacrament of the Church?

The greatest sacrament of the Church is the Eucharist; the sacred meal in which the unity of the Church in love is symbolised and effected, the sacrifice of Christ is recalled and the future unity of mankind in the Kingdom is anticipated.

What mystery of the Church is signified and brought about in the Eucharist?

The mystery of the Church that is signified and brought about in the Eucharist is the consecration of our offerings by which the body and blood of Christ our priest, sacrificed to
be our spiritual food, is sacramentally present under the appearances of bread and wine.

What mystery of grace is signified and brought about in the Eucharist?

The mystery of grace that is signified and brought about in the Eucharist is the unity of Christ's followers in the Spirit of charity.

When was the first Eucharist celebrated?

The first Eucharist was celebrated at the Last Supper when Christ, before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted, took bread and gave thanks and praise to his Father, He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and said: " Take this, all of you and eat it, this is my body which will be given up for you." When supper was ended he took the cup; again he gave thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples and said: "Take this, all of you, and drink from it. This is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all, so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me."

What happens to the bread and wine in the celebration of the Eucharist?

In the celebration of the Eucharist, when the presiding priest repeats the words of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit the bread and wine are consecrated, cease to be bread and wine and become the body and blood of Christ himself really present to us.

When the consecrated bread is broken or lifted up or carried about, do these things happen to Christ himself?

No: all such things happen only to the appearances by which Christ's presence is symbolised and effected.

Is the Eucharist a sacrifice?

The Eucharist is a sacrifice because in it the unique and all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ our priest is sacramentally represented and enacted.

Why is it necessary for a priest of the Church to preside at the Eucharist?

It is necessary for a priest to preside at the Eucharist because by ordination the priest is authorised to represent the whole Church at this gathering and to speak in the name of the whole Church and thus in the name of Christ himself.

Do all those present celebrate the Eucharist with the priest?

All those present do celebrate the Eucharist in unity with the priest: they express this by taking part in the prayers and hymns, by listening to the scripture readings and homily and, above all, by sharing in the body and blood of Christ in Communion.

How is Christ present in the Eucharist?

Christ is present in the Eucharist in the hearts of those celebrating through grace, in the word of God that is proclaimed and preached and, sacramentally, as a priest in the actions of his minister and as the food and drink that we share.

When should we receive Communion?

We should receive Communion whenever we are at Mass provided that we are not conscious of being at enmity with God and our neighbour through grave sin.



BAPTISM

What is Baptism?

Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation into the Church. We are immersed or washed in water while the following words are spoken: 'I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'

What mystery of the Church is signified and brought about in Baptism?

The mystery of the Church signified and brought about in Baptism is our sacramental sharing in the priesthood of Christ by a permanent consecration to the christian worship of God; this is called our baptismal character.

How do we exercise our baptismal priesthood?

We exercise our baptismal priesthood by acting as Christ did in bringing mankind before God in our prayer and bringing God before mankind by our witness. We exercise this priestly ministry in the whole of our christian lives but especially when we minister to others in need. Although we may sometimes express it in ecclesial acts (as when we fulfil the office of Reader, Acolyte ect.), it is distinct from the sacramental ministry of the ordained priest (cf.q.97 et seq.) in that it is not specifically directed to the ordering of the Church (cf. Lumen Gentium 10,11).

Should Baptism ever be repeated?

Baptism should never be repeated because our baptismal consecration is permanent.

What mystery of grace is signified and brought about in Baptism?

The mystery of grace that is signified and brought about in Baptism is sanctifying grace, our sharing through faith in the life of the Spirit.

In Baptism, are our sins forgiven?

In Baptism, we are not only freed from slavery to original sin but, because we are sacramentally reborn and incorporated into Christ to live by his Spirit, all our past personal sins are forgiven as well.

Is it appropriate to baptise babies?

It is appropriate to baptise babies unless they are to be brought up in infidelity; for, being human, they are not to be deprived of the gift of the Spirit through faith, even though they are not yet capable of the beliefs in which this faith will be expressed.

When is Baptism to be celebrated?

Baptism is most appropriately celebrated by the presiding bishop or priest during the Easter Vigil or at Pentecost or, failing that, in the course of a parish Mass; but it may be celebrated at any time and, in case of necessity, by anyone at all.

CONFIRMATION

What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is the completion of christian initiation into the Eucharistic life. It is normally celebrated by a bishop who anoints the recipient with chrism and says: 'Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.' A priest may celebrate this sacrament when receiving a convert to full communion with the Church and on certain other occasions.

What mystery of the Church is signified and brought about in Confirmation?

The mystery of the Church that is signified and brought about in Confirmation is a sharing in the priesthood of Christ by a permanent consecration to the mission of christian witness, this is called the character of Confirmation.

What mystery of grace is signified and brought about in this sacrament?

The mystery of grace that is signified and brought about in the Confirmation is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit by which we are brought to maturity in Christ. We receive the gifts of 'wisdom and understanding, of right judgement and courage, the gifts of knowledge and reverence and the gift of wonder and awe in the presence of God (cf. Is 11:2) so that our lives become a witness to God's love.


MINISTRY

What is the sacrament of Ministry (or Order)?

By the sacrament of Ministry particular members of the community are ordained to share in a special (sacramental) way in the priesthood of the Church which is the priesthood of Christ. Their function is to represent, to teach and to govern the christian community. Their priesthood, though related to the common priesthood of the baptised, is distinct from it in being directed specifically to the ordering of the Church (cf. Lumen Gentium, 10).

What are the sacramental ministries in the Church?

The sacramental ministries in the Church are those of bishop, priest and deacon.

What is a bishop?

A bishop is a successor of the apostles with the responsibility for preaching the word of God, celebrating the sacraments and governing the Church of a particular area.

What is collegiality?

Collegiality is the common responsibility which the bishops share for the entire christian community throughout the world (cf. Lumen Gentium, 22).

What is an Ecumenical Council?

An Ecumenical Council is an exercise of collegiality in which the bishops of the world gather to promote the renewal of the Church and to decide questions of teaching and of church order.

What is the Pope?

The Pope is the bishop of Rome and Patriarch of the western part of the Church. Because Rome is the traditional See of Peter, the leader of the apostles, its bishop has a primacy amongst all the bishops of the world and has an unique responsibility for the whole Church throughout the world.

What is a priest of the Church?

A priest is one appointed to co-operate with the bishop in the work of preaching and celebrating the sacraments (Presbyterorum Ordinis,7).

What is a deacon?

A deacon is one appointed to co-operate with the bishop and priests in preaching, in the liturgy and in organising the almsgiving and social work of the Church Lumen Gentium, 29).

Who ordains bishops, priests and deacons?

Bishops, priests and deacons are ordained by bishops with the consent of the the people of God.

What mystery of the Church is signified and brought about in the sacrament of Ministry?

The mystery of the Church signified and brought about in this sacrament is ministerial character, a particular sharing in the priesthood of Christ by a permanent consecration to the work of the ministry.

What mystery of grace is signified and brought about in the sacrament of Ministry?

The mystery of grace signified and brought about in this sacrament is that indwelling of the Spirit by which ministers become not only officials of the Church but in their lives visibly representatives of Christ carrying out their mission to preach the gospel.

What do we mean when we say that the Church is infallible?

When we say that the Church is infallible we mean that when speaking as and for the whole Church, because of the guidance of the Holy Spirit, she cannot teach what is contrary to the gospel; that is, on matters of faith or of morals she cannot be in error.

How is the infallibility of the Church expressed?

The infallibility of the Church is ordinarily expressed in the common teaching of her bishops and other preachers; on special occasions when an Ecumencial Council has to decide whether some disputed point of doctrine is the common teaching or not; and occasionally, by the Pope making a similar decision outside a Council but in consultation with the other bishops. Infallible decisions of this kind are extremely rare (Lumen Gentium, 25).


MARRIAGE

What is the sacrament of Marriage?

Marriage is the sacrament in which a baptised man and woman vow to belong to each other in a permanent, exclusive, sexual partnership of loving and mutual care, concern and shared responsibility, in the hope of having children and bringing up a family.

Who celebrates the sacrament of Marriage?

The celebrants of the sacrament of Marriage are the bride and bridegroom. However, for a valid celebration of the sacrament by one of her members, the Church , nowadays, normally requires that a priest and two others be present as witnesses to the vows.

What mystery of the Church is signified and brought about in the sacrament of Marriage?

The mystery of the Church signified and brought about in this sacrament is the marriage bond: that sharing in the priesthood of Christ by which the two partners are permanently consecrated to each other and to their children.

What mystery of grace is signified and brought about in the sacrament of Marriage?

The mystery of grace that is signified and brought about in the sacrament of Marriage is a sharing in the Spirit by which the two partners grow in mutual love and are enabled to face together the problems of married life to make of their family an image of the Church united in charity. This sacrament is a sign of the union in love between Christ and his bride, the Church (cf Eph 5).

Can marriage be repeated?

Marriage cannot normally be repeated while both partners are alive; for their consecration to each other is permanent. A civil divorce does not dissolve the valid marriage of baptised persons.

What is an annulment?

An annulment is an official recognition by the Church that what was thought to have been a marriage was for one reason or another invalid.


PENANCE (RECONCILIATION)

What is the sacrament of Penance?

The sacrament of Penance is the rite by which, through the ministry of the Church, we are reconciled to God even when we have sinned gravely (or 'mortally') after being liberated from original sin in Baptism.

What is required for the forgiveness of sins in this sacrament?

For the forgiveness of grave sin, through the sacrament of Penance, it is necessary that we should be sorry for our sin, wish to be forgiven and propose, by God's grace, not to sin again. It is usually necessary that we confess all our grave sins to a priest who will give us the absolution of the Church. A symbolic 'penance' will normally be imposed which we perform as a sign of our contrition for past sins and of our renewed life in Christ.

What are the usual words of absolution?

When giving absolution, the priest normally says: 'God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit amongst us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church, may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.'

What mystery of the Church is signified and brought about in the sacrament of Penance?

The mystery of the Church signified and brought about in this sacrament is reconciliation with our fellow-christians and the restoration of the exercise of our baptismal priesthood which has been impeded by our sin.

What mystery of grace is signified and brought about in the sacrament of Penance?

The mystery of grace signified and brought about in this sacrament is contrition, that total conversion from sin by which we are reconciled to God and live once more as his friends and children, by his Holy Spirit.

Is the sacrament of Penance only for those in grave sin?

The sacrament of Penance is principally intended for those in grave sin; but it may also be genuinely celebrated by those whose sins do not amount to enmity with God.

Is individual confession of all grave sins necessary for celebration of this sacrament?

Individual confession of grave sins is normally necessary for the private celebration of the sacrament; but, in certain circumstances, it may be omitted and it is not part of the rite of the general public celebration of Penance.

Can grave sins be forgiven without the sacraments of Baptism or Penance?

If the celebration of Baptism or Penance is prevented, grave sins can be forgiven through honest desire for these sacraments, without the actual celebration of either.

Can sins which are not grave be forgiven without the sacrament of Penance?

Sins which are not grave are forgiven by any increase of our love for God and for each other. The forgiveness of such sins is part of the celebration of the sacrament of love, the Eucharist.


THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK

What is the Anointing of the Sick?

The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the rite in which one who is seriously ill is prayed for by the Church and anointed with oil as a sign of healing (cf. Jas 5:14-16).

What mystery of the Church is signified and brought about in this sacrament?

The mystery of the Church that is signified and brought about in the Sacrament of Anointing is the strengthening of the sick so that they either be restored to the public exercise of their baptismal priesthood, which has been impeded by sickness, or else make of their act of death a final sharing in the priestly act of Christ.

What mystery of grace is signified and brought about in this sacrament?

The mystery of grace signified and brought about in the Anointing of the Sick is the renewal of the life of the Spirit so that the recipient, whether in recovery or in dying, may be united more closely with Christ, our healer, and be a sign of love to the world.

By whom should this sacrament be received?

This sacrament should be received by any of the baptised as soon as they are found to be suffering from serious sickness - the kind of sickness which might be given as a cause of death - or even if they are simply in danger of death from old age. If death seems imminent this sacrament is accompanied by the Viaticum, the last Communion before the journey through death to resurrection.



"The Theology of the Catholic Church - A New Catechism of Christian Doctrine" (TS, London, 1985),
Pages 14-25. Father Herbert McCabe, O.P.
Used with permission.