The 7 sacraments and their meaning

What are the 7 sacraments?

The seven sacraments of the Catholic Church are baptism, Eucharist, confirmation, marriage, priestly order, reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. These sacraments are also recognized by the Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church.

A sacrament is understood as a sensible and effective sign of divine grace, and a means to achieve holiness. The sacraments are said to be effective, because in them what they signify becomes a reality. Indeed, for believers, the sacraments communicate the real (but invisible) presence of God through a visible sign.

For the Church, the sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ. The arguments are found in different passages in the Gospels and in the letters of the Apostles, in the Bible. Next, let's see what each sacrament consists of, its meaning, its symbols and biblical foundations.

1. Baptism

Baptism of a baby. The photograph documents the moment when the water was poured over his head, in sign of his spiritual birth into the Christian life.

Baptism is a sacrament of initiation in which the contracting party receives the Holy Spirit, begins following the Gospel and joins the Church. The minister is usually a bishop, priest, or deacon. However, in case of danger of death, any baptized person can administer a emergency baptism. Baptism is aimed at both children and adults.

Meaning of baptism

The baptism ceremony represents the purification of original sin and turns the baptized person into a living temple of God. Therefore, baptism constitutes an invitation to holiness and the Church, and the beginning of a life founded on the Gospel.

The visible and obligatory sign of baptism is water, which represents the purification and renewal of life. The Church practices baptism by ablution, which consists of pouring water on the head of the person being baptized.

The sentence or form that seals the effectiveness of baptism is the following: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

There are other complementary elements of the baptismal liturgy, such as the anointing of oil and the Holy Chrism; the light of the paschal candle and the white garments. Oil is olive oil that is anointed on the chest to convey the gift of strength. The Holy Chrism is perfumed oil that is anointed on the head in representation of the Holy Spirit.

The light of the paschal candle is a long and thick candle that represents the risen Christ and the Christian duty to radiate his light. At baptism, it is transmitted to parents and godparents so that they increase the faith of the baptized. The white garments are the symbol of holiness and of the entrance to the "flock" of Christ, that is, to the Church (that is why in the past it was made of sheep's wool).

Biblical Foundations of Baptism

The foundation of baptism is in the gospels. According to these, John the Baptist administered the baptism of immersion in the waters of the Jordan River. Jesus was baptized by John before beginning his public life (see Matthew 3, 13-17; Mark 1, 9-11; Luke 3, 21-22; John 1,29-34).

The Gospels also indicate that Jesus entrusted the apostles to baptize: "Go, then, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28, 19). Other references are: Mark 16, 16 and John 3, 5; the Acts of the Apostles and the pastoral letters of Paul and Peter.

Delve into: Baptism.

2. Eucharist

Eucharist. The photograph documents the moment in which the priest prepares to carry out the consecration of the bread and the wine, which are found in the ciborium and the chalice respectively.

The Eucharist consists of the memorial of the life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, through the offering (consecration) of bread and wine to God. It also receives the name of communion. Likewise, the ceremony in which bread and wine are received for the first time is called First Communion. The minister of the Eucharist is the priest. The sacrament is addressed to the entire community of the faithful. The baptized and prepared can consume the bread in the form of a host.

Meaning of the Eucharist

The Eucharist is the sacrament par excellence of Catholicism, since it summarizes the entire Christian faith. The Eucharist is the visible sign of the presence of Jesus in the midst of the community of believers. The consecrated bread and wine recall the sacrifice of Christ and are considered his body and blood. In this way, they are the true presence of Jesus, material and spiritual food for the faithful.

The visible sign of the Eucharist is bread and wine, mixed with a little Water. Bread represents the fruit of daily work. Wine represents the fullness of life and the divine. Once consecrated, bread and wine are the body and blood of Christ. The water represents humanity, which implies that the faithful are present in the offering.

The prayer that consecrates the bread and wine as the body and blood of Christ is the following: "Take and eat all of him, because this is my Body that will be given up for you." «Take and drink all of him, because this is my Blood. Blood of the new and eternal covenant that will be shed for you and for all men for the forgiveness of sins.

Biblical foundations of the Eucharist

The biblical foundation of the Eucharist is found in the Gospel accounts of the Last Supper. According to the evangelists, Jesus took the bread and wine, blessed them, and distributed them as a sign of his body and blood. This done, he asked them to repeat this gesture in his memory (see Matthew 26, 17-30; Mark 14: 12-25; John 13, 1-15; Luke 22, 7-20). Other references are: John 6, 30-35; John 6, 48-58; First Letter to Corinthians 10, 16 and 11, 23-29.

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3. Confirmation

Confirmation ceremony. The bishop anoints the Holy Chrism on the forehead of the young man confirming, while his godfather places his right hand on his shoulder, as a symbol of support and guidance in the faith.

Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation that consists of the renewal of baptismal promises. Among them, the rejection of sin, the following of the gospel and the commitment to the Church. The minister is the bishop, who can delegate the function to a priest. The subject can be any baptized person who has taken the first communion.

Confirmation Meaning

Confirmation symbolizes the reaffirmation of Christian faith and commitment, enhanced by the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, intelligence, counsel, strength, science, piety, and the fear of God.

The material or visible sign of confirmation is the anointing of the Holy Chrism, a scented oil that symbolizes the strengthening of faith and the call to be a witness. Laying on of hands, which conveys God's blessing.

The prayer by which the sacrament of confirmation is sealed is: "Receive by this sign the gift of the Holy Spirit." Once pronounced by the bishop, the person is already confirmed.

Other complementary elements of the confirmation liturgy are: light of the paschal candle and the kiss of peace. Light is a symbol of the life-giving Holy Spirit. The kiss is a sign of the bishop's communion with the faithful.

Biblical Foundations of Confirmation

The main biblical foundation for confirmation is found in the Pentecost passage from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2, 1-13). According to the book, after Jesus' death and resurrection, the apostles hid out of fear.

At the end of fifty days, the Holy Spirit was poured out on them, strengthened their faith, filled them with gifts, and sent them out to preach the gospel. Other references are: Acts of the Apostles 19, 1-6. Second Letter to the Corinthians 1, 21-22. Ephesians 1, 13. Hebrews 6, 1-2.

See more in: Confirmation.

4. Marriage

Marriage is a sacrament of service that consists of the union between man and woman before God, with the purpose of founding a Christian family. Any confirmed and single person can contract ecclesiastical marriage. If a member of the couple is not Catholic, a special permit can be requested, which It is granted by the bishop and receives the name of dispensation.

Meaning of marriage

Marriage symbolizes the love and mutual dedication of the couple in a common life project, based on fidelity and service. The family that is constituted by marriage represents the primordial unity of the Church and society, since in it the values ​​of coexistence are taught and multiplied.

For this reason, marriage is the only sacrament in which the contracting parties act at the same time as ministers, subjects and visible sign. Only in this case, the priest acts as a qualified witness and transmits God's blessing to the couple.

The expression that seals the sacrament of marriage is the mutual consent of the union, which occurs when the members of the couple say: "Yes, I accept."

The complementary symbols of baptism are rings and earnest money. The rings they symbolize the loving alliance and the mutual dedication of the spouses. The earnest (coins) symbolize the communion of the material and spiritual goods of the couple.

Biblical Foundations of Marriage

The biblical foundation of the sacrament of marriage is found in the book of Genesis (chapters 1 and 2), where it speaks of the formation of the first couple, Adam and Eve. The gospel also supports the sacrament of marriage. There, Jesus endorses the sacred bond between man and woman, and speaks out against the act of repudiation (Matthew 5, 31-32; Matthew 19, 1-12; Mark 10, 1-12; Luke 16, 18).

See also: Marriage.

5. Priestly order

Priestly ordination. In the center and on the carpet, are the aspiring priests in a prostrate position, as a sign of absolute surrender and humility. Original photograph of the Opus Dei Information Office.

The priestly order is a sacrament of service by means of which an aspirant (baptized male) becomes a priest (priest) at the service of the Church. Its main functions are to evangelize and administer the sacraments. The minister who imposes the priestly order is the bishop. The subject who can receive it is the single, baptized and confirmed male male.

Meaning of the priestly order

The priestly order symbolizes the absolute consecration of the person to the following of Jesus. Both the priesthood and other forms of religious ordination express the exclusive and permanent commitment to the Christian faith, service to the Church, and evangelization.

The material or visible sign of the sacrament is the laying on of hands of the bishop on the aspirant. The prayer that is said to seal the sacrament is called the consecrative prayer. Pray as follows:

«We ask you, Almighty Father, that you entrust to these servants of yours the dignity of the priesthood; renew in their hearts the Spirit of holiness; receive from You the priesthood of the second degree and be, with your conduct, an example of life ».

Biblical foundations of priestly ordination

Ordination to the priesthood has its foundations in the gospel, particularly in the accounts of the Last Supper. According to this passage, Jesus asked his apostles to repeat the memorial of the sacrament in his name and to serve others, for which he set the example by washing their feet (see Matthew 26, 17-35; Mark 14, 12-22; John 13; Jn 15; Luke 22).

Other references are: Luke 10, 16. Acts of the Apostles 6, 6. Acts of the Apostles 15, 2-6. Acts of the Apostles 20, 17. Acts of the Apostles 21, 18. First Letter of Timothy 4, 14. Letter to Titus 1, 5.

6. Reconciliation

Sacrament of Reconciliation, celebrated in an outdoor space. The purple stole represents the role of the priest to grant forgiveness in the name of God.

Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing that consists of confessing sins and receiving God's forgiveness through the priest. It is also called confession or penance, although the latter is no longer used. The minister is the common priest. In extraordinary cases and depending on the severity, it may be the bishop or the Pope. The sacrament is intended for every baptized person who feels in fault (sin).

Meaning of reconciliation

Reconciliation represents the infinite mercy of God in the face of human frailty and the opportunity to walk towards holiness. It is also a source of peace of conscience and spiritual help in the face of temptation.

The visible sign or matter of reconciliation is confession of sins before the priest. The person must prepare a good examination of conscience, make an act of contrition (repentance); have the purpose of amendment (repair the damage) and fulfill the penance.

To give absolution of sins and seal the act of reconciliation, a short prayer or a long prayer can be used. These sentences are:

• Short form: "I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."
• Long way: «God, the merciful Father, who reconciled the world to himself through the death and resurrection of his Son and poured out the Holy Spirit for the remission of sins, grant you, through the ministry of the Church, forgiveness and peace. And I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ».

Biblical Foundations of Reconciliation

For Catholics, the New Testament authorizes priests to transmit God's forgiveness to penitents. For example: "Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; to whom you retain them, they are retained ”(John 20: 22-23).

Also: «I will give you (Peter) the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven; and what you bind on Earth will be bound in Heaven, and what you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven ”(Matthew 16:19).

Other references can be found in: Matthew 18, 18. Luke 15, 18-19. John 20, 21-23. Acts of the Apostles 19, 18. First Letter to the Corinthians 5, 3-5. Second Letter to the Corinthians 2, 6-11. Letter to Corinthians 5, 18-20. Letter of James 5, 16. First Letter of John 1, 8-9.

Delve into Confession.

7. Anointing of the Sick

Scene of the anointing of the sick (formerly extreme anointing). The priest is accompanied by a young acolyte who assists him in his service.

The anointing of the sick is a sacrament of healing that consists of transmitting God's grace, comfort and strength to people who are seriously ill (not necessarily in danger of death). The minister is the priest. The sacrament is addressed to any baptized person who is ill, incapacitated or in danger of death.

Meaning of the anointing of the sick

The sacrament of the anointing of the sick conveys the presence of Christ. It provides strength and comfort in illness, gives peace of conscience on the deathbed, and grants forgiveness of guilt for eternal life.

The visible sign of the sacrament (matter) is the union of the Holy Oils, which consists of blessed olive oil that is applied on the subject making the sign of the cross.

The prayer that seals the sacrament of the anointing of the sick is: «For this holy Anointing (the oil is anointed with the sign of the cross) and his most benign mercy, may the Lord forgive you all that you have sinned by means of sight , the hearing, the smell, the taste and the word, the touch, the walk. So be it".

Biblical Foundations of the Anointing of the Sick

The foundations of this sacrament are recorded in the biblical passages according to which Jesus cared for the sick. For the Catholic Church, Jesus made the presence of God felt by comforting and healing the sick (see Mark 6,13; Luke 13, 12-13).

On the other hand, the Letter of Santiago instructs on assisting the sick to bring physical and / or spiritual healing, signs of divine grace (James 5, 14-15). Other references are: Acts of the Apostles 9, 17-18; First Letter to Corinthians 12, 9.

Classification of the sacraments

The seven sacraments are classified according to their function into sacraments of initiation, of service and mission, and of healing.

• Sacraments of initiation: They are those that introduce people to the Christian faith and reaffirm them in following the gospel. Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation are included.
• Sacraments of service and mission: They are those that express a vocation or a life project. Marriage and the priestly order are included.
• Sacraments of Healing: are those who convey the consoling presence of God in suffering and physical and spiritual healing. It includes reconciliation and the anointing of the sick.

See also: What is a sacrament?