Receiving the Sacraments
The Catholic Church teaches Seven Sacraments:
1. Baptism forgives all personal sin, takes away
original sin (but leaves concupiscence, a tendency
toward sin), infuses sanctifying grace, and is
necessary for salvation. Baptism imprints in the
soul a character, a certain spiritual and indelible
Sign, and so can only be received validly once.
Persons of any age may be baptized, from infant
to adult. Only the baptized may receive the other
Sacraments. The grace received by baptism may
be lost by the commission of an actual mortal sin.
2. Confession forgives any sins committed after
Baptism. But if you are not repentant, then you
are not forgiven. Only a Bishop or a priest can
absolve sins in Confession. An actual mortal sin
occurs when one does something that is seriously
immoral, with full deliberation and knowledge.
To be forgiven, admit your sin in Confession,
with true sorrow (regret for sin) and repentance (a
turning away from sin, toward the love of God
and neighbor). Confession restores the state of
salvific grace lost by actual mortal sin.
3. Communion (the holy Eucharist) may only be
received by baptized Catholics who are not aware
of any unconfessed actual mortal sins. Reception
of this Sacrament is a sign of unity with other
Catholics within the teachings and practices of
the Catholic Faith. Those who obstinately doubt
or deny any of the required beliefs of the Catholic
faith are not permitted to receive this Sacrament
(cf. Canon Law 751, 1364). When consecrated,
the bread and wine of the holy Eucharist becomes
literally the body and blood of Jesus Christ, such
that all of Christ is present: His human nature and
His Divine Nature, united in One Divine Person.
4. Confirmation imprints in the soul a character,
a certain spiritual and indelible Sign, and so can
only be received validly once. Confirmed persons
are called to profess faith in Christ publicly, and
to spread the Gospel message, in accord with the
ability and circumstances of their life. The seven
gifts of the Holy Spirit received in Confirmation
are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude,
knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Receiving
this Sacrament, with Baptism and Communion,
completes a persons initiation into the one holy
catholic and apostolic Church.
5. Holy Matrimony is a Sacrament established
by Jesus Christ for the benefit and salvation of the
husband and wife, and their children. Marriage as
a Sacrament differs from ordinary marriage; it is
a true source of grace for the spouses, and unites
husband and wife in a holy bond before God.
True marriage is only between one man and one
woman, and only death can break the bond of this
Sacrament. Marital relations is a fundamental part
of this Sacrament: May marriage be honorable in
every way, and may the marriage bed be
immaculate. (Heb 13:4).
6. Holy Orders is the means that Christ uses to
provide the faithful with true shepherds after His
own heart; this Sacrament imprints in the soul a
character, a certain spiritual and indelible Sign,
and is received only once, but in three degrees:
deacon, priest, bishop. The Pope is both a bishop
and the leader of all bishops; he is the successor
to Saint Peter. By ordination, a bishop becomes a
true successor to the first Apostles. Priests are
ordained to be assistants to the bishops, and to
offer the faithful the Gospel and the Sacraments.
Deacons assist both bishops and priests; they are
appointed to serve the faithful in works of mercy
and to preach the Gospel (cf. Acts 6). Ordained
persons have a role in the Church that is not given
to the laity. Consecrated persons (monks and
nuns) are non-ordained members of the laity.
7. Anointing of the Sick (or Extreme Unction or
Last Rites) anoints chronically ill, sick, injured,
or dying persons, offering forgiveness from sin,
abundant grace, and healing in body and soul. Is
anyone ill among you? Let him bring in the
priests of the Church, and let them pray over him,
anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
And a prayer of faith shall save the infirm, and
the Lord shall alleviate him. And if he has sins,
these shall be forgiven him. (James 5:14-15).
All Seven Sacraments were established by Jesus
Christ during His Ministry and have been in use
by the Church from its inception. The Sacraments
provide grace, from the sacrificial death of Christ
on the Cross, to the faithful throughout their lives,
from birth to death. Reception of the Sacraments
in accord with the teaching of the Church is the
ordinary means of salvation for all the faithful.
