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SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Baptism is the door to the Holy Spirit and gate way to the other sacraments, either by actual
Reception or by a desire. By it the believer is freed from sins, are reborn again as children of
God, made a member of Christ and of the Church, and given a share in the Church's mission.
Baptism is necessary for salvation.
Baptism is the sacrament through which we are made sons and daughters of God.
Through Baptism we are freed from sin and become members of Christ.
It joins us into the Church and makes us sharers in her mission.
Types of Baptism:
1. Baptism by water (Universal baptism)
2. Baptism by blood (suffering martyrdom/ death for the sake of the faith (cf. Mt 10:39).
3. Baptism by desire (loving God above all things, being sorry for sins and ardently
Longing for baptism when it is impossible to have it. E.g. catechumens) cf. CCC 1257-
1261.
The rite of Baptism
Starts with the reception of the candidate and welcome by the celebrant
i) Sign of the cross (the imprint of Christ). Mark of belonging to Christ, it signifies the
Redemption won for us by him.
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ii) The Word of God enlightens the person and the assembly with the revealed truth and calls
Forth a response and entry to the life of faith.
iii) The exorcism shows freedom from sin and from the devil's power. This is completed by
the laying on of hands and the anointing with the oil of catechumens. The person can then
profess the faith of the Church, to which he will be entrusted by Baptism
iv). The baptismal water. The consecration of the baptismal water asks that the Father send
the Spirit upon the water (epiclesis), so that those who will be baptized in it may be "born of
water and the Spirit." (cf. Jn 3:5; CCC 1238).
v) The Baptism itself is the essential rite and brings about death to sin and entry into new life.
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This is conferred by a triple immersion into the water or by (infusion) pouring the water three
times over the candidate's head. The triple immersion of infusion is a companied by the
minister’s words of Trinitarian formula "N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The Latin Church uses similar words "The Servant of God
is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"
vi). The anointing with sacred chrism. Perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the
gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become Christian and incorporated into
Christ who is anointed of God ass priest, prophet, and king. In the East, this anointing is
Chrismation (Confirmation). In the Roman liturgy, this anointing announces that Confirmation
will be received years later.
vii) The white garment symbolizes the person baptized is now spotless with grace has “put
on Christ” has risen with Christ thus sharing in Christ's new life.
viii) The candle symbolizes the inner enlightenment by Christ, in him the neophyte has become
"the light of the world" and hence should ever keep burning in his heart the light of faith and
virtue (cf. Phil 2:15). The newly baptized is now (a child of God) can say "Our Father" the
prayer of the children of God
ix) First Holy Communion. The neophyte can now be admitted to "the marriage supper of the
Lamb" (Rev 19:9). The Latin Church (reserving Eucharist to those who have attained the age
of reason) expresses this Eucharistic orientation by having the baptized child brought to the
altar for the "Our Father"
x) Three final solemn blessings (of which the blessing of the mother has a special place)
complete the rite
The garment and the candle are kept as reminders of one’s baptism.
Who can receive Baptism? "Every person not yet baptized" and only such a person is "able
to be baptized"
Ministers of Baptism
• Bishop, Priest, Deacon, Anyone can baptize at the hour of the death.
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Evaluation and Revision Questions

➢ What is the first sacrament to be received by a Christian?

➢ What is Baptism?

➢ Who qualifies to receive the sacrament of Baptism?

➢ What does Baptism do to us?

➢ Who are the ministers of Baptism?

➢ Who baptized Jesus?

➢ On which river was Jesus baptized?

SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
Holy Eucharist is the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ hidden under the appearances of
the bread and wine. The most venerable Sacrament is the blessed Eucharist, in which Christ the
Lord
himself is contained, offered and received, and by which the church continually lives and grows.
The
Eucharist sacrifice, the memorial of his death and resurrection of the Lord, in which the sacrifice
of the
Cross is forever perpetuated, is the summit and the source of all worship and Christian life.
By means of it the unity of God’s people is signified and brought about, and the building up of
the body
of Christ is perfected. Those baptized and confirmed are fully initiated into the Church by
receiving first Eucharist, it completes Christian initiation. It is the sum and summary of our
faith. Eucharist celebration unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life
when
"Do this in memory of me": The command of Jesus to repeat his actions and words "until he
comes" does not only ask us to remember Jesus and what he did. It is directed at the liturgical
celebration, by the apostles and their successors, of the memorial of Christ, of his life, of his
death, of his Resurrection, and of his intercession in the presence of the Father. God will be all
in all.
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The Eucharist, the sacrament of our salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross, is also a
sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for the work of creation. In the Eucharistic sacrifice the
whole of creation. Loved by God is presented to the Father through the death and the
Resurrection of Christ. Through Christ the Church can offer the sacrifice of praise in
thanksgiving for that entire God has made good, beautiful, and just in creation and in humanity.
The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church
expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has accomplished through
creation, redemption, and sanctification. Eucharist means first of all "thanksgiving."
The essential signs of the Eucharistic sacrament are wheat bread and grape wine, on which the
blessing of the Holy Spirit is invoked and the priest pronounces the words of consecration
spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper: "This is my body which will be given up for you ....
This is the cup of my blood....
Different names of the Sacrament of the Eucharist and their Aspects
Eucharist as a sacrament has many names which are:
1. Eucharist – Because is an action of thanksgiving to God, which recalls the Jewish
blessings that proclaim God's mighty works (cf. Lk 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24ff; Mt 26:26).
2. Lord's Supper – Because is a memorial of the Last Supper the Lord took with his
Apostles on the eve of his passion; and because it anticipates the heavenly wedding
feast of the Lamb in the heavenly Jerusalem (cf. 1 Cor 11:20; Rev 19:9).
3. Broken Bread – Because Jesus used the rite of breaking the bread, part of the Jewish
practice of blessing and distributing bread which Jesus used at the Last Supper. After
the Resurrection, the two disciples recognized Jesus by this action of the breaking of
the bread (Lk 24:31). After Pentecost, the disciples "devoted themselves... to the
breaking of the bread" (the earliest Christian term for Eucharist) (Acts 2:42).
4. Eucharistic Assembly (synaxis) – Because the Eucharist is celebrated amid the
assembly of faithful the visible expression of the church.
5. Memorial - As a recollection of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection.
6. Holy Sacrifice – because it makes present the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, and it
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includes church’s offering (cf. Heb 13:15; 1 pt 2:5; Ps 116:13, 17).

7. Holy and Divine Liturgy – because the Church's whole liturgy finds its most intense
expression in the celebration of this sacrament (Sacred mysteries).
8. The Most Blessed Sacrament - Because the Eucharist is the Sacrament of sacraments.
This name is also given to the Eucharistic species reserved in the tabernacle.
9. Holy Communion – Because by it we are united ourselves to Christ. (Also used are -
holy things, bread of angels, bread from heaven, medicine of immortality, viaticum....)
10. Holy Mass (Missa) - The liturgy concludes with a sending forth (Missio) of the faithful,
so that they fulfil God’s will in their daily lives.
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Evaluation and Questions for Reflection

➢ Who celebrates the liturgy?

➢ How is the liturgy celebrated?

➢ When is the liturgy celebrated?

➢ Where is the liturgy celebrated?

➢ What are the different names given to Eucharist?

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Confirmation completes the baptismal grace. "By Confirmation, the baptized are more bound
to the Church, enriched by a special strength of the Spirit, and more strictly obliged to spread
and defend the faith." “Baptism, the Eucharist and the sacrament of Confirmation together
constitutes the sacraments of Christian initiation, whose unity must be safe guarded”
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge,
piety, and fear of the Lord.
THE SIGNS AND THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION
In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing and what it
signifies and imprints: a spiritual seal.
Acts 8:15-17; 19:5-6; Heb 6:2.
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Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning: oil is a sign of
abundance and joy}D2 it cleanses (anointing before and after a bath) and limbers (the anointing
of athletes and wrestlers); oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds;103
and it makes radiant with beauty, health, and strength.
Anointing with oil has all these meanings in the sacramental life. The pre-baptismal anointing
with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthening; the anointing of the sick
expresses healing and comfort. The post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in
Confirmation and ordination is the sign of consecration. By Confirmation Christians, that is,
those who are anointed, share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness
of the Holy Spirit with which he is filled, so that their lives may give off "the aroma of Christ."
By this anointing the confirmand receives the "mark," the seal of the Holy Spirit. A seal is a
symbol of a person, a sign of personal authority, or ownership of an object. Hence soldiers
were marked with their leader's seal and slaves with their master's. A seal authenticates a
juridical act or document and occasionally makes it secret.
The celebration of Confirmation
The consecration of the sacred chrism is an important action that precedes the celebration of
Confirmation, but is in a certain way a part of it. It is the bishop who, in the course of the
Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday, consecrates the sacred chrism for his whole diocese. In 1241
some Eastern Churches this consecration is even reserved to the patriarch:
When Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, as is the case in the Roman Rite,
the Liturgy of Confirmation begins with the renewal of baptismal promises and the profession
of faith by the confirmands. This clearly shows that Confirmation follows Baptism.l11 When
adults are baptized; they immediately receive Confirmation and participate in the Eucharist.
In the Roman Rite the bishop extends his hands over the whole group of the confirmands.
Since the time of the apostles this gesture has signified the gift of the Spirit. The bishop invokes
the outpouring of the Spirit in these words:
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All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your
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sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be
their helper and guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right
judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of
wonder and awe in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
• In the Roman Rite the bishop extends his hands over the whole group of the
confirmands. Since the time of the apostles this gesture has signified the gift of the
Spirit.
• The consecration of the sacred chrism is an important action that precedes the
celebration of Confirmation.
• During holy Thursday the consecration of three oils is done in cathedral by bishop
• Oil of catechumens, oil of chrism and oil of anointing of the sick
• Oil of chrism is used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders
• In every diocese we have cathedral which represents the sit of Bishop or Archbishop
elected by Rome to act as representative
• Cathedra is the chair of the bishop who is the head of Diocese or Arch diocese
• Rite is the way that each particular sacrament is celebrated
Evaluation and Revision Questions

➢ Who consecrates the sacred chrism?

➢ What is sacred chrism?

➢ How many sacraments in which the oil of chrism is used? Name them

➢ What is the significant of Bishop stretching hands on those receiving confirmation?

Homework
Memorize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.