SACRAMENTS

Word sacrament derived from Latin word Sacrament meaning sacred sign.

What is sacrament then?

C.C.C. Defines sacrament as an efficacious sign of grace instituted by Christ and entrusted to
church by which divine life is dispensed to us/ given.

Sacrements are ex opera operato.

 Namely that the effect of sacrament does not depent on the holiness of the minister
administering but depents on the intention of the minister to do so and e allowed by the
church to do so.
 The recipient has to be with the right disposition in order to receive the grace conveyed
by a particular sacrament.
 Lack of required disposition such as faith can block the effectiveness of the sacrament in
the receipient.

The 7 sacraments

1. Baptism
2. Confirmation
3. Eucharist
4. Confession
5. Anointing of the sick
6. Holy orders
7. Marriage.

NB: Though not every individual has to receive every sacrament the church affirs that
sacrament are necessary for church.
The principal roles of the sacraments in the life of the people.

1. They give birth to Christian life.

2. They nourish Christian life.
3. They strength Christian life.
4. They give healing to Christian life.
5. They give mission to Christian life.

Due to tese principle roles played by sacrament, they are classified into 3 ccategories.

A. Initiation sacrament
 Baptism
 Eucharist
 Confirmmmmmation.

B. Healing sacrements.

 Anointinmg of the sick

 Confession

C. Sacrements of Mission/service
 Holy orders
 Matrimony.

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Baptism -delivered from greek word. Baptisma wch meamns immersion (washing)

Earliest days Christian Baptism was done by Immersing the candidate into water.

Later- the Baptism was charged by pouring water 3 times on the forehead which is called
affusion.

Other names given to this sacrament

Woshing of regeratiomn and Renewal by the holysprit- called so because one one washed,
Regerated and renewed by the Holyspirit.

Enlightenment- Becouse before Baptism one Receives catechtical instruction which enlights
his/her understanding.

Biblical events which prefigure Christian Baptism.

i. Creation
ii. Noah’s ark
iii. Crossing of Red sea
iv. Crossing of the Red sea.
v. Crossing of R. Jordan
vi. Cleansing of Naaman from leprosy in R. Jordan
vii. Jesus Discourse with Nicodemus about Rebirth
viii. The Baptism of John the Baptist
ix. Christ Baptism.

After resurrection Christ commanded His. Apostles,” Go thefore and make apostles over all
nations by Baptising them in the Name of the Father, son and Holyspirit teaching then to
obsrve all that I told you. “( Mat: 28: 19).

Types of Baptism

A. Non-Sacramental Baptism
B. Sacramental Baptism
- Baptism of Blood.
- Baptism of desire.

Importance of Baptism

1. Its the first, basis and door to all other sacraments

2. It is the door of the church – one cannot become a true member of the church without it.
3. It is the door of life in holiness- Gives a person supernatural life.
4. It is the fulfillment of Christ’s command in (Mat: 28:19-20)
 5. It enables one to officially receive Christian names.

Effects of Baptism.

1. Forgiveness of personal sin and original sin

2. Regenarion /Rebirth
3. Bestow the holy spirit
4. In cooperation to the body of Christ (The church)
5. Unity with other Christians
6. Responsibility –such as professing what the church teachers, Promotes Christianity, to
practice Christianity and live a holy life
7. Rights to enjoy the church sacrament
8. Receives an indelible Marks.

Requirement of Baptism-Adult.

1. He must give consent

2. Must have faith in Jesus Christ.
3. Must have knowledge in Christian doctrine
4. In danger of Death, the dying who has not gone through catechuminate period and who
for tat matter does not have sufficient knowledge of Christian doctrines provided he
consents and confesses.

Infant baptism.- They are baptized because of parent/guardians faith. This is done on hope that
they will be brought up as Catholics. The infant baptism is earlier practice (Acts: 16:33; 18:8

Who can baptize?

Bishops, priest and deacons.

Incase of necessity- Anyone even unbaptised can babtised provided he has the right intention to
do so what the church does applies trinitanan fomula +uses water.

Essential Rite of sacrament of Baptism

1. Annoitinting with secret Christ.

 - Done after pouring water on the forehead.
- Signifies that newly baptized person is anointed with holy spirit, who is anointed
priest, prophet and King
2. White Garment.
-Symbolizes the man Baptized has put Christ and has risen with Christ, this he he is a
new creature, a holy creature.
-Signifies Christian dignity of the baptized

3. The candle

-normally lit from Easter candle Christ has been enlighten by Him and so he is light of
the word and he to radiant the light of the Christ to the world. Thus it is sign his new vocation.

THE SACREMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Necessity of this sacrament.

 -Necessity of this sacrament.

 -Necessary for completion of baptismal grace
 -it confirms the sacrament of baptism
 -strengthens baptismal grace.
 Makes the baptized a full member of the church
 It enriches the baptized with special strength of the Holy sprit thus it obliges him to
spread and defend faith by word and deed as a witness and soldier of Christian Faith

During confirmation one is anointed with sacred chrism. This means that one has been
consecrated

By confirmation the anointed share more completely in

- Mission of Jesus Christ

- The fullness of holyspirt
- A spiritual mark( a Seal of holly spirit) an indelible character that shows he belongs
to Christ like Baptism.
The genital slap- Received by the confirmed reminds him that. He should be courageous to
defend and proclaim the gospel and suffer for the sake of Christ.

The effects of confirmation

1. Outpouring of the apostles on the day of Pentecost.

2. Leads to perfection of baptismal grace.
3. Mark, character, which empowers the confirmand to profess Christ public.
Who can the sacrament of confirmation.
 Every baptized person yet confirmed
 Person who reached age of discretion(reasom). Incase of danger of dearth of children
may be confirmed
 Sufficient knowledge of chrtian doctrine and faith.
 To receive it one must be a state of grace
 Should have sponsor and preferably one of baptism, so as to emphasize the unity of two
sacrements.
 Preparation for confirmation
 The aim of the preparation is to-:-
 Lead Christian towards a more intimate union with Christ.
 To enable the christen know more about holyspitit – his action and his gifts
 To know the responsibilities of the confirmed person.
 This time of preparion , is time for intensive prayer.

The seven gifts of the holy spirit

- Wisdom - Ui
- Understanding -kiliko
- Counsel - kitao
- Fortitude -vinya
- Knowledge -Umanyi
- Piety - Uthaithi
- Fear of the lord -Kikio kya Ngai
Twelve Fruits of Holysprit

 Chastity
 Joy
 Peace
 Patience
 Kindness
 Goodness
 Generosity
 Gentleness
 Faithfulness
 Modestry
 Self- contral
 Chastity.

Nb every confirmed person is expected to have these fruits.

Work of mercy.

- One who is confirmed is obliged to be a witness through works of mercy towards the
neighbors. The church makes distinction between the spiritual and corporal works of
mercy.

Spiritual Corporal
i. Insucting the ignorant i. Feed the hungry and give
ii. Instructing doubtful drink to thirsty
iii. Admonition to the sinner ii. Sheltering of homeless
iv. Comfort to the sinner iii. Clothing the naked
v. Comfort to the afflicted iv. Giving aims to poor
vi. Bear of wrongs patiently v. Visiting the sick and
vii. Forgive offences willingly imprisoned
viii. Praying for the living and the dead. vi. Ransom captives and Dead.
 SACRAMENT OF HOLY SPIRIT

Eucharist

Derived from Greek word “ euchristia which means Thanksgiving.

In the church Eucharist is commonly used to refer to :-

i. A service in which bread or wine becomes the body and blood of Christ and are
consumed in remembrance of His dearth
ii. The consecrated element namely bread plus wine, especially the bread.

The compendium of c.c.c stateds that

The Eucharist is very sacrifice of the body and blood of lord Jesus Christ which he Instituted
to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross, Throughout the ages until his Return in glory, thurs
entrusted to his return in glory. Thus he entrusted to his church this memorial of his dearth
and resurrection

It is sacrament of love, sign of unity, a bond of charity; a paschal banquet in which Christ is
consumed and pledged of future grory is given to us.

Refrigeration of Eucharist.

i. Sacrifice of melchezedek (gen 14: 18)

ii. Sacrifice of the first harvest( lev: 23: 12-13)
iii. The Passover sacrifice
iv. The manna
v. Miracles of multiplication of loaves( mt:14:1413-20)
vi. The sign of water turned into water at cana( mark 14: 25)
vii. Jesus call himself the bread of life( john :6:35

Syombals of sacrament of Eucharist

 I. The Alter- its reminds us fable which Jesus and Disciples gathered at last supper as he
instituted Eucharist.
II. The Wine- It is sing of joy , bread and wine are sing of Goodness of creation
III. Wine and water- sign of people united with Christ –Christ water-people.

The effects/fruits/benefits of receiving Holy Communion.

i. Increases over union with Christ (jn 6:56)

ii. Nourishment of spirit of spiritual life
iii. Forgiveness of venial sins- its strengthens our charity and living charity removes venial
sins.
iv. It preserves us from Future sins
v. It preserves us from signs
vi. It brings deeper unity of mystical body( 1cor 10:16-17

Why Christ gave us his own body and blood in Eucharist

i. To be offered as sacrifice commemorating plus renewing the sacrifice of the cross at all
times
ii. Tobe received in holy communion by the faithful
iii. To remain in ever our alters as his proof of his love for us
iv. To be worshipped by us

Requirement for us to receive Holy Communion

i. Recipient has to be a human being since it was for Mankind only that Jesus Christ
instituated Eucharist food.
ii. The human person must be a state of pilgrimage to the next life- ie must be alive
iii. They have baptized people
iv. Faith in Eucharist
v. Sufficient knowledge of catholic Doctrine
vi. Right intention
vii. Right deposition ie being in a state of grace.

How to receive Holy communion

 - Most cases , holy echarist is received when standing or kneeling.
- Reception on mouth or on hand depernting on the choice.
- Mouth- open the mouth plus let tongue out
- Hand- right had under Left hand
- Body of Christ” – “Amen” meaning it is truly so
- Walk neverently to your sitting place.
- Say a prayer of thnks giving plus petition

Adoration.

- Blessed sacrament placed on the monstrance for worship

- It is this faith, which attracts people to
i. Staying in church with lord in payers plus adoration and at times to listen in
silence and to intrest for others.
ii. Make visit to blessed sacrament which is in the church
iii. Go for adoration to Blessed Sacrament to explore for this purpose.
iv. Feast of corpus chriti

The sacrament of periance

Other names plus reasons

Sacrament of penance – it ia s sacrament which effects forgiveness of sins.

1) Penance-(uivi) – Because it consists acts of penance embossed on the peritent by the

minister.
2) Conversion- one turns from sin to God( luk 15_18)
3) Confession- Consists disclosure of sins of penitent to a priest or Bishop.
4) Forgiveness- Consists of absolution by a minister through which God grants forgiveness
to penitent.
5) Reconciliation – Because it recounted the sinners o

Sacrament of Reconciliation comprises of

Repentance and penance
 1. Repentance - It’s the conversion of heart. It tha act of being sorry for wrong
done and returning to God. ( interior Repentance
2. Repentance consists of the following:-
- Desire and resolution to charge one life of sin and to turn to God
- A return to God with all ones heart
- Repent of sin or turning away from evil with repugnance towards evil
actions one has done.

Penance- Also called an outward sign of penance.

It is an act that person gives himself to do or prist gives to someone to ndo in order to show that
he is sorry for wrong he he/she has done

It is also a reparation for wrong done sins commited. It is means of obtaining forgives of sings

NB an external frm of penance without the interior repentance, does not forgive sin ( It is
steiile plus unfaithful)

Same of the accepted external penance

[Link] 2 PAYERS 3 AIMS GIVING

Source of conversion.

- Examination of conscience
- Spiritual direction
- Admission of faultys
- Bible reading
- Personal prayers
- Sickness

Celebration oe echarist.
- Seasons and days of conversion
- Every time is a time of conversion
Lent as season of conversion
 Friday as a day of conversion

What to do during this times:-

i. Intensive spiritual exercise for forgiveness of sin
ii. Reception of sacrament of Eucharist plus confession
iii. Being more genoures with one time
iv. Fasting plus almasinfg

Elements of sacrament of confession

1. Contrition : It is the sorrow of soul ,hate of the sin again

o Perfect contrition – Mehilo Maniu) out of love sin again.
o imPerfect Contrition – out of fear purishes one to receive confession.

2. Confession of sings- It is a disclosure of sins to a priest by a penitent

Importances of regular confession.

i. Helps us to form our conscience

ii. Helps us to fight against evil tendercies
iii. Helps us to grow in life of sprit
iv. Helps us to be merciful, just as our heavenly farther is merciful.
3. satisfaction of penance- This is doing what one has been directed by the priest to
carry out. Eg. A prayer , way of cross, work of mercy, fasting

SIN PLUS TYPES OF SIN

Sin- it is an offence against God. This offence is brought about by an inertional breakming of
God commandment. The effects of sin is loss of baptismal grace.

Types of sin

1. Mortal sin- It is a grave violation of God’s law that turns one away from Gods .
It incurs etertal punishment, but can be removed by the sacrament of reconciliation.

2. Venial sin- Does not set us in direct opposition to the will of God and friendship of God.
Can be removed by contrition and by reception of other sacrament such as Eucharist.

Minister of this sacrament

Bishop, Priest.

Effects of parlance

i. Reconciliation with god and church

ii. Permission of external punishment resulting from sin
iii. Peace and sevenity of conscience and spiritual consolation
iv. An increase in spiritual strength for fighting against evil.
v. Renewal of spirit life.
vi. Helps one to regain the justification Grace
vii. Opens again the reception of sacrament of Eucharist and other sacraments.

THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK

 It is an anointment given by a priest or Bishop to a person in danger of dearth because

of serious sickness, infirmity or Fragility of old age, or because he is about to go for a
major operation.
The institution of sacrament.
- Instituted by Christ.
- In mt 10:16 – Jesus called the 12 disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirit
and sickness, with power to cast out and cure all diseases plus sickness
- Minister- Priest plus Bishop.

Effects of the anointing of the sick.

i. Gives hope, comfort, consolation, peace and courage to endure in Christian

manner ,the sufferings of illness or of old age.
ii. Its renews the trust and faith of the sick in God. Enables the sick to trust in god no
matter what happens.
 iii. It unifies the sick person suffering to dearth and passion of Christ
iv. Effects forgiveness of the sin, if the sick person is able to receive it through sacrament
of penance
v. Healing of the physical body. If it is conducive to the salvation of the soul and if its is
God’s will.
vi. Preparation for ones final journey from this word to the next word.
vii. The last rite: confession, anointing of the sick, Eucharist as viaticum

The sacrament of of holy orders.

- It is a sacrament through which mission of Christ entrusted to his Disciples continues to

be exercised in the church until the end of the time, Thus is a sacrament of apostolic
ministry
- Its consists of 3 degree namely
 Episcopate- Bishopric
 Presbyterate- Priesthood
 Diaconate Deacons

- It confirms gift of H/spirit that permits exercise of sacret Rites/ poer which can only
come from Jesus Christ Through church.
- Ordination is also called consecration which means to set a part for service of church.

Who can receive the sacrament of Holy orders.

I. A baptized and confirmed man.
II. A man who faithfully practices his faith
III. Man who feels called by God to ordained ministry.
IV. A man who has expressed his desire to the church authority.
V. A man with Required health and knowledge.
VI. A man who freely lives a celibate life and intends to remain celibate for the sake of
kingdom of heaven.
VII. A man who has been recognized by the authority of church as Suitable.
 Effects of this sacrament
I. The grace of holyspirit
II. One receives sacred power which enables him to act as arepresentative of Christ

The sacrament of marriage.

 It’s the sacrament which blesses and makes a life ofm man and woman holy those who
have chosen to live together as it was set by God from Beginning.

What should catholic do if they want this sacrament?

I. Free decision from themselves.

II. Let them choose to live together up to death.
III. Let inform the church priest for announcement to be done thrice in church.
IV. Any barrier of the marriage should be done away before marriage.
V. Let them confess their sins in order to be in state of Grace.
VI. Let them marry in church in presence of priest and two witnesses.

Effects of the sacrament.

I. Brings Gods grace to those who are marrying

II. It sets a new life of doing God’s mission of bringing God’s children or serving the
community.

end of the chapter

researched and edited by sem: barbanas