Sacraments

Hello everyone!  Thanks for reading : D

Today's topic takes each of the sacraments that I have not discussed before and gives more detail about each of them.

So, that being said, we will now dive into the sacraments.

1.  Baptism

Baptism is an awesome sacrament.  It is the celebration of bringing a new life into the Church.  Now, Christ is with us from the moment of conception, so it's not welcoming Christ into the new life for the first time.  It is the celebration of the Church's growth with adding another person to the community.

It also calls on the parents and godparents to be good models for the child (in most cases, it is an infant being baptized, but not always) and to help them practice the Christian faith.

Godparents have just as much a role in developing the child's faith as the parents do.  They must be older than 16 years of age, and be fully accepted into the Church, having received Confirmation and Eucharist.

There is also something called a witness, which can get a little complex.  Witnesses can be role models to the child for their faith, but do not fill the role of godparent in some way or another.  For example, if someone does not practice the Catholic faith, but you want them to be involved, they can be a witness.

In the Catholic church, a baptism in a Christian religion is the requirement; it does not have to be a Catholic baptism.  We believe in one Christian baptism.  Those that are baptized in another denomination are welcome in the Catholic church as Christians, but are not considered Catholic.

So, one would never be baptized twice when switching from a different Christian religion to the Catholic faith.

2.  Communion

See this and this.

3.  Reconciliation

See this.

4.  Confirmation

Confirmation in the Catholic Church is very eye-opening and amazing.  When you are confirmed, you are anointed with holy oil by a bishop of the Church.  In some cases, priests are allowed to confirm others.  They make a cross on your forehead with the oil.  At that moment, you are received into the Church as a fully recognized member.

Confirmation is also where one receives the Holy Spirit inside themself.

In Confirmation, you have a sponsor, somewhat like a godparent in Baptism, yet different.  The sponsor is meant to help you prepare for the sacrament.  They need to be someone active in the Church as well.  In the best case scenario, godparents are the best choice for sponsors.  However, in some cases, the godparents are not part of the candidate's life anymore or live too far away.

Confirmations are performed at different ages between different parishes.  The parish that I went to confirmed people at age 16, but some confirm younger than that.

To be confirmed, one must have been baptized.  One must also prepare for the sacrament by studying it or going to classes.

Confirmation is not necessary for salvation, but it is a great sacrament to receive and necessary if one wants to be a full member of the Church.

5.  Marriage

One of the only requirements for marriage is that it is between a man and a woman.  It is preferable also for them both to be baptized, but not necessary.  Once two people are married, they become one, so to speak.  Here's a Bible passage that helps with this image:

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

-Genesis 2:24

6.  Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the name of the sacrament where soon-to-be priests, bishops, and deacons are given the right to be called to that vocation by a bishop.  The person is called to this certain vocation by God.  It is a celebration of the person's vocation and choice to help lead others to God through whichever role they take in the Church.

7.  Anointing of the Sick

This sacrament usually takes place in a hospital, or wherever the sick person is.  The priest anoints the person with holy oil, and helps them prepare for their next life, in Heaven.  This sacrament is not required, but helps the person with the dying process.  The person feels more welcome and ready to go into the next life when the priest talks to God with them about it.

Once again, I am running short on topics, so send me a question here, and I will find you the answer.

God bless you all.

Your sister and witness in Christ,

Emily

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