The Seven Sacraments - a brief explainer

Sacrament = An outward sign, established by Christ to give grace - or - An outward sign of an inward reality.
The power is that the symbol has actual power it is not only a symbol.
Matter and Form – Each Sacrament has specific physical signs and words that make them valid.
Anointing = A ceremonial action used to show how something is holy (separate from the normal) Oil is used for this.
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*** These sacraments also produce a change in your character - an indelible mark on your soul
Bold - Sacrament of Initiation + Italics - Sacraments of Healing + Normal - Sacraments of service

*** Baptism

Signs: Water, oil, candle & white garment
Who performs the sacrament:
Priest, Bishop, Deacon
In Emergency anyone can

Effects of Baptism

  • We are granted justification/sanctifying grace
  • When we're baptized, our original sin is forgiven and, in the case of adults, personal sins.
  • We receive Faith, hope and charity as well as The gifts of the Holy Spirit
  • We receive the sacramental grace - It offers the necessary help to live a Christian life.
  • A sacramental character is imprinted in us - It is an indelible spiritual mark that is imprinted during Baptism.
  • Compels us to live the mission of the Church by living our faith

*** Confirmation

Sign: Chrism Oil
Who performs the sacrament:
Bishop or priest

Effects of Confirmation

  • It brings us closer to God, our Father and It roots us more deeply as children of God, and unites us more firmly to Jesus Christ.
  • We receive the Gifts of the Spirit Increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us: Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord
  • These give us the strength we need to live the baptismal call to the mission of the Church

*** Eucharist

Effects of Eucharist

Sign: Water and Wine - Body and Blood
Who performs the sacrament:
Bishop or priest
  • We receive the Body and Blood of Jesus our Savior
  • We are granted sanctifying grace
  • It unites us with Christ. This is possible because we receives Christ himself, who is the author of grace.
  • Our venial sins are forgiven - We are forgiven for venal sins, which strengthens our soul.

Reconciliation 

Effects of Reconciliation

Sign: Laying on of hands and Words of absolution
Who performs the sacrament:
Bishop or priest
  • It reconciles us with God and the Church and we regain the grace we lost because of sin
  • We receive the forgiveness or all our sins (mortal and venial).
  • It reduces the purification of Purgatory
  • It gives us peace and strength to avoid temptation and helps us flee from sin

Anointing of the Sick

Effects of Anointing of the Sick

Sign: Oil of the Infirmed
Who performs the sacrament:
Bishop or priest
  • Strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with serious illness or the frailty of old age.
  • Unites us with the passion of Christ
  • A preparation for the final journey - This last anointing fortifies the end of our earthly life and gives us food for the final journey – called viaticum

Holy Matrimony

Effects of Holy Matrimony

Sign: Vows and Rings
Who performs the sacrament:
The Couple being married confer the sacrament on each other
  • We receive the Matrimonial Bond - this bond has been established by God himself in such a way that a marriage between two baptized persons can never be dissolved.
  • The grace of the sacrament of Matrimony - This grace is intended to perfect the couple's love and to strengthen their indissoluble unity.

*** Holy Orders

Effects of Holy Orders

Sign: Chrism and Laying on of hands
Who performs the sacrament:
Bishop
  • The Indelible Mark on your soul, Character
  • Become a Bishop, Priest, or Deacon
  • This Sacrament cannot be repeated or conferred temporarily.
  • The Grace of the Holy Spirit - The grace of the Holy Spirit proper to this sacrament is configuration to Christ as Priest, Teacher, and Pastor, of whom the ordained is made a minister.