Sacraments

Saint Augustine defined sacrament as a visible sign of invisible grace. Later, the definition expanded to a sacrament being an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. An even more elaborate definition is that sacraments are perceptible signs, words, and actions, accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify. Truly the sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to the believers. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions. The actual number of sacraments has differed over the course of Church history. Most of the main line Christian churches would accept the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Baptism is the sacrament that one receives as an infant or as an adult, if unbaptized. Baptism is recognized by all the Christian churches that use the ritual formula of “I baptize you (name) in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Baptism incorporates the individual into a believing community of the church and makes one a member. Baptism is received only once in a lifetime.

The sacrament of Confirmation is a continuation, a ratification or sealing of Baptism. If an individual was baptized as an infant, the individual now speaks for him or herself in preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation helps the individual focus on the missionary dimensions of the baptismal commitment. This sacrament is received by teenagers and adults. Confirmation is only received once in a lifetime.

The third and most important Sacrament of Initiation is Eucharist. This is the preeminent sacrament from which all others have meaning. It is when the community of believers gathers around the table (altar) for the breaking of the bread. The Eucharist is the celebration of Jesus’ last supper, when he took bread and wine and gave them to the church as his Body and Blood. This Eucharist is celebrated weekly in some Christian churches.

Some Christian churches have the sacraments of vocation, of which there are two: the Sacrament of Matrimony and the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The Sacrament of Marriage celebrates the free giving of one person to another person, for a lifetime. This is also a reflection of the love of Christ for the church. Sometimes the church is called the bride of Christ. Matrimony celebrates and witnesses the covenant of love between two people. A covenant is always understood as freely given and unearned. The Sacrament of Matrimony should only be celebrated once unless there is a death of a partner. Some Christian churches do allow for a second marriage.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is for the ordained clergy of a Christian church. It should be seen as a sacrament of service by which some are called by God, through the church, to be the spiritual leaders. Some Christian churches also have the fulfillment [Page 392]of Holy Orders and Deacons, which is the step before being ordained a full clergy person. The Sacrament of Holy Orders is only received once in a lifetime.

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