Sacraments - Final

Baptism

Gives grace, forgives all personal sin, takes away Original SinCelebrates a conversion that takes place over a lifetimeCan be received only onceChildren who died without being baptized are entrusted to God's mercyTo be valid the Trinitarian formula must be said and the person must be immersed in water or have it poured over himThe immersion symbolizes that the one baptized dies to an old way of life and rises to a new lifeAny person, baptized or not, who has the same intentions of the church may baptize in case of necessityIn the early church baptisms were performed only at the Easter vigilBy the year 580 AD the practice of infant baptism was the most common way to become a ChristianInfant baptism is a community celebration because the whole community assumes the responsibility for raising the child in faithThe white garment symbolizes that that person is a new creationChrist means anointedBaptism/confirmation became separate because bishops could not be present at every parishCatechumen prepare for the baptism during lentThe oil of baptism signifies being anointed by ChristWater is a natural symbol of destruction, creation, and sustenanceIn the Eastern Orthodox Church babies/children receive baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist

Confirmation

Spiritual growth is ongoing throughout lifeHoly Spirit comes from the Hebrew word Ruach, which means "wind" to "breath of God"The official sponsor should be a fully initiated, active CatholicSeven gifts of the Holy Spirit "be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" = the words essential for the validity of the sacramentEssential rite = laying on the hands and anointing with chrismThe anointing during confirmation is an act of consecrating and commissioning

Eucharist

The Passover seder is the Jewish ritual meal Jesus celebrated with his disciples the night before he diedTransubstantiation means that the bread and wine become Jesus truly presentJesus is present during the liturgy, throughout the gospel, The Eucharist, and the priestManda is the bread from heaven provided by God for the IsraelitesThe early Christian celebrated the Eucharist as a full meal, including the bread/wineShared all their goodsCommunity participation in the Eucharist declined in the Middle AgesVatican II restored the original, communal spirit of the EucharistCatholics are obligated to go to mass on Sunday because it is the day of Jesus's resurrectionThe term "host" means That which is sacrificed

Reconciliation

Personal sin alienates us from God, others, and ourselvesThe priests represent "Persona Christi" and the communityPeople seek forgiveness for specific sins through this sacramentGenuine repentance is shown by intending not to commit the sin againThe authority to forgive sin is passed on through apostolic successionThe role of the priest is to convey God's love to the penitentThe authority to forgive sin is rooted in Jesus words to the apostles

Anointing of the Sick

"If sick call for a priest and be anointed" James 5:14This sacrament is for the living, not the deadviaticum is the Eucharist offered to a dying personAnointing of the person's head, hands is essential for the rightIf death is near, special prayers are said to entrust the person to Christ

RCIA

Catechumen (person)Electinquirer - a person interested in becoming baptized in the Catholic ChurchLiturgy of the hours - official public daily prayer of the Catholic ChurchneophyteRCIA - the process by which a person becomes a full member of the Catholic Church