Sacraments

What are the Sacraments?
Sacraments are sacred, visible signs of God's loving grace and presence to us. As Pope Leo the Great described, "What was visible in our Savior has now passed over into the Sacraments." Sacraments are Jesus' continued ministry to His people by forgiving sins, strengthening, and uniting. There are seven Sacraments and are they traditionally divided into Sacraments of Initiation, Sacraments of Healing, and Sacraments of Vocation.

Sacraments of Initiation:
In these new disciples are welcomed into God's family through Baptism, Confirmed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and nourished by the Holy Eucharist. These Sacraments lead us more deeply into Christ's passion and resurrection and equip us with the grace to be His disciples.

Celebration of these Sacraments usually involves some preparation either in our Faith Formation program for youth or for adults in RCIA.

Sacraments of Healing:
The Sacraments of Healing continue Jesus' ministry of the forgiveness of sins and the restoration of our minds, bodies, and souls. In Reconciliation we celebrate the forgiveness of sins and the restoration of God's family, while in the Anointing of the Sick we call upon God's healing mercy to restore us to health and help us to endure suffering alongside Christ.

Sacraments of Vocation:
In the Sacraments of Vocation Christians are called and empowered to live out a special mission for the life of the Church and to share the Gospel. In Holy Orders, men are ordained as deacons, priests, and bishops to celebrate the Sacraments with God's people and proclaim the Word of God. In Matrimony men and women are united in a bond of love. In this special Sacrament they become the image of God's love for the church and a reminder of God's fidelity to His promises.