I am sure there are many people who have a deep and active faith in God without ever hearing of the Catholic sacraments. Being born into a family of faith, I don’t remember a time without the sacraments and prayer. They have also provided the daily grace needed for my faith journey. In that journey, there have been some mountaintop experiences where God was intimate and faith secure. There were other periods of darkness and doubt where my faith was challenged to the core. Then the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation and the sacred Scriptures renewed and strengthened my faith and gave me the grace needed to get back on track.
Although we are baptized and confirmed only once, the effects of these sacraments continue to affect us daily. Every time we dip our fingers into holy water and make the sign of the cross, we profess our dying and rising to new life in Christ. The gifts of the Holy Spirit offered at Confirmation are released only as we have the grace to embrace them. The Holy Spirit, alive in us, enables us to have a fruitful faith. In 1984, I contracted breast cancer. Before surgery, I received the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. When the priest laid hands on me, a sense of peace entered my being and has remained. Regardless of the outcome, I knew all would be well.
God has given us the sacraments to draw us into deeper relationship with him. Who would refuse such grace-filled gifts? –Mary Lynn Rapien
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Perhaps one of the hardest things we do is admit to our own wrongdoing. It’s hard to say that we have sinned. But we know that it is spiritually and psychologically healthy to do so. So where’s the hang up? The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of healing. The life we received at Baptism, strengthened in Confirmation, and nourish in the Eucharist is sometimes lost or severely threatened by our sinfulness and needs healing. Read more…
Sacrament of Holy Orders
At our Baptism, the priest anointed us with sacred chrism and said that we were now identified with Jesus in his roles as priest, prophet, and king. As a priest, we are to offer sacrifice and we do this by participating in the Eucharist, offering both ourselves and the sacrifice of Jesus to the Father. As a prophet, we are to witness to the good news. And as a king, we are to share in Jesus’ role of ordering all things toward the Father in the Holy Spirit. Read more…
Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
Sickness, accidents, age—all things we have faced or will face as human beings. It’s just part of life. Life isn’t perfect and things happen. And sometimes they happen very unexpectedly. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick addresses this very human reality and is considered a sacrament of healing. As a sacrament, it is one of the ways Jesus assists us in life and offers his divine help. Read more…
Sacrament of Baptism
We believe that Baptism brings about both an adoption and a cleansing. When the infant, child, or adult to be baptized is brought to the font, God adopts the person as his beloved son or daughter, and that through this new life-giving relationship. Baptism is also removes original sin and, for those mature enough to have been able to make the choice, all personal sin. Read more…
Sacrament of the Eucharist
Jesus knew that in sharing a meal, people are participating in a life-giving event that builds community, as well as nourishes the body. Perhaps that’s why we seldom like to eat alone, especially when we want to dine. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is intended to be such an event. It is dining with the Lord and with fellow members of the Church. Read more…
Sacrament of Marriage
The Sacrament of Marriage is unique in that it is the only social institution that Jesus raised to a sacrament, for if the marriage is between two baptized persons it is both a civilly recognized bonding and a sacrament. The Sacrament of Marriage is exceptional in its makeup and in its form. But what are its effects? What is it that Jesus does for the couple? Read more…
Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is considered a sacrament of initiation. That tells us that Confirmation has something to do with our being introduced into the life of God and of the Church. We say to those who are participating in the sacrament: Be sealed, be stamped, be marked with the Holy Spirit for life as a beloved son or daughter of God. With the strength of that seal, go out and witness to the world. Read more…
