The Seven Sacraments

The Seven Sacraments
of the Catholic Church


Introduction to the Sacraments
"The Sacraments are outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace. Signs, there are all kinds
of signs around us but sacraments are unique as signs because they are signs of the presence
and love of God for us and of our desire to come in contact or encounter God. Sacraments are
living signs. They are dynamic signs. They involve the action of the church. Sacraments are of
the church and for the church. They are truly the action of God. ...
Baptism
The sacraments celebrated by the Church are signs of grace that make a deeper reality present
to us. One reality we encounter through the sacraments is Christ’s presence in the Church
community, His Body. This recognition of Christ’s presence in the community should lead to a
stronger awareness of being sent on mission to engage in love-inspired action in the world.
As Pope Benedict XVI notes in Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love), the celebration of the
sacraments and the ministry of love are “inseparable.” Love in action, he says, is “an
indispensable expression” of the Church’s being (no. 25). This guide focuses on the Sacrament
of Baptism, the rite of initiation into the Christian community. As you read, consider the meaning
of your own Baptism, your membership in the community, and the mission on which you are
sent.
To baptize an infant, parents must be practicing Roman Catholics registered at St. Ephrem.
Baptisms are celebrated either during the Sunday Mass or after.
Parents should call to arrange an interview with the Pastor or Mr. Rob Leonardi.
Parents must attend 2 baptism preparation sessions and Godparents must attend the first.
Reconciliation / Penance / Confession

Every time we sin, we hurt ourselves, other people and God. The Sacrament of Reconciliation
(also called Penance or Confession) was given to us by Christ to help us reconcile with Christ
and His Church when we have committed harm. Through the Sacrament, we acknowledge our
sins, express our sorrow in a meaningful way, receive the forgiveness of Christ and His Church,
make reparation for what we have done and resolve to do better in the future. During His public
life, Jesus both forgave sins and reintegrated sinners into the community. This is the goal of the
Sacrament of Confession: to forgive sins and to provide reconciliation with the Church. The
Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation involves four parts: contrition, confession, penance and
absolution.
Holy Communion / Eucharist

The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium [Dogmatic
Constitution on the Church], no. 11). In the Eucharistic Liturgy and our prayer before the
Blessed Sacrament, we encounter God’s presence in personal and profound ways. But the
Eucharist is also social, as Pope Benedict XVI reminds us in Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love): “A
Eucharist which does not pass over into the concrete practice of love is intrinsically fragmented”
(no. 14). The Eucharist, celebrated as a community, teaches us about human dignity, calls us to
right relationship with God, ourselves, and others. As the Body of Christ, it sends us on mission
to help transform our communities, neighbourhoods, and world. Church teaching, rooted in both
Scripture and Tradition, emphasizes both the personal and social natures of the Eucharist. This
guide highlights Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI’s writings about the social nature
of the Eucharist. Their words challenge and move us to encounter Christ in the Eucharist in
ways both personal and social.
Those candidates preparing for the celebration of First Reconciliation (Grade 2); First Eucharist
(Grade 2) and Confirmation (Grade 8) will be instructed with age appropriate materials by our
catechists.
It is to be noted that it has been and continues to be the policy of the parish that candidates for
these sacraments will be in religious formation sessions for two years prior to the celebration of
the sacrament. Celebration of these sacraments will depend on the candidate's preparation,
practice of the faith, and readiness to celebrate the sacraments.
Confirmation
Confirmation enriches the baptized with the strength of the Holy Spirit so that they can better
witness to Christ in word and deed (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], no. 1285).
Anointed by the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, Christians strengthen their bond with the Church
and become better equipped to carry out the Church’s mission of love and service.
Those candidates preparing for the celebration of First Reconciliation (Grade 2); First Eucharist
(Grade 2) and Confirmation (Grade 8) will be instructed with age appropriate materials by our
catechists.
It is to be noted that it has been and continues to be the policy of the parish that candidates for
these sacraments will be in religious formation sessions for two years prior to the celebration of
the sacrament. Celebration of these sacraments will depend on the candidate's preparation,
practice of the faith, and readiness to celebrate the sacraments.
Marriage / Matrimony
In Christian marriage, spouses model the love and self-gift of Christ. By giving of themselves
and serving one another, their family, and community, they help one another live out Christ’s
call to discipleship, love, and service. Marriage provides a foundation for a family committed to
community, solidarity, and Jesus’ mission in the world.
Any couple wishing to enter the sacrament of Matrimony must first be a member of
the Parish and meet with the Pastor before a date is confirmed. Archdiocesan policy requires a
period of six months from the initial interview until the wedding date. If there no prior
relationship with St. Ephrem, such as growing up in the parish or membership of parents, then
an additional six month period is added to form a relationship with us before a date is
confirmed. Special circumstances will be considered, such as military deployment.
Holy Orders
Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, bishops and priests are given a special role in carrying
out the mission of the Church. They exercise the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ as head
of the Church. Through many of the Sacraments they act In Persona Christi (In the Person of
Christ). The share in the one priesthood of Jesus Christ. Deacons also receive a special grace
through ordination and are called to assist the ministry of bishops and priests (Catechism of the
Catholic Church [CCC], nos. 1547, 1554). Pope Benedict XVI writes, “The priest is above all a
servant of others” (Sacramentum Caritatis [Sacrament of Charity], no. 23). In gathering the
community, modeling Christ’s love for the poor, presiding at Eucharist, and evangelizing social
realities, ordained ministers help Christians imitate Christ’s mission of love and justice.
Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament that is received by those who are ill or suffering. By the
sacred anointing and the prayer of the priest, the whole Church commends those who are sick
to Christ. The sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gifts of strength, faith, peace, and courage,
and his or her suffering is united with the suffering of Christ for the building up of the Church (
Through the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, the Church carries out Jesus’ mission of
compassion and healing for the sick. The one who is ill can also be a minister to others. By
uniting their suffering to Christ, those who are sick can be signs of faith and witnesses of
Christ’s Resurrection to the entire community (Pope John Paul II, Christifideles Laici [The
Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World], ).

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What are the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church?

What are the parts of the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

The Seven Sacraments

of the Catholic Church

Introduction to the Sacraments

Reconciliation / Penance / Confession

Holy Communion / Eucharist

Anointing of the Sick

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