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What is a sacrament?
Definition #1 “God’s loving presence made visible
and tangible in our life here and now”
What is a sacrament?
God’s presenceSacred, holy, but not just a nameless spirit, or “special
feeling” A loving presence
a true experience of God must be an experience of love
visible and tangible an experience of the human senses
○ seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching
our life here and nowan experience of God today, while we are alive, not
just after we die
Sacramental Awareness
a special appreciation of the sacred (that is, God) in the world• In our daily class prayer we say: “Let us
remember that we are in the holy presence of God”
Sacramental Dullness
lack of awareness of the sacred in everyday life
Causes of sacramental dullness: Busyness, distraction Pain and suffering Ignorance: Not knowing what to look for or
where to look
Sacramental moments After developing sacramental awareness, we may
begin to see God and the sacred in our daily lives“Finding God in all things” St. Ignatius of Loyola
These sacramental moments can come after long practice…
Or can be sudden and unexpected
“Look at the stars…” “Remember who you are, Simba…”
Definition #2 According to the Church, a Sacrament is…
An outward sign of invisible grace…◦Outward sign
Each sacrament is visible and tangible Each sacrament uses signs, symbols, and rituals
◦ Invisible grace Each sacrament gives those who receive it
certain gifts directly from God Grace: A gift from God that helps us participate
in a relationship with him
What is a Sacrament?
According to the Church, a Sacrament is… An outward sign of invisible grace…
…instituted by Christ and entrusted to his Church◦ Instituted by Christ
Each sacrament can be traced back to something Jesus Christ did during his ministry
◦Entrusted to his Church Each sacrament is the Church’s way of
continuing the saving work of Christ in the world.
What is a Sacrament?
Symbols and Rituals used in a Sacrament Each Sacrament has certain symbols and
rituals◦ Symbol: something that represents something
else Some symbols are obvious: water, bread, oil Some are less obvious
Ex. What are the symbols used in Reconciliation?
◦ Ritual: a series of repeated symbolic actions The Church calls these “rites” Involves words, gestures, objects
Effects of the Sacrament Each Sacrament is efficacious, that is, it
has certain effects on the person receiving it◦ Example: Baptism
Main effect is initiation into the Church It also cleanses a person from Original Sin IMPORTANT!!! This cleansing is not just symbolic, but
is actual. The water in Baptism really works.
History of the Sacrament Each Sacrament has a long, rich history
and has gone through many changesQuestions to ask of each Scarament
1. How is it tied to events in the life of Jesus?2. How was it practiced in early Church?3. How has it developed and changed in the past
1500 years? What is it like today?
Sacraments can be divided into three groups◦ Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism Confirmation Eucharist
◦ Sacraments of Healing Reconciliation (also called Penance) Anointing of the Sick
◦ Sacraments of Vocation Matrimony (also called Marriage) Holy Orders
The Seven Sacraments
Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation◦ Considered “initiation rituals” because they make
us full members of the Church community◦ At Easter Vigil, new adult members of the Church
receive all three of these Sacraments
Sacraments of Initiation
Reconciliation◦ Heals our relationships with God and each other
Anointing of the Sick◦ Heals our body, mind or soul
Sacraments of Healing
Vocation means “calling”◦ These sacraments affirm the life to which God has
called us Matrimony
◦ Called to share our life with another person Holy Orders
◦ Called to dedicate our life in service to Christ and the community as a priest
Also called the Sacraments of Commitment, because those receiving are committing themselves to a way of life.
Sacraments of Vocation