THE SEVEN ROMAN CATHOLIC SACRAMENTS 七聖事

Sacrament

Procedure

Significance

Vatican II Emphasis

Baptism

Priest performs the rite on infants.

Produces rebirth, "infant Christian."
Necessary for salvation.
Frees one from original sin and guilt.
Unites one to Christ and the church.

Baptism to receive greater emphasis.
Convert to receive instruction beforehand.
Illustrates commitment to Christ.
Emphasizes unity of al members in Christ.

Confirmation

Bishop lays hands on person whereby they receive the Holy Spirit.

Necessary sequence after baptism.
With baptism, part of the Sacrament of initiation."
Person receives the Holy Spirit, bringing one to maturity and dedication.

Endeavor to unite baptism and confirmation as one act of initiation.
Separating the two sacraments suggests there are "degrees of membership in church."

Eucharist

Priest celebrates Mass. Upon pronouncing, "This is my body" bread and wine turn to body and blood of Christ.

Mass is ongoing sacrifice of Christ.
Same as Calvary except Mass is unbloody.
In Mass, Christ offers atonement for sin.
Participant receives forgiveness from venial sins.
Eating the bread is eating Christ.

Frequent participation encouraged to increase "union with Christ."
Ceremony now involves lay people.
Shorter, simpler ceremony; more use of Scripture.

Confession (Penance)

Three steps:
1. Sorrow for sin.
2. Oral confession to priest.
3. Absolution of sins by priest.

Having confessed all known sins to priest, and stated intention not to sin in the future, the adherent receives absolution from sins by priest.

New view of sin: distorted personal relationship and motives.
Allows for general confession and absolution.
General confession performed in service of singing, Scripture, prayer, sermon, self-examination, confession, absolution.

Holy Orders

Ordination to office:
bishop, priest, deacon.
As successor to the apostles, bishop ordains priest.

Confers on recipient power to sanctify others.
Priest receives power to offer body and blood of Christ and to remit sins.
Priest mediates between God and men as Christ mediated between God and men.

Greater involvement of laypeople in ministry.
Laypeople to develop / use gifts in church.
Reduced distinction between priest and people.
Priest considered "brother among brothers."

Marriage

Vows are exchanged in presence of a priest.

Sign of union of Christ and church.
Indissoluble because marriage of Christ and the church is indissoluble.

Marriage is not just for procreation.
Greater emphasis on love in marriage.
Mass permitted at weddings with baptized non-Catholics.

Anointing the Sick

Bishop consecrates oil.
Person near death anointed by priest.

Removes infirmity and obstacles left by sin, which prevent soul from glory.
Prepares people for death by making them like the risen Christ.
Prepares soul for eternity.

Broadened usage: changed from "extreme unction" to "anointing the sick."
Used to strengthen / heal body and soul.
Sick person shares in readings, prayers.