Sacraments
The Seven Sacraments of Christ’s Holy Catholic Church
What are sacraments?
When one becomes an active member in God’s Church, he or she will eventually learn about the sacraments. Sacraments are sacred mysteries, holy ways in which the grace of God is ministered to His people. From the Churches Catechism we learn that the sacraments have an outward and visible sign that represents an inward and spiritual grace, which is given to us by Christ himself, and is a means whereby we receive that grace. Two of the sacraments are sometimes referred to as dominical sacraments because Jesus himself appointed them to be used by his church. These are Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord, which is the Holy Communion, and these are said to be generally necessary for salvation; that is to say, that all of us must use them if we want to be saved from spiritual death and damnation.
Holy Baptism
Sacraments always have two parts; the outward and visible sign, and the inward spiritual grace. The outward and visible sign in Baptism is water; in which the person is baptized In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The inward and spiritual grace in Baptism is a death unto sin and a new birth unto righteousness; for being by nature born into man's sinful state, we are hereby made the children of grace by the power of the Holy Spirit. Before we can be baptized God requires us to repent from our sins. Repentance means to change the direction of our lives; as Christians we are to forsake sin, which separates us from God and from one another. The other requirement of baptism is that we put our faith and trust in the promises of God made to us in this sacrament. Some people have wondered whether it is okay to baptize infants given the necessity of repentance and faith. Our answer to that question is yes. Infants are baptized so that, being received into Christ's Church; they may grow in grace and be trained in the household of faith. While children cannot make promises for themselves their Parents, along with Godfathers and Godmothers, make the promises for them. When children are old enough to make these promises for themselves, usually about the time they enter into adolescence, they are confirmed by the Bishop and, through prayer and the laying on of hands, are strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
The Lord’s Supper, The Holy Communion, The Holy Eucharist, The Mass
The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper has several different names in the Christian church, each of which reveals an aspect or characteristic of the supper’s meaning. When one thinks of a supper, one can imagine a family gathered around the table sharing a meal together. The Lord’s Supper is that and more! When we think of a communion we might have in mind a community and the things that unite the members of that community. Calling the Lord’s Supper Holy Communion reminds us of the spiritual things that unite the Christian community. The word Eucharist means grateful, thankful. Calling the Lord’s Supper the Holy Eucharist reminds us to be thankful for the many gifts God has bestowed upon us. The greatest gift of course is the gift of salvation which is freely given to those who believe in Jesus Christ and in his meritorious sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin.
Thus, in the Lord’s Supper we have a sacrament of our redemption, which is given for the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits which we receive thereby. The outward part or sign of the Lord's Supper is Bread and Wine, which the Lord has commanded to be received. The inward part, or thing signified is the Body and Blood of Christ, which are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful. The benefit we receive from this sacrament is the strengthening and refreshing of our souls and bodies unto eternal life by the Body and Blood of Christ. Like in baptism God requires from us repentance and faith. In order to repent we must examine ourselves, whether we truly repent of our former sins. Then, steadfastly purposing to lead the new life, and have a living faith in God's mercy through Christ, we offer a thankful remembrance of his death; and strive to be in charity with all men.
The Last term Mass is very ancient and derives from the old Latin liturgies of the Roman Catholic Church. It means the service has come to an end and that the people should go. Having been strengthened and refreshed with Christ’s spiritual body and blood we are now enabled to go back into the world in love and service of the Lord.
Confirmation
As we have seen above a Sacrament has two parts, an outward and visible sign that we can see and feel, and an inward and spiritual grace that is given to those who cooperate with God’s will and commandments. Grace is the free gift of God; it means God’s favour, God’s strength for the task, God’s help, and God’s power to change our lives for the better. Human beings are separated from God because of sin and the power of evil. With the help of God’s grace we can grow strong and holy and overcome the power of evil in our lives.
God’s grace is never granted automatically. The sacraments are not “God’s dispensing machines”, nor are they magical. God longs to grant us His grace, but it is readily available only to those who open themselves to receive it. As we open ourselves to God by turning to Him in faith (trust) and penitence (humility), the grace of God makes us a more loving and gracious person.
Confirmation is one of the five lesser sacraments. We describe these as lesser sacraments because Jesus himself did not appoint them to be used by His church. Rather, they have been established by the practice of the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit for life’s special occasions.
Confirmation is the fulfillment of our baptism (Acts 8: 14-17). In Confirmation the Christian commits himself into the hands of Christ and dedicates himself in His service. As in Baptism, he once again promises, in faith and penitence to renounce Evil, to believe in Christ, and to obey God’s Will and Commandments. The outward and visible sign is the candidate’s vows and the laying on of hands by a Bishop. The inward grace (gift) is the strength of the Holy Spirit to keep these promises. The Bishop is the proper minister of Confirmation (Book of Common Prayer: Canada 1962 p. 560). The traditional practice of most dioceses in the Anglican Church of Canada is that an individual personally commits himself to Christ in Confirmation before he makes his First Communion.
Penance
Penance is sometimes called the Sacrament of Confession or the Sacrament of Absolution. Penance is the act of confessing in faith and penitence all your sins to God in the presence of a priest. (John 20: 20-23) The outward and visible sign is the words of absolution or forgiveness. The inward grace (gift) given is the forgiveness of God that sets us free to make a clean break with the sins of the past, and a new beginning in the Christian life. The proper minister is the bishop or his priest. (Prayer Book, p. 581)
Our Anglican discipline dictates that in the Sacrament of Confession all may make use of this sacrament. (the Church provides this opportunity for every member) This, however, does not mean that everyone must. (it is not obligatory for anyone) On the other hand guilt and shame can often cripple our spiritual growth and development as human beings and therefore some should utilize the benefit of this sacrament. (there are those who should take advantage of this sacrament so that they might be freed from their load of shame and guilt).
The normal procedure for arranging for the sacrament of penance is to make an appointment with a priest. It is generally understood that this need not be one’s own pastor, but any priest with whom one feels most comfortable. The “seal of the confessional” means that anything said or heard in the confessional is strictly between the penitent and God and can never be mentioned again to anyone without the express consent of the penitent.
Holy Matrimony
The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony creates a state of Christian marriage. This occurs when a Christian man and woman, in faith and penitence, commit themselves, the one to the other, in a life-long partnership of love before God and society. (Matthew 19: 3-6) The outward and visible sign of marriage is the act of commitment to one another. The inward and spiritual grace (gift) given is the strength to love, to forgive, to support, and to make a home for one another. The proper ministers of this sacrament are the couple themselves, being Baptized Christians. (Book of Common Prayer: Canada 1962, p. 566). It is possible for a Christian to marry a non-Christian – an unbaptized person – in a sacramental act in the hope that the non-Christian might be brought into the Faith. This is an extension of what is known as the “Pauline Privilege”. (See 1 Corinthians 7: 12-14)
The home and family is the basic unit in society; when the home is strong, society is strong. The home provides an atmosphere where children can grow up in love, security and discipline. It takes three to make a Christian marriage: The husband, the wife and Christ, all bound together in love for each other.
Ordination
Ordination is the sacrament whereby a Christian, in faith and penitence, is made a deacon, ordained a priest, or consecrated a bishop in order to carry on a ministry of special responsibility and authority in the Church of God. (Acts 6: 2-6) The outward and visible sign of ordination is the laying on of hands. The inward and spiritual grace (gift) given is the authority and strength to minister in the order to which he is called. The proper minister of this sacrament is the bishop. (Prayer Book, p. 655)
It must be said that every Christian man and woman is called to a particular ministry in the service of Christ. Our special calling is known as our “vocation”. Certain people, however, are called by God to the ordained ministry. A vocation to the ordained ministry is a very high privilege and honour. It involves its own particular joys and sufferings, and a special sense of oneness with Christ. Every Christian should inquire of God whether He desires him to serve in this way.
Unction
Unction is the anointing of the sick for healing. (James 5: 14-15)
It consists of the application of a little oil (with prayer) on the forehead of a person who is seriously ill. The outward and visible sign is the anointing with oil. The inward and spiritual grace (gift) given is the healing power of Christ. (Book of Common Prayer: Canada 1962, p 586)
It is normal practice to anoint a sick person once only for a serious illness, unless there is a relapse. The sick person should prepare for unction by faith and penitence. The faith and penitence of the Church (the priest and the faithful praying with him) is also involved, especially should the patient be unconscious.
It is God’s will for us to be well and healthy. Sometimes He releases us from our sickness by death so that we might enter into life anew in the Resurrection.