Celebrate Life's Sacred Moments
The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
Sacraments are central for Catholics. They help us meet the incarnate Jesus, who comes to us through cleansing water and invigorating oil to welcome us, life-giving bread and wine that become Christ’s Body and Blood, a hand outstretched in forgiveness, vows lovingly exchanged in marriage, a hand designating someone for ordained service and oil to strengthen the sick and comfort the dying.
The Latin word sacramentum means “a sign of the sacred.” The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God’s saving presence. That is what theologians mean when they say that sacraments are at the same time signs and instruments of God’s grace.
The Seven Sacraments
The Sacrament of Baptism
The Sacrament of Confirmation
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Marriage
The Sacrament of Holy Orders
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of Baptism
For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Through baptism we are freed from the darkness of our world, we become sons and daughters of God and are embraced into the family of the Church.
If you would like to book your child’s Baptism at St Francis of Assisi Church, please select the button to learn more…
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
Most of us would know this Sacrament as Confession, it also goes by other names: reconciliation, Sacrament of Forgiveness or Conversion. This sacrament is a sign and experience of God’s unconditional forgiveness.
The Sacrament of Reconcilliation is the first of three sacraments of initiation.
The Sacrament of Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of initiation. Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Also know as First Holy Communion for first timers. The third of the three sacraments of initiation, the Sacrament of Holy Communion is the reception of Christ’s Body and Blood. This sacrament is the source of great graces that sanctify us and help us grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ.
The Sacrament of Marriage
In the Catholic Church, marriage is an important religious event. For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to another person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God’s values. As such, preparing for marriage often means some deep reflection on how God fits into your life, your future and of course, your marriage.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Christ’s priesthood, which He bestowed upon His Apostles. The three levels of the sacrament are the episcopate, the priesthood, and the diaconate.
In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.
If you think you may be called to the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or if you are simply interested in Holy Orders, please contact Fr Peter Zwaans (Director of Vocations) at 8725 6566.
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
When a Catholic is very sick, the Church anoints the person with oil in a special ritual of healing called Anointing of the Sick. Traditionally referred to as Extreme Unction or Last Rites. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered both to the dying and to those who are gravely ill or are about to undergo a serious operation, for the recovery of their health and for spiritual strength. It is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental and spiritual sickness.