8. Sacraments of the Church
In Palestine during his earthly Ministry Jesus gave people both health of mind and body and also spiritual benefits by saying something to them or by laying his hands on them.
Since his Ascension into Heaven and the first Pentecost (Whitsunday) he gives his own life and power in the same kind of way through the Seven Sacraments of his Church throughout the world. They are an essential part of his continuing Ministry and they convey to us the supernatural by means of the natural.
SACRAMENT | OUTWARD SIGN | INWARD GRACE | MINISTER(S) |
---|---|---|---|
Holy Baptism | Water | New Birth | Anyone |
Confirmation | Hands | Holy Spirit | Bishop |
Reconciliation | Words | Forgiveness | Priest |
Holy Communion | Bread and Wine | Christ himself | Priest |
Holy Order | Hands | Priesthood | Bishop |
Holy Unction | Oil | Help in sickness | Priest |
Holy Matrimony | Words | Help in marriage | Bride and Bridegroom |
In order to receive the benefit of the Sacraments we must have two things: first, penitence (practical sorrow for our sins), and secondly, faith (a trustful love for God).