The Seven Sacraments of the Church

What is a sacrament?

The general definition of a Sacrament: "A Sacrament is a visible sign of the invisible grace." -- Peter Lombard

Therefore, a sacrament with its visible sign signifies something and at the same time by the divine power makes the signified reality effective. Any sign that is powerful enough to effect its signifying element is a symbol. According to the biblical experience, humanity experienced the power and protection of God through certain events in their history. The main experiences of the people of God were the exodus from Egypt, the journey through the desert, the Sinai covenant, and the entry into the Promised Land. They felt the hand of Yahweh protecting as well as chastising them. They experienced the power and protection of Yahweh, as well as the mercy and justice of Yahweh acting on them in a symbolic manner, because no one saw Yahweh with their human eyes, but all have experienced the power of Yahweh guiding and protecting them.

The power of Yahweh was felt through the external happenings in the life of Israel. Hence, for the Old Testament people, all their saving experiences were sacraments in a broad sense. Yahweh is hidden, yet his saving activities were manifest to the people of God. According to the biblical understanding, God's relationship with humanity is at the same time hidden and revealed. Divinity and humans are on different levels. Therefore, God's relationship with humanity is not visible to human eyes. But God makes his acts experiential to humanity through their effects. In this manner, the incarnate Son also made his activities experiential through his signs and wonders (Jn 2:11).

What are the seven sacraments?

The sacramental life of Christians is the journey to Emmaus in which the risen Lord is accompanying everyone. The Seven Sacraments are for the different stages of life signifying the accompaniment of the Lord in the life of a Christian. At every stage, the Spirit is given to the believer. The seven sacraments are grouped into three categories: (i) Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) (ii) Sacraments of Communion (Holy Orders & Matrimony) (iii) Sacraments of Healing (Sacrament of Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick)

Index   Seven Sacraments   Baptism   Eucharist   Confirmation
Holy Orders   Marriage   Reconciliation   Anointing

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