| Our Sacramental Life Baptism Baptism initiates one into the sacramental life of the Church, establishing a special relationship between the baptized and our Heavenly Father. Read articles about Baptism from AmericanCatholic.org CONFIRMATION Confirmation is the second sacrament of initiation. In this sacrament we share with all of the Baptized a communal experience of life in the Holy Spirit. Read articles about Confirmation from AmericanCatholic.org EUCHARIST With the reception of our Lord [body, blood, soul, divinity] in Communion, the Baptized and Confirmed complete their initiation into the Church. Read articles about Eucharist from AmericanCatholic.org RECONCILIATION The Church is a community of believers striving for sainthood. Because of the effects of original sin on the individual, personal sin is, unfortunately, a reality in the lives of all of us. The Church extends the ministry of Jesus' forgiving love to all members of the Church who express both sorrow and a firm purpose of amendment Read articles about Reconciliation from AmericanCatholic.org ANOINTING OF THE SICK Weakness of mind and body are part of our life as corporeal creatures. When a member of the Church is weakened by illness or age, the prayer of the Church is offered. Read articles about Anointing of the Sick from AmericanCatholic.org MATRIMONY When a man and a woman declare their love for each other, the entire Church community is reminded of God's pledge of love for His People. Read articles about Matrimony from AmericanCatholic.org HOLY ORDERS Through anointing and the imposition of the bishop's hands, one is chosen to lead the People of God in our common mission of Praise and Evangelization. Read articles about Holy Orders from AmericanCatholic.org |