Baptism

The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus. Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist. The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters.

Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin. However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings and reconcile them with the Father. Learn more. Back to top.

Confirmation

The prophets of the Old Testament foretold that God's Spirit would rest upon the Messiah to sustain his mission. Their prophecy was fulfilled when the Spirit conceived Jesus the Messiah and born of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus on his baptism by John. Jesus' entire mission occurred in communion with the Spirit.

Before he died, Jesus promised that the Spirit would be given to the Apostles and the whole Church. After his death, he was raised by the Father in the power of the Spirit. Learn more. Back to top.

Eucharist

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The word “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving. In celebrating the Eucharist, bread, and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest.

The whole Christ is truly present -- body, blood, soul, and divinity -- under the appearances of bread and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist. Learn more. Back to top.

Reconciliation

Jesus entrusted the ministry of Reconciliation (also called Confession and Penance) to the Church. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is God's gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven.

In confession, we can repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in his presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins. Learn more. Back to top.

Anointing the Sick

When Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it is God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.
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Matrimony

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant more than a contract. A covenant always expresses a relationship between people. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God.

Celebrating marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.
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Holy Orders

Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God's call using the words of the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8). 

This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.
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