In our lives we experience, mark and celebrate significant events and key milestones of our journey. We also experience throughout our lives the presence and love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit at many times and in many ways. Key encounters with the Holy Trinity happen through some significant moments we call Sacraments.
Through his close contact and intimate dialogue with the Father, Jesus achieved his mission to create a space in the world for a new community of love. He promised to send upon his disciples the Holy Spirit to fill this consecrated space for God. The seven sacraments of the Church, in ritual and symbol, celebrate God’s presence and participation in our lives.
The sacraments extend, throughout the life span of each member of our community, an invitation from Jesus to join God’s circle of love. Some sacraments we receive only once in our lives and others we can receive regularly.
The sacraments are:
- Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist—Sacraments of Initiation
- Reconciliation (Penance) and Anointing of the Sick—Sacraments of Healing
- Marriage and Ordination (Holy Orders)—Sacraments of Service
Each sacrament is a moment of encounter with our Triune God. Some, however, have a particular focus on one person of the Trinity:
In Baptism we join the watery descent of Jesus and hear the Father say to us—you are beloved, and are part of God’s family.
The Sacrament of Confirmation imparts the gift of God’s Holy Spirit upon us.
It is Jesus who feeds us in the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Christian life. In this celebration the death and resurrection of Christ is re-enacted and re-actualised.
In the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation we recognise our sins, celebrate the Father’s forgiveness and commence a new life of communion with God and each other.
God’s healing grace that strengthens faith is received at the Anointing of the Sick.
The Sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders celebrate Christian commitment and dedicated service in our community of love.
Many of these sacraments are celebrated in our parish communities daily. Find out more about these communities and the sacraments celebrated.
