What are Sacraments?
The Sacraments (Mysteries) of the Catholic Church
The Sacraments (Mysteries) of the Catholic Church
Our Sacraments:
we offer and profess seven Sacraments. In this Independent Catholic Church, we believe that since
all persons baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are members of the Body of
Christ, none of our Christian brothers and sisters of other denominations should be refused
Communion or any other Sacrament. In fact, we deny no-one admittance - for participating in the
Eucharist with us may produce a change inwardly for someone in search of outward grace. We do not
wish to deny anyone that opportunity.
SYMBOLS AND SACRAMENTS: THEIR HUMAN FOUNDATIONS
Understanding and appreciating church rituals called 'sacraments' must start with something basic,
something rooted in human experience (the meaning and function of symbols – cf. Carl Gustav Jung, or
Joseph Campbell).
Sacraments are particular kinds of symbols, just as symbols are particular kinds of signs.
Sacraments (symbols) convey ideas and also feelings, values, beliefs, traditions and ideals. In that
way, they tend to take people beyond the surface of reality to its depth.
Symbols can have so many associated meanings that it may be easier to experience them than to
explain them. St Augustine saw sacraments as signs of something sacred, as 'vehicles for contact
with Mystery' (John Shea), as 'paths to an awareness of Mystery' (Shea). In principle, any human
experience can function as a sacrament.
Contact with God in a sacrament, including liturgical symbols, has its limits, for it's neither a full nor
a direct face-to-face meeting with the divine. God is known indirectly, in glimpses, traces and
shadows. For all that, the sacramental principle remains valid and authentic. God, the Invisible One,
whom 'no one has ever seen' (Jn 1:18), is disclosed through something that is earthly, visible, audible,
tangible, something, in short, which may be humanly experienced.
Because symbols tend to have a range of meanings, it is easier to experience them than to explain
them, and because they touch the heart and not just the head, symbols work more powerfully than
logical explanations: they increase our capacity to 'see more', to 'feel about', to reflect, to
contemplate, and to wonder.
Therefore; sacraments are not just signs of grace, they cause what they signify: meaning that
something earthly, something in human experience, not only suggests the existence and presence of
God, but it also mediates or communicates that presence. Thus through their human experiences,
people of faith encounter God and enter into a personal relationship with God.
Jesus, the Christ, and the Church are special signs of God communicating his love for people - to draw
forth their responses. In his earthly existence he communicated through bodily signs. His own human
nature was the sign and instrument of God and his love. In his present transfigured, risen state, he
has taken on his disciples (the Church) as his body). They are to be his face, hands, feet, heart and
voice, to the human race: meaning that the Church is the sacrament of Christ in the world today, the
sacrament of God's love.
In addition to the seven sacraments above, some Christian groups consider foot washing to be a
sacrament. The seven sacraments accepted by Catholicism are generally accepted by Eastern
Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy, but these traditions do not limit the number of sacraments to
these seven. The numeration, naming, and understanding of sacraments and the adoption of the
remaining sacraments vary according to denomination.
we offer and profess seven Sacraments. In this Independent Catholic Church, we believe that since
all persons baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are members of the Body of
Christ, none of our Christian brothers and sisters of other denominations should be refused
Communion or any other Sacrament. In fact, we deny no-one admittance - for participating in the
Eucharist with us may produce a change inwardly for someone in search of outward grace. We do not
wish to deny anyone that opportunity.
SYMBOLS AND SACRAMENTS: THEIR HUMAN FOUNDATIONS
Understanding and appreciating church rituals called 'sacraments' must start with something basic,
something rooted in human experience (the meaning and function of symbols – cf. Carl Gustav Jung, or
Joseph Campbell).
Sacraments are particular kinds of symbols, just as symbols are particular kinds of signs.
Sacraments (symbols) convey ideas and also feelings, values, beliefs, traditions and ideals. In that
way, they tend to take people beyond the surface of reality to its depth.
Symbols can have so many associated meanings that it may be easier to experience them than to
explain them. St Augustine saw sacraments as signs of something sacred, as 'vehicles for contact
with Mystery' (John Shea), as 'paths to an awareness of Mystery' (Shea). In principle, any human
experience can function as a sacrament.
Contact with God in a sacrament, including liturgical symbols, has its limits, for it's neither a full nor
a direct face-to-face meeting with the divine. God is known indirectly, in glimpses, traces and
shadows. For all that, the sacramental principle remains valid and authentic. God, the Invisible One,
whom 'no one has ever seen' (Jn 1:18), is disclosed through something that is earthly, visible, audible,
tangible, something, in short, which may be humanly experienced.
Because symbols tend to have a range of meanings, it is easier to experience them than to explain
them, and because they touch the heart and not just the head, symbols work more powerfully than
logical explanations: they increase our capacity to 'see more', to 'feel about', to reflect, to
contemplate, and to wonder.
Therefore; sacraments are not just signs of grace, they cause what they signify: meaning that
something earthly, something in human experience, not only suggests the existence and presence of
God, but it also mediates or communicates that presence. Thus through their human experiences,
people of faith encounter God and enter into a personal relationship with God.
Jesus, the Christ, and the Church are special signs of God communicating his love for people - to draw
forth their responses. In his earthly existence he communicated through bodily signs. His own human
nature was the sign and instrument of God and his love. In his present transfigured, risen state, he
has taken on his disciples (the Church) as his body). They are to be his face, hands, feet, heart and
voice, to the human race: meaning that the Church is the sacrament of Christ in the world today, the
sacrament of God's love.
In addition to the seven sacraments above, some Christian groups consider foot washing to be a
sacrament. The seven sacraments accepted by Catholicism are generally accepted by Eastern
Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy, but these traditions do not limit the number of sacraments to
these seven. The numeration, naming, and understanding of sacraments and the adoption of the
remaining sacraments vary according to denomination.
Fr. Klaas Tuinman MA
At Sanctum One
Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada - Jan 2010
At Sanctum One
Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada - Jan 2010
The SACRAMENTS:
The Church celebrates seven sacraments.
There are three "types" of sacraments:
* Sacraments of Initiation - Sacraments that make us full members of the
Church, (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist)
* Sacraments of Healing - Sacraments that offer us God's forgiveness and
strength, (Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick)
* Sacraments of Christian Commitment - Sacraments that strengthen us in
our calling in life, (Marriage, Confirmation and Holy Orders)
Holy Orders - these are:
The Church celebrates seven sacraments.
There are three "types" of sacraments:
* Sacraments of Initiation - Sacraments that make us full members of the
Church, (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist)
* Sacraments of Healing - Sacraments that offer us God's forgiveness and
strength, (Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick)
* Sacraments of Christian Commitment - Sacraments that strengthen us in
our calling in life, (Marriage, Confirmation and Holy Orders)
Holy Orders - these are:
- Minor Orders - porter (door keeper), lector (reader), exorcist, acolyte
- Major Orders - sub-deacon, deacon and priest).
A sacrament is a Christian rite (see Ritual-Ceremony) that mediates, in the sense of
being a visible symbol or manifestation of invisible divine grace (an "outward sign of an
inner state, grace or change”).
In the Orthodox Church, sacraments are called Mysteries. They are rituals and
practices that have become "holy” through use and tradition.
As such, they have taken on powerful meaning for millions of people.
Sacraments are usually administered by the clergy (priests/pastors) to a recipient or
recipients, and involve visible and invisible components.
being a visible symbol or manifestation of invisible divine grace (an "outward sign of an
inner state, grace or change”).
In the Orthodox Church, sacraments are called Mysteries. They are rituals and
practices that have become "holy” through use and tradition.
As such, they have taken on powerful meaning for millions of people.
Sacraments are usually administered by the clergy (priests/pastors) to a recipient or
recipients, and involve visible and invisible components.
Many Protestants also believe that sacraments are an "outward sign of an inward grace", or symbolic
of what is taking place or has taken place invisibly. What Protestants consider to be a sacrament
differs from the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox positions. Most Protestants consider only baptism
and Communion (the usual Protestant word for the Eucharist) to be sacraments. They believe that
the other five rites considered to be sacraments by Catholics are not made sacraments by the New
Testament.
So, while almost all Protestant churches have marriage ceremonies, and many have an ordained
clergy and a ceremony conferring their version of Holy Orders, they do not consider these rites to
be sacraments. Some Protestants in the Anglican Communion are Anglo-Catholics, and may accept all
of the Catholic sacraments; these believers often do not identify themselves as Protestants,
however.
Many Anabaptists practice foot washing, citing the commandment of Jesus: "If I then, your Lord and
Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet." (John 13:14 KJV) Foot
washing is a sacrament in this faith tradition.
Catholics hold to the sacraments, but acknowledge that additional means of grace exist without
sacraments. Roman Catholics, for example, also have sacramentals, which are acts of worship that
differ from sacraments proper, but which are also means of grace. Items such as the rosary or the
various scapulars and holy medals issued by some Roman Catholic groups are counted among these
sacramentals.
For the Eastern Orthodox Christian the term "Sacrament" is a Westernism that seeks to classify
something that is rather difficult to classify. Preferably the term "Mystery" is used, the reason
being that the "How it is possible" is unanswerable to human understanding. God touches us through
material means such as water, wine, bread, oil, incense, candles, altars, icons, etc. How he does this
is a Mystery.
of what is taking place or has taken place invisibly. What Protestants consider to be a sacrament
differs from the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox positions. Most Protestants consider only baptism
and Communion (the usual Protestant word for the Eucharist) to be sacraments. They believe that
the other five rites considered to be sacraments by Catholics are not made sacraments by the New
Testament.
So, while almost all Protestant churches have marriage ceremonies, and many have an ordained
clergy and a ceremony conferring their version of Holy Orders, they do not consider these rites to
be sacraments. Some Protestants in the Anglican Communion are Anglo-Catholics, and may accept all
of the Catholic sacraments; these believers often do not identify themselves as Protestants,
however.
Many Anabaptists practice foot washing, citing the commandment of Jesus: "If I then, your Lord and
Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet." (John 13:14 KJV) Foot
washing is a sacrament in this faith tradition.
Catholics hold to the sacraments, but acknowledge that additional means of grace exist without
sacraments. Roman Catholics, for example, also have sacramentals, which are acts of worship that
differ from sacraments proper, but which are also means of grace. Items such as the rosary or the
various scapulars and holy medals issued by some Roman Catholic groups are counted among these
sacramentals.
For the Eastern Orthodox Christian the term "Sacrament" is a Westernism that seeks to classify
something that is rather difficult to classify. Preferably the term "Mystery" is used, the reason
being that the "How it is possible" is unanswerable to human understanding. God touches us through
material means such as water, wine, bread, oil, incense, candles, altars, icons, etc. How he does this
is a Mystery.
Sacraments
and
The Sacraments of the Catholic Church
and
The Sacraments of the Catholic Church
| Sanctum One |
* The invisible component (manifested inwardly) is understood to be God's grace working
in the sacrament's participants, while
* the visible (or outward) component involves the use of water, wine, or oil that is blessed
or consecrated.
Etymology (origin) of the word "sacrament":
The word sacrament is derived from the Latin sacramentum, meaning "a consecrated thing
or act," i.e. "something holy"; "to consecrate", which itself was a Church Latin translation of
the Greek mysterion, meaning "mystery".
Sacraments, like the liturgy and ritual of the liturgy bring instant familiarity - and the
comfort and security that familiarity provides.
They have a powerful inner influence that goes deeply to people's inner core: their spirit or
psyche. As with liturgy and ritual, the sacraments too, bring comfort in moments of great
need and crisis, as well as during "normal" worship activities.
in the sacrament's participants, while
* the visible (or outward) component involves the use of water, wine, or oil that is blessed
or consecrated.
Etymology (origin) of the word "sacrament":
The word sacrament is derived from the Latin sacramentum, meaning "a consecrated thing
or act," i.e. "something holy"; "to consecrate", which itself was a Church Latin translation of
the Greek mysterion, meaning "mystery".
Sacraments, like the liturgy and ritual of the liturgy bring instant familiarity - and the
comfort and security that familiarity provides.
They have a powerful inner influence that goes deeply to people's inner core: their spirit or
psyche. As with liturgy and ritual, the sacraments too, bring comfort in moments of great
need and crisis, as well as during "normal" worship activities.
On a broad level, the Mysteries are an affirmation of the goodness of created matter,
and are an emphatic declaration of what that matter was originally created to be. On a
specific level, while not systematically enumerating Mysteries, the most profound
Mystery is without a doubt, the Eucharist in which direct communion with God occurs.
This perceived vagueness is considered by the Orthodox to be piety and respect for
something profound and incomprehensible. Orthodox do not like to try and classify things
to any great degree as this is seen to be a fruitless and unnecessary waste of time.
The Salvation Army does not practice formal sacraments for a variety of reasons, but
does not however forbid its members from receiving sacraments in other denominations.
Quakers do not practice formal sacraments, believing that all activities should be
considered holy.
Catholics (including Dawn Cove Abbey / Sanctum One) celebrate the sacraments in the
Liturgy.
and are an emphatic declaration of what that matter was originally created to be. On a
specific level, while not systematically enumerating Mysteries, the most profound
Mystery is without a doubt, the Eucharist in which direct communion with God occurs.
This perceived vagueness is considered by the Orthodox to be piety and respect for
something profound and incomprehensible. Orthodox do not like to try and classify things
to any great degree as this is seen to be a fruitless and unnecessary waste of time.
The Salvation Army does not practice formal sacraments for a variety of reasons, but
does not however forbid its members from receiving sacraments in other denominations.
Quakers do not practice formal sacraments, believing that all activities should be
considered holy.
Catholics (including Dawn Cove Abbey / Sanctum One) celebrate the sacraments in the
Liturgy.
 |  |  |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
