The Seven Sacraments of the Church

The Seven Sacraments of the Church

(1) Baptism  (2) Confirmation  (3) Holy Communion  (4) Confession

(5) Marriage  (6) Holy Orders  (7) Anointing of the Sick

The meaning of a Sacrament is: A sensible sign, instituted by Jesus Christ, by which invisible grace and inward sanctification are communicated to the soul. - the Catholic Dictionary

BAPTISM

The Lord was Baptized, not to be cleansed Himself, but to cleanse the waters, so that those waters, cleansed by the flesh of Christ which knew no sin, might have the power of Baptism.  - St. Ambrose of Milan

For just as the remission of sins is granted through baptism, so the sanctification of the spirit is realized through unction... While applied to the body, it is beneficial to the soul... Hands are imposed, that the advocacy of the Holy Spirit may be brought down through benediction. For the Paraclete then willingly descends from the Father, when bodies have been made clean and blessed. - St. Isidore, Doctor of the Church, 7th century A.D.

All should hasten without delay to be born again unto God [receive Baptism], and afterwards to be signed by the Bishop, that is, to receive the sevenfold grace of the Holy Ghost (that is, Confirmation); for, as has been handed down to us from St. Peter, and as the other Apostles taught in obedience to the command of our Lord, he who culpably and voluntarily, and not from necessity, neglects to receive this Sacrament, cannot possibly be a perfect Christian. - St. Clement

COMMUNION

We eat the Body of Christ that we may be able to be partakers of eternal life. - St. Ambrose

One's everyday life ought to be both a preparation and a thanksgiving for Communion. - St. John Vianney

"By one Communion you give more glory to God that if you gave away one hundred thousand francs. - St. John Vianney

Upon receiving Holy Communion, the Adorable Blood of Jesus Christ really flows in our veins and His Flesh is really blended with ours. - St. John Vianney

CONFESSION

Confess all your sins. - St. Francis of Assisi

Repentance is the renewal of Baptism and a contract with God for a second life. - St. John Climacus

Confess your offenses in church, and do not go up to your prayer with an evil conscience. - Didache, c. 140 A.D.

It is an excellent thing to go to confession often, because the sacrament of Penance, besides taking away sin, gives the graces necessary to avoid sin in the future. - Catechism of St. Pius X

MARRIAGE

Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.  - Heb. 13:4

The man who wishes to have a happy married life ought to consider the sanctity and dignity of the Sacrament of Matrimony. - St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church

The state of marriage is one that requires more virtue and constancy than any other. It is a perpetual exercise in mortification. - St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church

HOLY ORDERS

Christ, who says to the Apostles: 'Do this in remembrance of me' (1 Cor 11:24), institutes the Sacrament of Holy Orders. - Pope John Paul II

Only to the apostles, and thenceforth to those on whom their successors have imposed hands, is granted the power of the priesthood. - Pope Pius XII

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

"Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters [priests] of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. - James 5:14-15

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