Difference between revisions of "Catholic sacraments"
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In the [[Roman Catholic Church]], seven major life events are considered sacraments, that is, events in which God's grace is specifically bestowed. The recognition of such things as sacraments in other churches depends on the church's distance from the Catholic church; the Anglican church will recognize most or all of these, most Lutheran congregations only baptism and communion, and many other [[Protestant]] churches none of them at all (the idea of a sacrament contradicts the doctrine of [[sola fides]], and therefore only the actual act of conversion can be considered a sacrament in the Catholic sense). | In the [[Roman Catholic Church]], seven major life events are considered sacraments, that is, events in which God's grace is specifically bestowed. The recognition of such things as sacraments in other churches depends on the church's distance from the Catholic church; the Anglican church will recognize most or all of these, most Lutheran congregations only baptism and communion, and many other [[Protestant]] churches none of them at all (the idea of a sacrament contradicts the doctrine of [[sola fides]], and therefore only the actual act of conversion can be considered a sacrament in the Catholic sense). | ||
| − | *'''Baptism''' -- the ritual washing away of [[original sin]]. In Catholic tradition, this is usually done to infants, but | + | *'''Baptism''' -- the ritual washing away of [[original sin]]. In Catholic tradition, this is usually done to infants, but is also done to adult converts. |
*'''Penance''' -- the confession of one's [[sin]]s to a priest, and the subsequent forgiveness by God and atonement (usually ''pro forma'', though prayer). | *'''Penance''' -- the confession of one's [[sin]]s to a priest, and the subsequent forgiveness by God and atonement (usually ''pro forma'', though prayer). | ||
*'''Eucharist''' -- the Lord's Supper, usually in the form of a thin wafer and a sip of wine. | *'''Eucharist''' -- the Lord's Supper, usually in the form of a thin wafer and a sip of wine. | ||
*'''Confirmation''' -- the recognition (by anointing, in a church ceremony) of someone as a full-fledged member of the Roman Catholic Church. Usually comes around the age of 15 for those born into the church, and is done along with baptism and first Eucharist for adult converts. | *'''Confirmation''' -- the recognition (by anointing, in a church ceremony) of someone as a full-fledged member of the Roman Catholic Church. Usually comes around the age of 15 for those born into the church, and is done along with baptism and first Eucharist for adult converts. | ||
*'''Marriage''' -- the blessing and sanctification of a marriage. Marriage differs from the other sacraments in that the bride and groom themselves, rather than the priest, are considered to confer the sacrament on each other. The presence of a priest and at least two witnesses is still necessary for a canonically valid marriage, however. | *'''Marriage''' -- the blessing and sanctification of a marriage. Marriage differs from the other sacraments in that the bride and groom themselves, rather than the priest, are considered to confer the sacrament on each other. The presence of a priest and at least two witnesses is still necessary for a canonically valid marriage, however. | ||
| − | *'''Holy Orders''' -- ordination into the priesthood. In the Roman Catholic Church, marriage and holy orders are usually mutually exclusive | + | *'''Holy Orders''' -- ordination into the priesthood. In the Roman Catholic Church, marriage and holy orders are usually mutually exclusive, but in the Anglican Church and some of the Eastern Rite Catholic communities, men can be ordained as priests when married. |
*'''Last Rites''' -- anointing and Eucharist for a severely ill or dying individual. | *'''Last Rites''' -- anointing and Eucharist for a severely ill or dying individual. | ||
| − | + | ||
[[Category:Religion]] | [[Category:Religion]] | ||
Revision as of 17:17, 22 March 2008
In the Roman Catholic Church, seven major life events are considered sacraments, that is, events in which God's grace is specifically bestowed. The recognition of such things as sacraments in other churches depends on the church's distance from the Catholic church; the Anglican church will recognize most or all of these, most Lutheran congregations only baptism and communion, and many other Protestant churches none of them at all (the idea of a sacrament contradicts the doctrine of sola fides, and therefore only the actual act of conversion can be considered a sacrament in the Catholic sense).
- Baptism -- the ritual washing away of original sin. In Catholic tradition, this is usually done to infants, but is also done to adult converts.
- Penance -- the confession of one's sins to a priest, and the subsequent forgiveness by God and atonement (usually pro forma, though prayer).
- Eucharist -- the Lord's Supper, usually in the form of a thin wafer and a sip of wine.
- Confirmation -- the recognition (by anointing, in a church ceremony) of someone as a full-fledged member of the Roman Catholic Church. Usually comes around the age of 15 for those born into the church, and is done along with baptism and first Eucharist for adult converts.
- Marriage -- the blessing and sanctification of a marriage. Marriage differs from the other sacraments in that the bride and groom themselves, rather than the priest, are considered to confer the sacrament on each other. The presence of a priest and at least two witnesses is still necessary for a canonically valid marriage, however.
- Holy Orders -- ordination into the priesthood. In the Roman Catholic Church, marriage and holy orders are usually mutually exclusive, but in the Anglican Church and some of the Eastern Rite Catholic communities, men can be ordained as priests when married.
- Last Rites -- anointing and Eucharist for a severely ill or dying individual.