the seven sacraments and the importance of the Eucharist (mass)

Question 1

sacraments of initiation

Answer 1

Baptism, confirmation and Eucharist (Holy Communion)
mean they are the ceremonies through which people can become full members of the catholic church. baptism washes away original sin and welcomes a child into the church. confirmation gives the gifts of the Holy Spirit that the disciples received at pentecost. Eucharist recalls the last supper and by taking the bread and wine Catholics receive the body and blood of jesus which gives salvation
prayer of baptism: “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”
Eucharistic prayer: “This is my body, broken for you…this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant”

Question 2

sacraments of healing

Answer 2

reconciliation and anointing of the sick
these celebrate the healing power of jesus as shown in the gospels when jesus forgave sins and healed the sick

Question 3

sacraments of service

Answer 3

marriage and holy orders
allow people to be active members of the ‘Body of Christ’. Marriage allows the couple to create a family and continue to pass on the teachings of Jesus. Holy Orders welcomes people into the priesthood so they can become apostles and represent Jesus in the world today

Question 4

importance of the Eucharist (mass)

Answer 4

service where catholics gather to recall the last supper. Catholic believe the Eucharist was the new promise or agreement that God made with all the people. Jesus’ sacrifice was the symbol of the new covenant and allowed all people an opportunity to receive salvation, word eucharist means thanksgiving and for catholics, it is the most regularly celebrated sacrament to receive god’s grace (mercy). the magisterium teaches that the eucharist is the ‘source and summit of the christian life’ because it unites christian’s with god, catholics believe they become closer to god because they receive jesus in communion. catholics believe that jesus is present in the mass. they believe in the transubstantiation which means consecrated bread and wine becomes jesus’ body and blood. the mass re-enacts the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, so it is the highest form of prayer that a believer can make. By receiving the Eucharist in communion, Christ’s body and blood spiritually feeds the believer. It makes individual Catholics part of the body of jesus or the church
Confirmation ceremony: “Be sealed with the gift of the holy Spirit”