Page 2 - 2019-2020 Handbook and Planning Guide

The Seven Sacraments
Sacraments of Initiation
In these sacraments, we meet Christ in profound ways and are initiated into the Christian life.
BAPTISM offers forgiveness of original sin and gives graces to begin a new life with Christ and the Church. It is the first sacrament.
CONFIRMATION strengthens and deepens life in Christ and equips Christians with graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Christ.
EUCHARIST is supernatural nourishment in receiving the Body
and Blood of Christ, to strengthen the Christian to follow Christ more closely.
About the Symbols Shown Here The stained-glass images
of the sacraments are the artistry of Carl G. Fougerousse of Red Fern Fine Arts Studio (RedFernFineArtStudio. com). They were made for St. Andrew’s Catholic Mission in Reidsville, Georgia.
Confirmation: The dove represents the coming of the Holy Spirit. Note the tongues of fire, also reminiscent of the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. The three sections of golden rays suggest the Holy Trinity’s power and presence.
Penance/
Reconciliation:
Prominent are the
symbols of the “keys
of the kingdom” that
Jesus gave to Peter
and the Apostles to
“bind” and “loose” (See
Matthew 16:19). This is
power to forgive sins and
offer absolution. The image
of the sun’s rays shining from
above symbolizes Jesus — the Sun
of Justice — as found in Malachi 3:20: “the
sun of justice will arise with healing in its wings.”
Anointing of the Sick: Olive branches symbolize the common use of olive oil for the Oil of the Sick. The
hour glass nearly run out symbolizes the end of life. Traditionally, this anointing is
given near death, along with Viaticum, or final holy Communion. But it is
also administered to the very sick in mind or body, or to persons infirm
or elderly. It is both a healing and
strengthening by Christ for what is to come. Regarding the
wings, recall the “healing wings” noted in Malachi 3:20.
The grace of peace is symbolized by
the oil jar’s words spelling the Latin: Pax vobis,
or “Peace be with you.”
Sacraments of Healing
PENANCE/RECONCILIATION &
ANOINTING OF THE SICK are sacraments through which Christians experience God’s mercy and forgiveness of sins, as well as graces to help heal persons who may be suffering physically and/or spiritually.
Sacraments at the Service of Communion:
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MATRIMONY & HOLY ORDERS
are sometimes called sacraments
of vocation. They call Christians to dedicate their lives both in communion with God and by loving service to others in specific ways.