1.2 Practices

Sacraments- Outward signs that an inward gift of grace has been given by God

• Sacraments of initiation
  • Baptism
    • CCC teaches that without it, a person can't receive any other sacrament
    • It washes away original sin so the baptised can receive salvation and enter heaven
    • It helps the person begin a new life, with the help of the Holy Spirit, as they become a full member of the Chruch
  • Confirmation
    • Only those who have been confirmed can take on lay ministries
    • It gives the strength of the Spirit to live a Christian life
    • The individual has their own choice to declare his/her belief
  • Eucharist
    • Unites the individual with Christ
    • Gives the grace to live a good life
    • Remembers The Last Supper

• Reconciliation
  • Brings the individual into a closer relationship with God
  • The priest gives the individual absolution which gives him/her the grace to makes it easier for them to live a Christian life and receive the Eucharist
• • Anointing of the sick
    • It gives: grace, spiritual strength and healing
    • The person is forgiven from their sins before death so they can enter heaven
  • Marriage
    • The practice gives strength for a long-life relationship of love and faithfulness
    • They can procreate and raise their children in a Christian family
  • Holy Orders
    • Gives them strength, grace, and authority to administer the sacraments
• Divergent Views of the Sacraments
  • Most Protestants- Believe that only the sacraments which were issues by Jesus (Baptism and the Eucharist) are essential
  • Some Protestants (eg. Baptists and Pentecostal)- Believe that, because only adult baptism is referred to in the Bible, they can only be baptised as an adult

• CCC- The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace issues by Christ and the first five are essential for salvation
• CCC- The seven sacraments are the way the Holy Spirit spreads the grace of Christ throughout the Church
• Canon Law- The sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist are required for full Christian initiation
• CCC- Confirmation binds a person perfectly to the Church and enriches the gift of the Holy Spirit

• The Introductory Rite
  • The beginning of the mass when Catholics become aware that they are sinners and they say the Penitential Rite
• The Liturgy of the Word
  • The congregation stand for the Gospel reading as it contains the words of Christ
• The Liturgy of the Eucharist
  • The Eucharistic prayer re-enacts the Last Supper and transubstantiation occurs
  • Catholic receive Communion, any leftover hosts are reserved in the tabernacle
• The Concluding Rite
  • The congregation give thanks for what they have received and they receive a blessing to help them in the week

• CCC- Its a sin to knowingly miss Sunday Mass and Mass on Holy days of obligation
• CCC- The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life

• Importance and significance to Catholics
  • The Eucharist gives grace to live good lives and grow closer to God
  • Mass is a celebration of resurrection, showing Catholics that there is eternal life
  • At the Last Supper Jesus commanded Mass when he said "Do this in memory of me"