hat are seven sacraments

 

Question: What are seven sacraments?

Ans:

Seven sacraments are considered holy in Roman Catholic religion. These seven sacraments are divided into 3 categories based on their nature.

A. Sacraments of initiation     B. Sacraments of Healing       C. Sacraments of Service

 

Sacraments of initiation

1. Baptism       2. Confirmation / Chrismation            3. Holy Eucharist

 

Sacraments of Healing

4. Penance / Reconciliation / Confession        5. Anointing of the sick

 

Sacraments of Service

6. Marriage      7. Holy Orders

These seven sacraments have ulterior spiritual meaning.

1. Baptism – It frees one from previous sins.

2. Confirmation - It is also called Chrismation, because the essential rite of the sacrament is anointing with chrism. It is called Confirmation because it confirms and strengthens baptismal grace." It is conferred by "the anointing with Sacred Chrism (oil mixed with balsam and consecrated by the bishop), which is done by the laying on of the hand of the minister who pronounces the sacramental words proper to the rite.

3. Holy Eucharist – According to Catholic Church it completes initiation. In the name of Eucharist Christians take wine and bread which Catholics consider as blood and body of Christ. Eucharist is a sacrament in which Catholics partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

4. Penance / Reconciliation / Confession - The Sacrament of Penance is the first of two sacraments of healing. It is the sacrament of spiritual healing of a baptized person.

5. Anointing of the sick - Anointing of the Sick is the second sacrament of healing. In this sacrament a priest anoints the sick with oil blessed specifically for that purpose.

6. Matrimony – It unites the male and female in a holy ceremony and meant for getting legitimized children.

7. Holy Orders - Christian institution was started with the so called preaching of Jesus Christ. Bishops gave timely explanations when doubts rose regarding Christianity. Bishops answers for the questions regarding the incarnation of Christ, importance of Trinity, and other doubts, satisfied majority of the Christians. Thus slowly their importance in Christianity was increased. Bishop Augustus declared that Church is the only means for attaining salvation and for pleasing God. Bishops became successful in making people believe in church. Slowly Churches were strengthened by large number of visitors. Priestly class got enough money to indulge in worldly pleasures.