The Seven Sacraments:
An Introduction and Overview

by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.


Introduction and Definitions:

The English word "sacrament" comes from Latin sacramentum, which means "mystery" or "rite" in classical Latin (although it also came to mean an "obligation" or "oath" in Medieval Latin).
It is related to the Latin adjective sacra ("holy") and verb sacrare ("to devote, consecrate, make holy"). The Latin Vulgate Bible uses sacramentum 16 times (8x OT; 8x NT) to translate Greek mystērion.

On the other hand, the Greek word μυστήριον (mystērion, something "secret" or "hidden"; used 28 times in the NT) is translated by several different words in the Latin Vulgate Bible:

Seven SacramentsIn a sense, Jesus Christ himself can be called "the mystery of salvation" or "the sacrament of God," since he, through his incarnation, made visible to us the mystery of the invisible God.
Similarly, the Church as a whole is sometimes called "the sacrament of salvation," since it is "the sign and the instrument of the communion of God and men" (CCC §780; cf. §§774-776).

The word "sacrament" most commonly refers to seven particular rites or rituals performed in and by the Church.

The adjective "sacramental" might refer to something related to the seven official rites: "sacramental preparation," "sacramental action," etc. Yet it can also be used more broadly: for example, the "sacramental imagination" or "sacramental principle" refers to the Catholic Christian conviction in general that invisible spiritual realities can be disclosed or made visible in and through created realities that function as symbols (see Rausch, Catholicism in the Third Millennium, p. 85). These can be considered "real symbols," in that they truly manifest and convey the divine graces that they symbolize, rather than "mere symbols," which simply point to divine realities outside themselves. Religious symbols are not merely intellectual, but also speak to us affectively and intuitively; they can "raise our minds and hearts to God" (ibid.).

The noun "sacramental" is used more rarely and should not be confused with the adjective. The noun "sacramental" can refer to a simple ritual action, religious symbol, devotional object, or short blessing or prayer (for example, making the sign of the cross, sprinkling something with holy water, receiving ashes on the forehead on Ash Wednesday, lighting candles, going on a religious pilgrimage, wearing religious clothing, using a statue or icon or other artwork for devotional purposes, etc.). Such "sacramentals" can make us aware of divine realities (or, vice-versa, make divine realities present to us), although they can also be abused or become superstitious.

The related noun "sacramentality" is the overall concept, the idea or conviction that God can be encountered in symbolic/sacramental ways (see CCC §§1667-1679).
(Compare other words ending in "-ty", such as "reality" or "sexuality," which are overall concepts for anything having to do with the "real" or "sexual" dimensions of life, respectively).
 

Analysis and Explanations:

While many Protestant Churches regard only Baptism/Initiation and Eucharist/Communion as the two core Sacraments (directly instituted by Christ), the Roman Catholic Church (and most Eastern Orthodox Churches) officially recognizes the following seven sacraments (CCC §§1113, 1210-1666), listed below with brief comments about their biblical backgrounds, the words and actions involved, their effects, and who can administer each of them:

Sacrament Biblical Basis Central Words ("Form") Central Actions ("Matter") Effects Ministers
BAPTISM Matt 28:19 - Jesus commissions the apostles: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
John 3:22; 4:1-2 - Jesus' first disciples baptize other disciples
Acts 2:38-41; 10:47-48 - new believers are baptized "in the name of Jesus" by Peter & others
(not just Jesus' own baptism: Mark 1:9-11 & par.)

"I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
(the "Trinitarian Formula," from Matt 28:19)

[Note: Some Protestants baptize "in the name of Jesus"; see Acts 2 & 10]

A candidate is immersed in water (three times),
or water is poured over the candidate's head (three times).

[merely "dabbing" or "sprinkling" water is not considered sufficient]

Becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ (Christian Initiation);
being forgiven of original & personal sins;
being adopted as son/daughter of God;
becoming a temple of the Holy Spirit;
sharing in the priesthood of Christ.

Bishops, Priests, Deacons;
any Christian
(in case of urgent need)
EUCHARIST Mark 14:22-25; Matt 26:26-30; Luke 22:14-23; 1 Cor 11:23-25 - Jesus' "Last Supper" with his disciples
John 6: 48-58 - the end of the Bread of Life discourse: "eat my flesh; drink my blood"
Luke 24:35; Acts 2:42 - Christians gather for the "Breaking of the Bread"
"This is my body... This is my blood..."
(the "Words of Institution" from the Last Supper)

Bread (of wheat) and wine (of grapes)
are blessed/consecrated by the minister
and received/shared by the communicants.

[other grains or other drinks are not considered valid]

Being spiritually nourished by Christ's body and blood, soul and divinity;
being more fully united ("in communion") with Christ and other believers;
having one’s ordinary sins forgiven;
being strengthened for Christian mission.

Bishops or Priests
Confirmation John 20:22 - "(the risen Jesus) breathed on them (his disciples) and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit' "
Acts 8:14-17; 19:1-6 - believers receive the Spirit  through laying on of the apostles' hands
Acts 10:44-48 - the coming of the Spirit is closely associated with the Baptism of new believers
"(Name), be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit."

Anointing with sacred chrism (the bishop anoints the forehead of the baptized)
and
Laying on of hands (the bishop lays his hands on the head of the confirmand).

Increase & deepening of baptismal grace:
being strengthened by the Holy Spirit;
"confirmed" in fullness of Christian faith;
united more firmly to Jesus Christ;
prepared for public witness (mission).

Bishops; in some cases also Priests
Penance/
Reconciliation
John 20:23 - "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them;
if you retain the sins of any, they are retained"
Matt 16:19; 18:18 - more sayings on "binding and loosing"
James 5:16 - "confess your sins to one another"
"I forgive you of all of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"
(the "Words of Absolution")
The penitent confesses his sins, expresses contrition, and proposes amendment;
the confessor suggests a penance and speaks the words of absolution.

Being forgiven of one's sins;
being reconciled with God & the Church;
receiving peace of conscience, spiritual consolation, and strength to face further temptations & spiritual challenges.

Bishops or Priests
Anointing
of the Sick
Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus' disciples "anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them"
James 5:14-16 - "call for the elders of the church and have them pray over (the sick), anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord."
"Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."
The minister anointing the sick persons forehead and hands with blessed oil

Healing in spirit and body (if God wills);
being strengthened in times of illness;
having one’s sins forgiven;
being united with Christ’s sufferings;
preparing for our final journey thru death.

Bishops or Priests
Matrimony/
Marriage
Gen 2:24 - "a man leaves his parents and clings to his wife and they become one flesh."
Mark 10:2-12; Matt 19:1-9 - Jesus teaches against divorce; "What God has joined together, let no one separate."
Eph 5:22-33; 1Cor 7:10-16 - Paul stresses the unity of husbands and wives
(not simply Jesus' presence at the wedding at Cana, John 2:1-11)
"I, (name), take you, (name), to be my husband/wife.
I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.
I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."
(or a similar formula)

The husband and wife make these promises to each other publicly.

(Rings are exchanged as a visible sign of this verbal commitment.)

Being permanently united in God's eyes; (becoming "one flesh"); becoming a publicly/legally recognized couple;
receiving grace to deepen love & fidelity,
and help to welcome & care for children.

the couple themselves!
(clergy are just the official witnesses)
Holy Orders
(Ordination
of Bishops,
Priests, and
Deacons)
Mark 3:13-19 & par. - Jesus "calls" and "appoints" the 12 apostles
Acts 6:6; 1 Tim 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim 1:6 - "laying on of hands" as the "ordaining" or commissioning rite of local Christian leaders
A long "Prayer of Consecration" The bishop lays his hands on the ordinand's head;
he also anoints the ordinand's hands and performs several other symbolic gestures

Becoming an "ordained" minister/clergy
in Church's official leadership "orders";
receive graces to teach, preach, sanctify,
serve, and/or govern God’s people.

Bishops only
Sacrament Biblical Basis Central Words ("Form") Central Actions ("Matter") Effects Ministers

 


New Testament Texts Using Mystērion:

The Greek noun μυστήριον (mystērion, something "secret" or "hidden") is translated by several different words in the Latin Vulgate Bible: mysterium (19x); sacramentum (8x); and testimonium (1x)

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This page was last updated on February 2, 2024