S a n B a r t o l o m e H i g h S c h o o l

1 M o d u l e I : S A C R A M E N T S

Sacraments
All sacraments are gifts from our Heavenly Father, who desires to give us His very life, which we call
grace. Sacraments are not earned or merited. For this reason, Confirmation should not be perceived as the
sacrament of adult commitment to the Church. In fact, the Church even requires priests to confirm infants
and children younger than the age of reason when they are in danger of death so that they may receive the
fullness of the Holy Spirit. An authentic mature commitment to Christ and the Church is expressed in full
participation in the Eucharist and apostolic life of the Church. It is not achieved at a single moment but
throughout the life-long deepening of our relationship with Christ. This begins in childhood and continues
until death.
The sacraments of initiation conclude the catechumenal journey to full membership in the body of
Christ. They inaugurate the journey of the Christian, within the community called church, to the Father who
calls each man and woman to salvation through Jesus Christ. The journey to God is lived in the power of
baptism, the womb of the church and the tomb of Christ: "May all who are buried with Christ in the death of
baptism rise also with him to newness of life."
1


SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION

1. Baptism
2. Confirmation
3. Eucharist

THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF INITIATION

Through these sacraments:

1. We are freed from power of darkness by being baptized into Christs death and resurrection.
2. We receive the Spirit, who:
a. Makes us adopted sons and daughters of the Father
b. Incorporates us into the church, the people of God
c. With whom we celebrate the Eucharistic memorial of Christs Paschal Mystery (RCIA 1)

Certain Parallelism with all the Sacraments towards our natural Human Growth

Our Christian spiritual growth reflects our stages also of our natural human development.

Thus it relates:

1. Physical generation with Baptism, our Spiritual regeneration
2. Growing into maturity with Confirmation
3. Physical nourishment with the Eucharist, the bread of life
4. Physical and Psycological healing with Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick
5. Community realities of family life and leadership with Matrimony and Holy Orders

Comparing the similarities between our natural growth process with the sacraments helps us appreciation how intrinsic our
Christian spiritual growth is to our FULL human SELF BECOMING. But the comparison brings out the
UNIQUENESS of the sacraments as an encounter with the Risen Christ, whom we share Gods own life of love as the
member of His body, Church.




1
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults 215, R 97
S a n B a r t o l o m e H i g h S c h o o l
2 M o d u l e I : S A C R A M E N T S
I. BAPTISM

a. Introduction

i. Family centeredness and love for children are strongly fostered by celebration in our
country. (Implies significant role in creating and fostering important social
relationship.)
ii. Focused on the event itself losing what is the meaning of the sacrament itself. We
are sometimes Nominal Catholics only in name not in action and deed.
iii. The main evangelizing agent is the family - that would teach the individual person to
be more active as Christians. Although the child does not have the capacity to hear
and recognize the rite itself, it is the responsibility of the parents and the godparents
to teach and make the word of God to be known to the child. It is also the
responsibility of the people that are present at the rite to represent the child as the
caretaker and agent.
iv. We are shepherds and also have the mission to share what we know about Christ
and how to be a Christian.

b. Dogma/Church Teachings

i. The CORE of Baptism is new life with Christ. It is not only on washing away the
original sin. It is a sharing in Christ, a radical change of allegiance to Christ.

1. It is a new birth a birth unto hope which draws its life from the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; a birth of imperishable inheritance
(1 Peter 1:3f).
2. Christ is the PRIMORDIAL Sacrament not only when anyone baptizes, it is really
Christ himself who baptizes (SC 7). It is also means that Christ himself is the
GOAL and the fullness for which baptism I administered.

ii. Unification with others as member of Christs Body, the Church. (cf. CCC 1267-70)
1. Baptism confers a sharing in Christs very mission (CCC 1270).
a. Prophet
b. Priest
c. King
2. The baptized are called to exercise the priestly office of Christ and bear
witness to Christ who is their light. But this can take place only in the
spiritual house, the living community of members bonded together
sacramentally in Baptism.

iii. Sacrament of Faith

Baptism is rightly called the sacrament of faith because in asking to be baptized
we are asking Gods Church for the gift of faith. It is only within the community of
believers, Christs Body and enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we can
respond fully to the Gospel of Christ.

iv. Baptismal Zeal
1. 3 sacraments, Baptism, Confirmation and Orders, imprint a permanent sign
or seal, called the character in technical language. ( Please see CCC 1121). It is
the reason why these sacraments can only be received once.
2. It is a permanent mark on us, effecting real change in our relationship to
him and to the church.



S a n B a r t o l o m e H i g h S c h o o l
3 M o d u l e I : S A C R A M E N T S
CHURCH TEACHINGS ON BAPTISM
Popular Understanding Church Teachings
Baptism makes one think of
1. A. water




B. washing away original sin
Baptism truly means:
1. A. New life in Christ,
Sharing in His dying and rising with Him
which includes the forgiveness of original sin
and all personal sins.

B. through the cleansing power of water
and the Spirit.
2. A. entry to the Church building;

B. babies
C. Passive reception
D. Clerical Ritual

E. Works Automatically
2. a. Incorporation into the Christian
community, Christ Body.
B. of adults and babies
C. Sacrament of Churchs Faith
D. a personal prayer of those celebrating the
sacrament
E. receiving the transforming grace of Baptism
effecting conversion and drawing to an ever
deeper Christian commitment.
3. A. once-for-all ritual

B. No active influencing power in ordinary
life

C. Single past event
3. A. A ritual calling for a life of Christian
Discipleship
B. Influencing our daily life bu being the
permanent source of sharing in Gods own life in
Christ.
C. A single event grounding the baptized
whole future life-process, as manifested in the
yearly liturgical renewal of baptismal vows.


Important Details SUMMARY

Sacrament: Baptism
Sacramental Identification: Sacrament of Initiation
Minimum Age: No minimum age for reception
Can be repeated? No.
Sacramental Character imparted? Yes

MATTER: Water- poured on the head of the person or water in which a person may be immersed.

FORM: I baptized you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Ordinary Minister: Bishop, Priest, Deacon.

ExtraOrdinary Minister: In the case of an emergency, any person who carries out the rite of baptism
and who intends to baptize according to the intent of the Church may do so.











S a n B a r t o l o m e H i g h S c h o o l
4 M o d u l e I : S A C R A M E N T S














nota bene: please provide summary for your overall discourse about the sacraments based on our module.