Most of us are familiar with the word "sacrament." We participate in sacramental rites often as Catholics. But do we understand what a sacrament is—and what it means for us and our everyday lives?
Suggested Further Study
Watch the rest of the Symbolon series.
Knowing the Catholic Faith is one thing, but what about living it? Symbolon: Living the Faith answers that question by exploring how Jesus gave us the Sacraments, the Mass, and the rich treasures of Church teaching to enliven our faith and bring vibrancy to our Catholic lives. With experienced and insightful teaching from top presenters, complemented by beautiful cinematography from around the world, Symbolon: Living the Faith touches on all aspects of our lives for authentic spiritual growth and development.
The purpose of the sacraments is to make people holy, to build up the body of Christ, and finally, to give worship to God; but being signs, they also have a teaching function. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and object, they also nourish, strengthen, and express it; that is why they are called "sacraments of faith."
Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life:1 they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith.
Reminder: Class begins with the 7pm Mass,
followed by classroom session in room 5.