Sacramental Programme
Sacramental Programmes
Reconciliation:
The Sacrament of Penance (or Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession) is for spiritual healing. Catholics believe Jesus left the Sacrament of Penance because only God’s grace can heal a wounded soul.
After you confess your sins, the priest gives you a penance to perform. This may be doing something nice for others and/or a set of prayers, such as saying the Our Father or the Hail Mary, a certain number of times.
Confirmation:
This sacrament is called Confirmation because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong. Confirmation means accepting responsibility for your faith and destiny. The focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost and gave them courage to practice their faith. Catholics believe that the same Holy Spirit confirms Catholics during the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives them the same gifts and fruits. The ceremony may take place at Mass and the Bishop wears red vestments to symbolize the red tongues of fire seen hovering over the heads of the apostles at Pentecost.
Holy Communion:
Of all seven sacraments the Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion is the most central and important to Catholicism. The Holy Eucharist is food for the soul, so it’s given and eaten during Holy Communion at the Mass. When you receive Holy Communion, you’re intimately united with Jesus Christ — he literally becomes part of you. Also, by taking Holy Communion, you express your union with all Catholics who believe the same doctrines, obey the same laws, and follow the same leaders.
When boys and girls make their First Holy Communion, it’s a big occasion for Catholic families. Like their Baptism, the day of First Communion is one filled with family, friends, and feasting after the sacred event has taken place in church.
The Sacrament of Penance (or Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession) is for spiritual healing. Catholics believe Jesus left the Sacrament of Penance because only God’s grace can heal a wounded soul.
After you confess your sins, the priest gives you a penance to perform. This may be doing something nice for others and/or a set of prayers, such as saying the Our Father or the Hail Mary, a certain number of times.
Confirmation:
This sacrament is called Confirmation because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong. Confirmation means accepting responsibility for your faith and destiny. The focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost and gave them courage to practice their faith. Catholics believe that the same Holy Spirit confirms Catholics during the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives them the same gifts and fruits. The ceremony may take place at Mass and the Bishop wears red vestments to symbolize the red tongues of fire seen hovering over the heads of the apostles at Pentecost.
Holy Communion:
Of all seven sacraments the Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion is the most central and important to Catholicism. The Holy Eucharist is food for the soul, so it’s given and eaten during Holy Communion at the Mass. When you receive Holy Communion, you’re intimately united with Jesus Christ — he literally becomes part of you. Also, by taking Holy Communion, you express your union with all Catholics who believe the same doctrines, obey the same laws, and follow the same leaders.
When boys and girls make their First Holy Communion, it’s a big occasion for Catholic families. Like their Baptism, the day of First Communion is one filled with family, friends, and feasting after the sacred event has taken place in church.