DARNDALE BELCAMP PARISH 
Church of Our Lady Immaculate

CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR INFORMATION ON OUR COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS OF THE SACRAMENT:

 

The traditional definition of a sacrament is this: "A sacrament is a visible sign, instituted by Christ, to give grace." Within this definition there are three important statements:

 

• A visible sign
  An action is performed by a minister (usually a priest).
  For example, when a baby is baptized in the church the priest pours
  water over its head and at the same time says the words "I baptize
  you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
  That is a visible sign. 
    

• Instituted by Christ
  The Lord Jesus Christ instructed His church to offer the seven
  sacraments to His followers. For example, His directive to His
  disciples in Matthew's Gospel (28/19), "Go then, to all peoples
  everywhere and make them my disciples; baptize them in the name
  of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teach them to obey
  everything I have commanded you."
   

• To give grace 
  Grace is God's free gift of Himself as the controlling influence in
  our life and the decisions we make once we have committed ourselves
  to Him in faith.

 

In summary, a sacrament is one of the means God has chosen to influence our life in the direction of his purpose for giving us life. Sacraments draw us closer to God and give us a glimpse of the presence of God with us and the deep love and relationship God has with us. There are SEVEN SACRAMENTS: Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage and Ordination.