Meaning of Sacrament (What is, Concept and Definition) - Meanings

Meaning of sacrament

What is Sacrament:

A sacrament is an outward and visible sign that communicates divine grace and a means for personal sanctification within Christianity. Examples of sacraments are baptism and the Eucharist.

The word sacrament comes from the Latin sacramentum, made up of the expressions sacrare, which means 'to make holy, and the suffix mentum, which means 'means for'.

As a community manifestation, the sacraments are also a public expression of the Christian faith, and participating in them constitutes a way of worshiping God.

The sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ and truly represent the action of God promised by him. Therefore, it is said that they are effective since what they mean is fulfilled in them.

Although the sacraments are practiced in all denominations of Christianity, the number of them varies from one Church to another.

The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders. These sacraments are also recognized by the Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church.

The Reformed or Protestant Churches recognize two sacraments: baptism and the Eucharist (also called the Lord's Supper). Although the meanings of baptism and the Eucharist are the same as in the Catholic Church, there may be differences in the ways of administering them.

The sacraments are imparted by a minister, that is, an authorized person. They are expressed by means of a visible or perceptible sign, called matter. For example, a symbolic action or something material (water, bread, and wine). Finally, the sacraments are considered effective once the minister pronounces prayers called forms. For example, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Sacraments of the Catholic, Orthodox, and Coptic Church

1. Baptism: it is a sacrament of initiation, through which the person receives the grace of the Holy Spirit, initiates the following of the Gospel, and joins the Christian Church. In Catholicism, baptism is practiced by ablution, that is, by pouring a little water on the head of the person being baptized.
2. Eucharist: it is the memorial of the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in which the Gospel is preached, and the bread and wine are consecrated and shared. Bread and wine symbolize the sacrifice of Jesus and the new covenant for eternal life.
3. Confirmation: consists of the renewal of the baptismal promises and the increase of the grace of the Holy Spirit.
4. Marriage: is the blessing of the union between man and woman before God, in order to form a Christian family.
5. Priestly order: it is the ceremony of consecration of the baptized man as presbyter or priest.
6. Reconciliation: consists of the confession that a person makes of his sins and their absolution by a priest who acts on behalf of God.
7. Anointing of the sick: it consists of the blessing of sick people or people unable to go to the sacraments on a regular basis, in order to transmit strength, peace, and consolation.

 

Sacraments of the Reformed Churches

The Reformed Churches, also called Protestant, recognize two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper or Eucharist.

The following are Reformed Churches: Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Calvinist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Adventist, and Evangelical Church, among others.

Baptism in the Reformed Churches also represents the reception of the Holy Spirit and the initiation to Christianity, expressed in water as an external sign. There are two ways to administer it, depending on the religious denomination:

1. Baptism by sprinkling: it consists of sprinkling water on the head of the person being baptized.
2. Baptism by immersion: consists of immersing the baptized whole body in a pool, lake, or river.

Certain Reformed churches admit the baptism of young children. For example, the Lutheran Church. Others require a minimum age since they consider that this sacrament should be an expression of personal and free encounter with Christ.

The Lord's Supper can change its name depending on the Church: Holy Office, Worship, Eucharist, or Holy Supper. During the celebration, the people gather to share the Gospel and practice the memorial of the life, passion, death (sacrifice), and resurrection of Christ. The meaning is the same as in the Catholic, Orthodox, and Coptic Churches, although the forms vary.

Reformed Churches also practice marriage, confession of sins, confirmation, the consecration of their leaders, and anointing of the sick, but consider them rituals, not sacraments. For example, the Anglican Church classifies holy orders as a minor sacrament.

 

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