Uy, Diane Margret V.

2013400067 SEMINAR 2 1-A

March 24, 2014

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SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

The sacraments of Christian Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist; such sacraments lay the foundations of every Christian life. Accordingly, the faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life as nourishment. By means of these sacraments of Christian Initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity. The Initiation into the life of the Church as a three-tiered sacramental process is gradual and continuous. It takes place within the community of the faithful and is responsible for passing on its faith, values and traditions to the next generation; included in such responsibility is introducing the children into the Sacramental life of the Church. In the process of initiation the three sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist are interrelated and are introduced in our lives gradually. Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and gives access to the other sacraments; we are then called Children of Light. It is celebrated during our infantry to free us from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers of Catholic mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word. Baptism is the first sacrament celebrated and is considered as a foundation to Catholic life since Baptismal Grace includes the reality of: (1.) forgiveness of Original Sin, (2.) birth into new life as adoptive children of the Father in Jesus, (3.) Members of the mystical body of Christ, (4.) temples of the Holy Spirit and (5.) partakes of Christs priesthood. It is hence our Christian identity. By the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptised are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence are considered as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed. By signing us with the gift of the Spirit, Conrmation makes us more completely the image of the Lord and lls us with the Holy Spirit, so that we may bear witness to him before all the world and work to bring the Body of Christ to its fullness as soon as possible. Through Confirmation, the Holy Spirit: (1.) keeps us rooted more deeply in divine filiation, (2.) incorporates us more firmly into Christ, (3.) strengthens our bonds with the Church and associates us more closely

with her mission and (4.) helps us bear witness to the Christian faith. The Sacrament of Confirmation seals us with the sign of the Spirit and completes the grace of Baptism. Confirmation is our own Pentecost. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. It completes the Christian Initiation. The communion with the body of Christ: (1.) increases our union with the Lord, (2.) forgive our venial sins and preserves us from grave sins, (3.) strengthens our bond of charity with Jesus, (4.) reinforces the unity of the whole Church. Through communion, the Lord comes to us as act of thanksgiving, as a memorial, as presence, as sacrifice, as source and summit of the Church life. Through the Eucharist, we are reminded of Jesus sacrifice for our salvation, and by receiving the Eucharist, we receive nourishment and grace.

Uy, Diane Margret V. 2013400067 SEMINAR 2 1-A

March 24, 2014

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BAPTISM

Embedded in the Catholic life are Sacraments which allow us to receive graces from God and achieve the perfection of charity. The sacraments are signs established by Jesus Christ that cause what they signify, heal us from sin and nourish Gods grace bestowed upon us. Its importance also roots from the facts that the power of the Paschal mystery of Jesus is presented to us for the sake of salvation. In relation to filial adoption by God, the seven channels of grace or sacraments are further manifestations that we are the children of God, and He increases his life of grace within us. The first among the seven sacraments is Baptism. It is considered as the first step for full membership in the Body of Christ, and the first of Christian Initiation. It is the basis and foundation of Christian life as it opens the door, and paves way for our own salvation, and to experience the promise of God. Baptism literally means "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature." All of us are born with the stain of original sin. Hence, the original sin may be seen as a hindrance in our journey towards Gods perfection. However, God offers us a way to be freed from the original sin which is Baptism. Through this sacrament, we are freed and cleansed; it allows us to be closer to God and enjoy a life with Him, and shelters us from the darkness. Jesus Christ himself made it clear that baptism was necessary for salvation, that unless man is born again with water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Hence, for Catholics, the sacrament is not a mere formality; it is the very mark of a Christian, because it brings us into new life in Christ. Baptism can be considered as one of God's most beautiful and magnificent gifts, it is alternatively called a gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth and seal. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing

for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship. (St. Gregory of Nazianzus) As a child, we may have seen Baptism as an ordinary or routinary process which an infant is presumed to experience. However, the meaning and significance of Baptism in the Catholic life is one with various and deep meanings. Since it was initially the parents choice to allow their child to be baptized, a child is baptized into the faith of the community; it becomes the responsibility of the community to pass on their faith to the child. It is not only a decision which involves a child and his parents but Baptism also requires the participation of the community. Baptism is also a very special sacrament since it may only be done once in our whole lifetime. Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of its character, Baptism cannot be repeated. However, Baptismal commitment may be renewed every day through blessing of holy water. Thus, although Baptism may be done once in a lifetime, its commitment may be renewed daily and remind ourselves of the mission of the Church as well as our to profess our spiritual identity.

Uy, Diane Margret V. 2013400067 SEMINAR 2 1-A

March 24, 2014

______________________________________________________________________________

CONFIRMATION

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. Receiving the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. By means of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are said to be as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed. Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing and what it signifies and imprints: a spiritual seal. By anointing the baptized, he receives the "mark," the seal of the Holy Spirit. Catholics are also marked with a seal: "It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has commissioned us; he has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." This seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrollment in his service for ever, as well as the promise of divine protection in the great eschatological trial. The celebration of Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace: (1.) it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation; (2.) it unites us more firmly to Christ; (3.) it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us; (4.) it renders our bond with the Church more perfect; and (4.) it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross. Since Confirmation completes Baptism, it also be given only once, for it too imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual mark, the "character," which is the sign that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the seal of his Spirit by clothing him with power from on high so that he may be his witness.

By receiving the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence are also received. This sacrament is also transformative as it changes who we and who we are capable of becoming, and it allows to share Gods word, and not just to hear Gods word.