This document provides an introduction to the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It defines what a sacrament is, including that it is a sacred sign instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church to give grace. It then explains the key elements of each sacrament - the matter, form, minister, recipient, and intention. It notes that if any of these elements are lacking, the sacrament is invalid. Finally, it discusses how the sacraments allow us to participate in the person of Christ and represent his earthly ministry.

1. Introduction to the Sacraments
Rev. Paul R. Fisher
Pastor, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Harrisburg
Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer

2. SACRAMENT:
• SACRED SIGN
• INSTITUTED BY CHRIST
• ENTRUSTED TO THE CHURCH
• WHICH ALWAYS GIVES GRACE

3. SACRAMENT:
• SACRED SIGN
• INSTITUTED BY CHRIST
• ENTRUSTED TO THE CHURCH
• WHICH ALWAYS GIVES GRACE

4. THE SACRAMENTAL SIGN
•MATTER
•FORM
•MINISTER
•RECEPIENT
•INTENTION
Note: if any one of these is lacking the sacrament is invalid

5. •Water
•Chrism
•Bread & Wine
•Handing on Ministry
•Relationship of Man and
Woman
•Confession of Sin
•Olive Oil
SACRAMENTAL MATTER

6. SACRAMENTAL FORM
for the Latin Church

7. • I Baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit - Baptism
• Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit – Confirmation
• Take this, all of you, and eat of it: For this is my Body
Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For this is the
Chalice of my Blood (within the context of the Holy Eucharist) -
Communion

8. • I take you to be my husband/wife to have and to hold,
in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you
all the days of my life. - Marriage
Orders:
• Bishop: Pour out upon this chosen one that power
which is from you, the governing Spirit whom you gave
to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, whom He gave to the
holy Apostles
• Presbyter: Grant, we beseech you, Almighty Father, to
these your servants, the dignity of the Priesthood
• Deacon: Send forth upon them, O Lord, we beseech you,
the Spirit of Holiness, in which the gift of your
sevenfold grace to carry out faithfully the work of the
ministry may be strengthened.

9. • I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit - Penance
• Through this Holy Anointing may the Lord in his love
and his mercy help you with the grace of the Holy
Spirit.
May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and
raise you up.- Anointing

10. SACRAMENTAL MINISTER

11. • BAPTISM
Ordinary Minister:
Bishop, Presbyter, Deacon
Extraordinary Minister:
Any human being
• CONFIRMATION
Original Ordinary Minister:
Bishop
Other Ordinary Minister:
Presbyter with faculties from Bishop

12. •EUCHARIST
Ordinary Minister:
Bishop, Presbyter
May be assisted in the distribution of the Sacred Species by
Deacon
Acolyte
Delegated member of the laity

13. • MARRIAGE
Baptized Person who is free to marry
Not free: Prior bond
Ordination
Natural Relationship
Impotence
• ORDERS
Ordinary Minister:
Bishop
Extraordinary Minister:
Presbyter with faculties from Pope
(historical – only for Deacon & Presbyter)

14. • PENANCE
Original Ordinary Minister:
Bishop
Other Ordinary Minister:
Presbyter with faculties from the Bishop
• ANOINTING
Ordinary Minister:
Bishop, Presbyter

15. SACRAMENTAL RECEPIENT

16. • BAPTISM - Any unbaptized human being
• CONFIRMATION - Any Baptized human being not
yet Confirmed
• COMMUNION - Any Baptized human being not
impeded
(for liceity not validity)

17. • MARRIAGE - Baptized Person who is free to marry
• ORDERS - Baptized Male not yet Ordained
• PENANCE - Baptized Person contrite of sins
• ANOINTING - Baptized Person suffering from
grave physical illness

18. SACRAMENTAL INTENTION

19. 1. On the part of the Minister
2. Minimal
To do what the Church does
3. Personal
4. External
5. Can be virtual/habitual
6. Presumed unless evidence to contrary
Notes On Intention

20. • BAPTISM
To wash away all sin
To impart the Sacramental character
To incorporate into the Church
• CONFIRMATION
To hand on the gifts of the Holy Spirit
To impart the Sacramental Character
• EUCHARIST
To make present the Body and Blood of Christ
To offer these as a Sacrifice of Praise
To offer these as a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
To offer these as a Sacrifice of Propitiation

21. • MARRIAGE
To establish a relationship with this person
that is permanent
that is faithful
that is fruitful
• ORDERS
To hand on the sacred ministry for which this person is
being presented
• PENANCE
To absolve all sins confessed
To restore to full communion with the Church
• ANOINTING
To consecrate the physical suffering
To forgive sins
To heal the body if it be God’s will

22. SACRAMENT:
• SACRED SIGN
• INSTITUTED BY CHRIST
• ENTRUSTED TO THE CHURCH
• WHICH ALWAYS GIVES GRACE

23. PARTICIPATION IN THE
PERSON OF CHRIST

24. •BAPTISM – Participation in his Sonship
•CONFIRMATION – Participation in his Anointing
•COMMUNION – Participation in his Body and
Blood
•MATRIMONY – Participation in his Hypostatic
Union
•ORDINATION – Participation in his 3-fold Ministry
•PENANCE – Participation in his Sinlessness
•ANOINTING – Participation in his Victimhood

25. RE-PRESENTATION OF HIS
EARTHLY MINISTRY
“As I have done so you must do”

26. Baptism of the Lord
BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION
Last Supper
HOLY COMMUNION
Wedding at Cana
HOLY MATRIMONY
Call and Sending of the 12
HOLY ORDERS
Washing of the Feet
PENANCE
Healing of the Sick (cf. Paralytic through the roof)
ANOINTING OF THE SICK

27. WORK OF THE RISEN CHRIST
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken
up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere,
and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his
word by the signs that accompanied it.
By His power Christ is present in the
sacraments,
so that when a man baptizes
it is really Christ Himself who baptizes
Sacrosanctum Concilium