Five Lesser Sacraments

These sacraments have been established by the practice of the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit for life's special occasions.

Confirmation

Confirmation is no longer thought of as the completion of Baptism. In Confirmation we commit ourselves into the hands of Christ, and dedicate ourselves to his service. The outward sign is the candidate's vows and the laying on of hands. The inward grace (gift) is the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit to live out these promises.

Penance

Penanceis sometimes called the Sacrament of Absolution or the Reconciliation of a Penitent. Penance is the act of confessing, in faith and penitence, all your sins to God in the presence of a priest. The outward sign is the words of absolution. The inward grace (gift) is the forgiveness of God setting us free to make a clean break with the sins of the past and a new beginning in the Christian Life.

Ordination

Ordination is the sacrament whereby a Christian, in faith and penitence, is ordered a deacon a priest, or a bishop to undertake a ministry of special responsibility with authority in the Church of God. The outward sign is the laying on of hands. The inward grace (gift) is the authority and strength to minister in the order to which that person is called.

Holy Matrimony

Holy Matrimony creates a state of Christian marriage. This occurs when a Christian man and woman, in faith and penitence before God, commit themselves the one to the other, in a life-long partnership of love. The outward sign is the act of commitment to one another. The inward grace (gift) is the strength to love, to support, to forgive, and to make a home.

Anointing of the Sick

The Anointing of the Sick involves the application of a little oil, with prayer, on the forehead of a person who is seriously ill. The outward sign is the anointing with oil. The inward grace (gift) is the healing power of Christ. It is normal practice to anoint a sick person only once for a serious illness.