The Sacrament of Baptism
By Frederick Pogorzelski

Holy Baptism is the first sacrament we receive and is one of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. It was explicitly instituted by Christ and is the means, by which we become adopted children of the family of God ( Mt 28:19 ) ( Jn 3:5 ) ( Acts 2:38 ). Baptism is like a first kiss from God. It produces in the soul an indelible spiritual mark or character; sanctifying us, and unites us to Christ and to his Church; the mystical body of Christ ( Gal 3:27 ) ( 1 Cor 6:11; 12:13 ). Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

The Sacrament of Confirmation
By Frederick Pogorzelski

Holy Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of Christian initiation and is the reception of the gift of the Holy Spirit in order to make Christians strong and perfect soldiers of Jesus Christ ( Acts 2:2; 8:15; 10:44,47; 19:1 ). It is God's love being poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us ( Rom 5:5; 8:4-16 ) ( Gal 4:4-7 ). This sacrament was instituted by Jesus when he promised to send another Councellor ( Jn 14:16 ) who will teach the disciples everything ( Jn 14:26 ), who will bear witness to Jesus and enable them to bear witness ( Jn 15:26 ) and who will empower the disciples to speak for he will tell them what to say ( Jn 16:13 ). The Sacrament of Holy Confirmation.

The Sacrament of the Eucharist
By Frederick Pogorzelski

Holy Communion, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, is one of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. It was explicitly instituted by Christ ( Mt 26:26-29 ) ( Mk 14:22-25 ). The Eucharist, or thanksgiving offering, is rich in symbolic themes of Christian teachings. Saint Paul says, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes". It also symbolizes Christian unity as a common meal by members of the Church( Acts 2:46-47 ) ( 1 Cor 10:17; 11:17-33; 12:27 ). The Sacrament of Holy Communion.

The Sacrament of Matrimony. Matrimony a Covenant.
By Frederick Pogorzelski

A covenant or partnership of life between a man and a woman, which is ordered to the well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children. When validly contracted between two baptized people, Marriage is a sacrament. The Marriage covenant and celebration is an exchange of persons witnessed by a priest or deacon and sealed by the Holy Spirit. The Church minister at the celebration receives the mutual consent of the spouses in the name of the Church and gives the blessing of the Church.The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Matrimony is a Covenant.

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
By Frederick Pogorzelski

The sacrament of anointing of the sick can be a sacrament of healing at both the physical and spiritual level. It is administered to a baptized person by a priest through prayer and the anointing of the body with oil. The baptized person being in danger of death, because of illness or old age. It may be Christ's final offer of forgiveness in which the sinner can be reconciled to God ( Lk 4:40 ) ( Jas 5:13-16 ) ( Mt 10:8 ) ( Acts 9:33-34; 14:3 ). The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders
By Frederick Pogorzelski

Holy Orders is the sacrament of Apostolic Ministry, by which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised and passed on in the Churchthrough the laying on of hands ( Titus 1:5-9 ) ( Acts 1:8-26; 2:4; 6:1-7; 13:1-3; 14:22-23; 20:28 ) ( 2 Tim 1:6-7 ) ( Mt 16:18-19 ) ( Jn 10:36; 20:22-23; 21:17 ) ( 1 Tim 3:1-13; 4:14; 5:22 ). Through Baptism, all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. Through Apostolic Succession, ordination is conferred by the bishop, who himself is under authority of the Pope, the successor of Saint Peter. The Sacrament of Holy Orders.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation
By Frederick Pogorzelski

Reconciliation is a sacramental celebration and reunion of a sinner with both God and the Church( Rev 22:14,15 ) ( Lk 15:9,19,32 ) ( 1 Cor 12:26 ). It continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness. Christ, in his mercy and great love, gave us this sacrament, which liberates us from sin and guilt and strengthens us with grace. Sinners who are estranged because of their evil deeds can reconcile by being contrite and by having a conversion of the heart towards God, which may include some external penance such as prayer, fasting, or almsgiving ( Col 1:21,22 ) ( Lk 7:44-50; 17:14; 19:9,10 ) ( Heb 9:14,15 ). The Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Council of Trent, Sixth Session. Justification. Chapters XI - XVI.

Chapter XI.

On keeping the Commandments, and on the necessity and possibility thereof. But no one, how much soever justified, ought to think himself exempt from the observance of the commandments; no one ought to make use of that rash saying, one prohibited by the fathers under an anathema, - that the observance of the commandments of God is impossible for one that is justified. Council of Trent, Sixth Session, Justification.