Sacraments of Initiation

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63C51D03 7867 471A B871 DF117E2FE215

The sacraments of Christian initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist—lay the foundations of every Christian life. “The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. 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.” (CCC 1212)

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spirtualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from the sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word.” (CCC 1213)

Information & Resources
FAQs
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Policy Highlights
Finding and Obtaining Baptismal Records

For “by the sacrament 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, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” (CCC 1285)

Information & Resources
Prayers to the Holy Spirit
FAQs
Policy Highlights

The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. (CCC 1322)

Information & Resources
Prayers for Eucharistic Adoration
FAQs
Parish List and Mass Times
Policy Highlights