Holy Sacraments Offered at Our Lady La Vang
The sacraments are “efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us” (CCC 1131). Our Lady of La Vang Church offers all of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ, which include Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that “the seven sacraments touch all the stages and all important moments of the Christian life” (CCC 1210).
Baptism
“Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.” — Romans 6:3–4
In Baptism, we participate in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a result of this “immersion” in the Lord’s saving work (the term “baptism” means “immersion”), original sin is forgiven and grace is received. We thereby become members of the Body of Christ, the Church, and share in the life of God.
Confirmation
“‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” — John 20:21–22
Confirmation strengthens (“confirms”) the grace of Baptism with a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Aided by this sacrament, a confirmed Catholic is joined more closely to the Church and is empowered to be a more effective witness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Penance
“We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:20
The Sacrament of Penance, also known as Confession or Reconciliation, forgives sins and restores a person to the Church. Catholics are obliged to confess their grave sins at least once a year (CCC 989). Frequent confession of all sins, including venial or lesser ones, is encouraged (canon 988 §2). Children receive the Sacrament of Penance for the first time in preparation for First Holy Communion (for more information, see “First Holy Communion”).
Anointing
“Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.” — James 5:14–15
“The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick has as its purpose the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age” (CCC 1527). The Anointing of the Sick is not to be received only at the point of death; it should be received as soon as a person becomes seriously ill. By means of this sacrament, the sick person joins his or her sufferings to those of Christ, and so contributes to the salvation of the world.
Holy Orders
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
-2 Corinthians 5:20
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles, continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time. This is a sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate (bishop), presbyterate (priest), and diaconate (deacon). All Christians participate in the one priesthood of Christ. The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation the faithful are “consecrated to be…a holy priesthood.” Those who, after being baptized, receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders, also become part of the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood. The ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood of all the baptized.
Matrimony
"Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
-Genesis 2:18
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life” (no. 1661).