The Sacraments

A central element of the life and growth of Catholics is their participation in the sacraments, rites and ceremonies that express the grace of God in the people of God, accompanying and shaping their spiritual growth as they progress through life.

A brief introduction is given below to each of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. See the Newsletter for times of Mass, during which the Eucharist is celebrated, and Confession. To arrange to participate in the other sacraments, see the relevant entry in the Specific Enquiries section of the website.

Baptism

Baptism is the rite of initiation into the Church. Most frequently, St Werburgh's welcomes infants, children of existing Parishioners, at services on Saturday or Sunday mornings following the late-morning Mass, in a service that normally includes family, friends and godparents of the young person. However, the sacrament may be administered to people of any age who wish full membership of the Church, and may also occur within the Mass or alongside other liturgical ceremonies, such as the conferring of the sacrament of Confirmation.

Forgiveness

The sacrament of forgiveness, or reconciliation, often known also as confession or penance, provides an occasion for Catholics to acknowledge their sins and failings through the mediation of a priest. Where there is proper contrition for the faults acknowledged by the penitent, then the priest will pronounce a prayer of absolution that effects a full reconciliation with God and with the Church. As part of the reconciliatory process, the penitent must offer prayers or perform some other act of discipline prescribed by the priest.

Communion

Communion, or the sacrament of the Eucharist, is an act of thanksgiving and participation in the consecrated bread and wine that takes place during the Holy Mass.

Confirmation

Confirmation is a public acknowledgement that a person wishes to participate fully in the life of the Church. In traditional Catholic practice, where new members of the Church are baptised as infants, Confirmation is normally bestowed during the teenage years, when the individual can make a conscious choice to affirm the Faith in which he or she has been raised. Usually the Bishop will confirm a group of individuals who have reached this stage of their spiritual lives. The celebration involves anointing with holy oils and the laying on of hands. The participant will also adopt a new name, usually of a saint of the Church, representing particular virtues or aspects of the spiritual life that are held to be most appropriate.

Confirmation at St Werburgh's usually takes place every other year in alternation with St Columba's Parish, and in any given year we welcome members of other Parishes in our Confirmation groups.

Marriage

Marriage is the joining together in religious solemnity of two individuals to live together as one. It is a life-long union for mutual support and to provide a framework for raising a family.

Holy Orders

The sacrament of holy orders, or ordination, is the induction into the priesthood of ministers who may celebrate the Eucharist and other sacraments for the faithful.

The Sacrament of the Sick

The sacrament of anointing the sick involves a solemn anointing with oil of those who are gravely ill, for their spiritual strength in a time of physical duress.