Celebrating Rituals and Milestones
Experience God's Love by Celebrating Rituals, Sacraments and Milestones
Baptism
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Sacraments 101: Baptism
Why, exactly, do Catholics have the practice of baptizing infants? What is the purpose of baptism and who can celebrate the sacrament of Baptism? Do the godparents of our child need to be married to each other? These are questions and more are answered in this edition of “Sacraments 101,” a web video series geared for those who’d like an introduction or refresher course on these important, tangible Catholic experiences of God. Baptism is the beginning of the sacramental life of the Church. So, let’s begin… |
Confirmation
Sacraments 101: Confirmation (why we're confirmed)
BustedHalo.com's fantastic introduction to the Sacraments series: Why do I have to get confirmed if I'm already baptized? How do I choose a sponsor as I prepare for confirmation? Why do I have the option to choose a new name? |
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The Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a unique and beautiful aspect of the Catholic Church that allows us, as sinners, to obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and with one another.
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Sacrament of Reconciliation: Celebrating the Mercy of God
by Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. One Sunday afternoon in the 1930s in the parish in Germany where he was pastor, Fr. Bernard Häring was conducting the weekly religious instruction. This particular Sunday he was talking about Confession, and began by asking the congregation: “What is the most important thing about Confession?” A woman in the front pew immediately answered: “Telling your sins to the priest. That’s why we call it confession.” Fr. Häring said, “Confessing your sins is important, but it’s not the most important thing.” A man towards the back called out: “Contrition! Being sorry for your sins! The whole thing doesn’t work without contrition.” Fr. Häring said, “That’s right, it doesn’t ‘work’ without contrition; but I don’t think that contrition is the most important thing.” A man over on the left side of church spoke up: “It’s the examination of conscience. Unless you examine your conscience, you don’t know what you have to be sorry for and you don’t know what to confess. Anybody can see that the examination of conscience is the most important thing.” Fr. Häring wasn’t satisfied with this answer either. A young woman on the aisle tried: “It’s the penance–giving back the things you stole–unless you do the penance, it doesn’t count.” The congregation could tell by Fr. Häring’s face that he still hadn’t heard the most important thing. An uneasy silence fell over the church as people tried to think. In the silence a little girl in the third pew said: “Father, I know what’s most important. It’s what Jesus does!” Fr. Haring smiled. She had it right. In this Update, we’re going to emphasize what Jesus does for us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Read the Full Article by clicking Here. |