Sacraments
“It is through the sacraments and the exercise of the virtues that the sacred nature and organic structure of the priestly community is brought into operation. Incorporated into the Church through baptism, the faithful are consecrated by the baptismal character to the exercise of the cult of the Christian religion. Reborn as sons and daughters of God, they must confess before people the faith which they have received from God through the Church. Bound more intimately to the Church by the sacrament of confirmation, they are endowed by the Holy Spirit with special strength. Hence they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith both by word and by deed as true witness of Christ.
Taking part in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, which is the fount and apex of the whole Christian life, they offer the divine Victim to God, and offer themselves along with it. Thus, both by act of oblation and though Holy Communion, all perform their proper part in this liturgical service, not, indeed, all in the same way but each in that way which is appropriate to her/himself. Strengthened anew at the holy table by the Body of Christ, they manifest in a practical way that unity of God’s People which is suitably signified and wondrously brought about by this most awesome sacrament.
Those who approach the sacrament of penance obtain pardon from the mercy of God for offences committed against God. They are at the same time reconciled with the Church, which they have wounded by their sins, and which by charity, example, and prayer seeks their conversion. By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of her priests, the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, asking that He may lighten their suffering and save them (cf. Jas. 5:14-16). She exhorts them, moreover, to contribute to the welfare of the whole People of God by associating themselves freely with the passion and death of Christ (cf. Rom. 8:17; Col. 1:24; 2 Tim. 2:11-12; I Pet. 4:13). Those of the faithful who are consecrated by holy orders are appointed to feed the Church in Christ’s name with the Word and the grace of God.
Finally, Christian spouses, in virtue of the sacrament of matrimony, signify and partake of the mystery of that unity and fruitful love which exists between Christ and His Church (cf. Eph. 5:32). The spouses thereby help each other to attain to holiness in their married life and by the rearing and education of their children. And so, in their state and order of life, they have their own special gift among the People of God (cf. I Cor. 7:7).
For from the wedlock of Christians there comes the family, in which new citizens of human society are born. By the grace of the Holy Spirit received in baptism these are made children of God, thus perpetuating the People of God through the centuries. The family is, so to speak, the domestic Church. In it parents should, by their word and example, be the first preachers of the faith to their children. They should encourage them in the vocation which is proper to each of them, fostering with special care any religious vocation.
Fortified by so many and such powerful means of salvation, all the faithful, whatever their condition or state, are called by the Lord, each in her/his own way, to that perfect holiness whereby God is perfect. Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution of The Church) Vatican II, paragraph 11.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Roman Catholic Church among other Christian denominations is the centrality of its Sacraments. The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments and the entire life of the Church is imbued with these sacred mysteries. The Sacraments are the “source and summit: of all the Church’s activity.
Any Towson University student, faculty, staff, or alumni and any man, woman or child of the Newman Center Community who has not received, yet wished to receive, one or more of the Church’s sacraments should contact the Campus Minister as soon as possible.
Programs of preparation and study for adult Baptism, Confirmation, and Marriage take from 6 months up to one year.
The Sacraments of the Anointing of the Sick and Penance are available upon request.
The Sacrament of the Eucharist is celebrated every Sunday and Holyday in the Church’s liturgical calendar.
Young men interested in the Sacrament of Holy Orders should make themselves know to the Campus Minister for guidance and spiritual direction.