Sacramentum caritatis ( The Sacrament of Charity ) is the first post- synodal ( Rome , October 2, 2005 – October 23, 2005) apostolic exhortation by Pope Benedict XVI . It was signed February 22, 2007.
68-632: The document expounded on the sacrament of the Eucharist . Following an introduction, it consisted of three parts, each presenting a different perspective of the Church 's understanding of the Eucharist. Pope Benedict examines the important relationship between the Eucharist and the other sacraments. He also highlights the social implications of the Eucharist and connects it with the Church's social teaching. The document
136-517: A divinity or a religious belief and praxis . Sacred mysteries may be either: A mystagogue or hierophant is a holder and teacher of secret knowledge in the former sense above, while mysticism may be defined as an area of philosophical or religious thought focusing on mysteries in the latter sense. The mystery religions of antiquity were religious cults which required initiation to be accepted as new member. Some had different levels of initiation, as well as doctrines which were mysteries in
204-409: A broad level, the mysteries are an affirmation of the goodness of created matter, and are an emphatic declaration of what that matter was originally created to be. Despite this broad view, Orthodox divines do write about there being seven "principal" mysteries. On a specific level, while not systematically limiting the mysteries to seven, the most profound Mystery is the Eucharist or Synaxis , in which
272-434: A variety of reasons, including a belief that it is better to concentrate on the reality behind the symbols; however, it does not forbid its members from receiving sacraments in other denominations. The Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) also do not practice formal sacraments, believing that all activities should be considered holy. Rather, they are focused on an inward transformation of one's whole life. Some Quakers use
340-875: Is mysterium fidei , "mystery of faith", defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1997) to mean a mystery hidden in God, which can never be known unless revealed by God. In the Roman Catholic Church the First Vatican Council re-affirmed the existence of mysteries as a doctrine of Catholic faith as follows: "If any one say that in Divine Revelation there are contained no mysteries properly so called ( vera et proprie dicta mysteria ), but that through reason rightly developed ( per rationem rite excultam ) all
408-485: Is a Christian rite that is recognized as being particularly important and significant. There are various views on the existence, number and meaning of such rites. Many Christians consider the sacraments to be a visible symbol of the reality of God , as well as a channel for God's grace . Many denominations , including the Roman Catholic , Lutheran , Presbyterian , Anglican , Methodist , and Reformed , hold to
476-403: Is divided in three parts revolving around the Eucharist as a mystery (1) to be believed, (2) to be celebrated, and (3) to be lived. In Sacramentum caritatis , Benedict quotes John 6:51, ""I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh". He points out that the Eucharist
544-600: Is essentially Trinitarian. "Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, in his Catecheses, states that we "call upon God in his mercy to send his Holy Spirit upon the offerings before us, to transform the bread into the body of Christ and the wine into the blood of Christ." The epiclesis of the Mass is a petition to the Father to send down the gift of the Spirit so that the bread and the wine will become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Benedict also expands on
612-463: Is used 27 times in the New Testament . Strong's Concordance defines Greek word mysterion (Strongs # 3466) "not as something unknowable, but rather a secret, that which can only be known through revelation, i.e. because God reveals it." Its meaning is less expressed by the modern usage of mystery (what is not understood) than by the word mystical (beyond understanding). In the biblical Greek ,
680-586: The Age of Persecution ended, secrecy was gradually relaxed. But the term continued to be used, and the same word is used in the Eastern Orthodox churches to mean both "mysteries" and "sacraments". This is not usually so in the West, although theologically many aspects of sacraments are recognized as mysteries in the main sense described above, especially (for those churches accepting it) the doctrine of transubstantiation in
748-670: The Catholic tradition and the Protestant Reformation . The Catholic heritage is perhaps most strongly asserted in the importance Anglicanism and Methodism places on the sacraments as a means of grace and sanctification , while the Reformed tradition has contributed a marked insistence on "lively faith" and "worthy reception". Anglican and Roman Catholic theologians participating in an Anglican/Roman Catholic Joint Preparatory Commission declared that they had "reached substantial agreement on
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#1732859126165816-683: The Coptic Orthodox Church , Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church , and the Armenian Orthodox Church . The Czechoslovak Hussite Church recognizes seven sacraments: baptism , eucharist , penance , confirmation , holy matrimony , holy orders , and anointing of the sick . The Moravian Church administers the sacraments of baptism and eucharist, as well as the rites of confirmation, holy matrimony, and holy orders. Lutherans hold that sacraments are sacred acts of divine institution. Whenever they are properly administered by
884-475: The Eastern Orthodox the term "sacrament" is a term which seeks to classify something that may, according to Orthodox thought, be impossible to classify. The Orthodox communion's preferred term is "Sacred Mystery", and the Orthodox communion has refrained from attempting to determine absolutely the exact form, number and effect of the sacraments, accepting simply that these elements are unknowable to all except God. On
952-528: The Eucharist . Hence Pope Paul VI 's papal encyclical of 3 September 1965 on the Eucharist was titled, from its opening words, Mysterium fidei . In the Roman Rite Catholic Mass within or immediately after the formula of consecration of the wine, the celebrant says "The mystery of faith". Originally the term "Mystery" was used for the sacraments generally in both the East and the West, as shown from
1020-499: The Evangelist Blessing , and administration to the sick". The enumeration, naming, understanding, and the adoption of the sacraments formally vary according to denomination , although the finer theological distinctions are not always understood and may not even be known to many of the faithful. Many Protestants and other post-Reformation traditions affirm Luther's definition and have only Baptism and Eucharist (or Communion or
1088-493: The visible church , and in it all the benefits of Christ are offered to the baptized. On the Lord's supper, Westminster takes a position between Lutheran sacramental union and Zwinglian memorialism: "the Lord's supper really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and feed upon Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally in, with, or under
1156-466: The " Mystagogical Homilies" of St. Cyril of Jerusalem and the work, On the Mysteries by St. Ambrose of Milan . Although all the official doctrines of Christian churches have long been fully public, the loosely defined area of Christian thought called Christian mysticism often concerns the contemplation of sacred mysteries and may include the development of personal theories about them, undertaken in
1224-567: The Augsburg Confession defines sacraments, according to the German text, as "outward signs and ceremonies that have God's command and have an attached divine promise of graces". His Latin text was shorter: "rites that have the command of God, and to which is added a promise of grace". This strict definition narrowed the number of sacraments down to three: Holy Baptism , the Eucharist , and Holy Absolution . Lutherans do not dogmatically define
1292-613: The Christian faith. The English word sacrament is derived indirectly from the Ecclesiastical Latin sacrāmentum , from the Latin sacrō ( ' hallow, consecrate ' ), itself derive from the Latin sacer ( ' sacred, holy ' ). In Ancient Rome , the term meant a soldier's oath of allegiance . Tertullian , a 3rd-century Christian writer, suggested that just as the soldier's oath
1360-628: The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments are necessary for salvation. Through each of them, Christ bestows that sacrament's particular healing and transforming grace of the Holy Spirit, making them participants in the divine nature through union with Christ. Autocephaly recognized by some autocephalous Churches de jure : Autocephaly and canonicity recognized by Constantinople and 3 other autocephalous Churches: Spiritual independence recognized by Georgian Orthodox Church: Semi-Autonomous: The Eastern Orthodox tradition does not limit
1428-479: The Church itself. Many Protestant denominations, such as those within the Reformed denomination of Calvinism , preach just two sacraments instituted by Christ, the Eucharist (or Holy Communion) and Baptism. The Lutheran sacraments include these two, often adding Confession (and Absolution) as a third sacrament. Anglican and Methodist teaching is that "there are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in
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#17328591261651496-560: The Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Order, and Matrimony; or even that any one of these seven is not truly and properly a sacrament; let him be anathema . [...] CANON IV. – If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law are not necessary unto salvation, but superfluous; and that, without them, or without the desire thereof, men obtain of God, through faith alone, the grace of justification; – though all (the sacraments) are not necessary for every individual; let him be anathema. During
1564-695: The Gospel ... but have not the like nature of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lord's Supper, for they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained by God." These phrases have led to a debate as to whether the five are to be called sacraments or not. A recent author writes that the Anglican Church gives "sacramental value to the other five recognized by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches" but these "do not reveal those essential aspects of redemption to which Baptism and Communion point". Some Anglicans maintain that
1632-585: The Gospel, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord," and that "those five commonly called Sacraments, that is to say, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel." Some traditions, such as The Religious Society of Friends do not observe any of the rites, or, in the case of Anabaptists , hold that they are simply reminders or commendable practices that do not impart actual grace—not sacraments but " ordinances " pertaining to certain aspects of
1700-481: The Holy Spirit mysteriously and invisibly confers Grace (the saving power of God) upon man". Orthodox instructional materials may list seven sacred mysteries, the same as the Western seven sacraments (Western names in parentheses): Baptism , Chrismation (Confirmation), Confession (Penance, Reconciliation), Holy Communion (Eucharist), Marriage (Holy Matrimony), Ordination (Holy Orders), and Unction (Anointing of
1768-459: The Lord's Supper (Eucharist), ordination (for males), initiatory (called Chrismation in other Christian traditions), endowment (similar to a monastic initiation involving the taking of vows and reception of priestly clothing), and marriage. In the Community of Christ , eight sacraments are recognized, including "baptism, confirmation, blessing of children, the Lord's Supper, ordination , marriage,
1836-672: The Lord's Supper affirms "to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ". In the Exhortations of the Prayer Book rite, the worthy communicant is bidden to "prepare himself by examination of conscience, repentance and amendment of life and above all to ensure that he is in love and charity with his neighbours" and those who are not "are warned to withdraw". This particular question
1904-454: The Lord's Supper) as sacraments, while others see the ritual as merely symbolic, and still others do not have a sacramental dimension at all. In addition to the traditional seven sacraments, other rituals have been considered sacraments by some Christian traditions. In particular, foot washing as seen in Anabaptist , Schwarzenau Brethren , German Baptist groups or True Jesus Church , and
1972-547: The Lord's Supper. He and all Reformed theologians following him completely rejected the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation and the treatment of the Supper as a sacrifice. He also could not accept the Lutheran doctrine of sacramental union in which Christ was "in, with and under" the elements. The Westminster Confession of Faith also limits the sacraments to baptism and the Lord's Supper. Sacraments are denoted "signs and seals of
2040-629: The Lutheran church. Luther himself around the time of his marriage and afterwards became one of the greatest champions of Marriage (Holy Matrimony), and the other two ( Confirmation and Ordination ) were kept in the Lutheran Church for purposes of good order. Within Lutheranism, the sacraments are a Means of Grace , and, together with the Word of God , empower the Church for mission. Anglican and Methodist sacramental theology reflects its dual roots in
2108-597: The Middle Ages, sacramental records were in Latin. Even after the Reformation, many ecclesiastical leaders continued using this practice into the 20th century. On occasion, Protestant ministers followed the same practice. Since W was not part of the Latin alphabet, scribes only used it when dealing with names or places. In addition, names were modified to fit a "Latin mold". For instance, the name Joseph would be rendered as Iosephus or Josephus. The Catholic Church indicates that
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2176-621: The Mysteries in such precise terms. And, although the Western Church teaches that the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist are one sacrament, the Divine Liturgy refers to the Eucharist as the Mysteries , in the plural. Orthodox Christians have always received Holy Communion in both species (both the body and the blood ), and even reserve both in the tabernacle . The sacred mysteries can be defined as "those holy acts through which
2244-607: The Sick (Extreme Unction). The Eastern Churches , such as the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Church as well as the Eastern Catholic Churches , also believe that there are seven major sacraments, but apply the words sacred mysteries corresponding to Greek word, μυστήριον ( mysterion ), and also to rites that in the Western tradition are called sacramentals and to other realities, such as
2312-630: The Sick (before the Second Vatican Council generally called Extreme Unction). The list of seven sacraments already given by the Second Council of Lyon (1274) and the Council of Florence (1439) was reaffirmed by the Council of Trent (1545–1563), which stated: CANON I. – If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law were not all instituted by Jesus Christ, our Lord; or that they are more, or less, than seven, to wit, Baptism, Confirmation,
2380-418: The Sick, formerly Extreme Unction). However, in Orthodox theology the term is not limited to these seven. As in the West, all faithful men are expected to receive six of the seven listed above, and may or may not receive either marriage or ordination, or both; women may not be received into the priesthood, but may be given monastic orders. Christian life is centered in the mystery of the incarnation of Christ ,
2448-509: The actual theology is sacramental in nature. Latter-day Saint ordinances are understood as conferring an invisible form of grace of a saving nature and are required for salvation and exaltation . Latter-day Saints often use the word " sacrament " to refer specifically to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, also known as the Lord's Supper , in which participants eat bread and drink wine (or water, since
2516-539: The bread and wine; yet, as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance as the elements themselves are to their outward senses." Irvingian denominations such as the New Apostolic Church teach three sacraments: Baptism , Holy Communion and Holy Sealing . Members of the Latter-day Saint movement often use the word " ordinance " in the place of the word "sacrament", but
2584-408: The covenant of grace". Westminster speaks of "a sacramental relation, or a sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified; whence it comes to pass that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other". Baptism is for infant children of believers as well as believers, as it is for all the Reformed except Baptists and some Congregationalists . Baptism admits the baptized into
2652-555: The definition of sacrament formulated by Augustine of Hippo : an outward sign of an inward grace, that has been instituted by Jesus Christ. Sacraments signify God's grace in a way that is outwardly observable to the participant. The Catholic Church , Hussite Church and the Old Catholic Church recognise seven sacraments: Baptism , Penance (Reconciliation or Confession), Eucharist (or Holy Communion), Confirmation , Marriage (Matrimony), Holy Orders , and Anointing of
2720-499: The doctrine of the Eucharist". Similarly, Methodist/Roman Catholic Dialogue has affirmed that "Methodists and Catholics affirm the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This reality does not depend on the experience of the communicant, although it is only by faith that we become aware of Christ's presence." The Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council jointly understand the word "sacrament" as referring not only to
2788-606: The dogmas of faith can be understood and demonstrated from natural principles: let him be anathema " (Sess. III, De fide et ratione , can. i). The position, if not the terminology, of other Christian churches is essentially the same. In parts of the Early Christian Church , many aspects of Christian theology, including some sacraments and sacramentals , the so-called disciplina arcani , were kept hidden from pagans lest they become objects of ridicule, and were also introduced gradually to catechumens or new converts. As
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2856-647: The effect of the sacraments comes ex opere operato , by the very fact of being administered, regardless of the personal holiness of the minister administering it. However, as indicated in this definition of the sacraments given by the Catechism of the Catholic Church , a recipient's own lack of proper disposition to receive the grace conveyed can block a sacrament's effectiveness in that person. The sacraments presuppose faith and, through their words and ritual elements, nourish, strengthen and give expression to faith. Though not every individual has to receive every sacrament,
2924-591: The effects of the sacraments. Some hold views similar to the Roman Catholic ex opere operato theory. Article XXVI (entitled Of the unworthiness of ministers which hinders not the effect of the Sacrament ) states that the "ministration of the Word and Sacraments" is not done in the name of the minister, "neither is the effect of Christ's ordinance taken away by their wickedness," since the sacraments have their effect "because of Christ's intention and promise, although they be ministered by evil men". As in Roman Catholic theology,
2992-430: The elements within the rite of Mass that express consciousness of personal sin and, at the same time, of God's mercy, can prove most helpful to the faithful." Since the beauty of the Eucharist pertains directly to Christ in his person, it enables the participants a glimpse into the eschatological dimension inherent in the Eucharist as a pledge of future glory. In the celebration of the Eucharist, Jesus Christ shows us how
3060-494: The exact number of sacraments. Luther's initial statement in his Large Catechism speaks of two sacraments, Baptism and the Eucharist, in addition to Confession and Absolution, "the third sacrament". The definition of sacrament in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession lists Absolution as one of them. It is important to note that although Lutherans do not consider the other four rites as sacraments, they are still retained and used in
3128-540: The hearing of the Gospel, as understood by a few Christian groups (such as the Polish National Catholic Church of America ), have been considered sacraments by some churches. The Assyrian Church of the East holds the Holy Leaven and the sign of the cross as sacraments. Since some post-Reformation denominations do not regard clergy as having a classically sacerdotal or priestly function, they avoid
3196-531: The knowledge that they can never be fully apprehended by man. The term is used in Eastern Christianity to refer to what the Western Church currently calls sacraments and sacramentals , terms which the Western Church has carefully defined in canon law . Thus, for instance, the Council of Trent declared there to be exactly seven sacraments . The Eastern Churches , in contrast, have never defined
3264-404: The late 1800s) as tokens of the flesh and blood of Christ. In Latter-day Saint congregations, the sacrament is normally provided every Sunday as part of the sacrament meeting and, like other Latter-day Saint ordinances such as baptism and confirmation, is considered an essential and sacred rite. Latter-day Saint ordinances which are considered "saving" include baptism, confirmation, sacrament of
3332-475: The mercy of God." In the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, "the sacraments are efficacious signs of grace , instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions." While
3400-475: The number of sacraments to seven, holding that anything the Church does as Church is in some sense sacramental . However, it recognizes these seven as "the major sacraments" which are completed by many other blessings and special services. Some lists of the sacraments taken from the Church Fathers include the consecration of a church, monastic tonsure , and the burial of the dead . More specifically, for
3468-541: The partakers, by participation in the liturgy and receiving the consecrated bread and wine (understood to have become the body and blood of Christ) directly communicate with God. No claim is made to understand how exactly this happens. The Eastern Orthodox merely state: "This appears to be in the form of bread and wine, but God has told me it is His Body and Blood. I will take what He says as a 'mystery' and not attempt to rationalize it to my limited mind". The seven sacraments are also accepted by Oriental Orthodoxy , including
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#17328591261653536-429: The relationship between the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance. "We know that the faithful are surrounded by a culture that tends to eliminate the sense of sin and to promote a superficial approach that overlooks the need to be in a state of grace in order to approach sacramental communion worthily. The loss of a consciousness of sin always entails a certain superficiality in the understanding of God's love. Bringing out
3604-503: The sacerdotal role. Baptists and Pentecostals , among other Christian denominations , use the word ordinance rather than sacrament because of certain sacerdotal ideas connected, in their view, with the word sacrament . These churches argue that the word ordinance points to the ordaining authority of Christ which lies behind the practice. Some denominations do not have a sacramental dimension (or equivalent) at all. The Salvation Army does not practice formal sacraments for
3672-500: The sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments," and accordingly, "since Christ died for the salvation of all, those can be saved without Baptism who die for the faith ( Baptism of blood ). Catechumens and all those who, even without knowing Christ and the Church, still (under the impulse of grace) sincerely seek God and strive to do his will can also be saved without Baptism ( Baptism of desire ). The Church in her liturgy entrusts children who die without Baptism to
3740-416: The sacraments are necessary for salvation, though not every sacrament is necessary for every individual. The Church applies this teaching even to the sacrament of baptism, the gateway to the other sacraments. It states that "Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament." But it adds: "God has bound salvation to
3808-702: The sacraments considered here, but also to Christ and the Church. Article XXV of the Thirty-Nine Articles in Anglicanism and Article XVI of the Articles of Religion in Methodism recognise only two sacraments (Baptism and the Supper of the Lord) since these are the only ones ordained by Christ in the Gospel. The article continues stating that "Those five commonly called Sacraments ... are not to be counted for Sacraments of
3876-489: The sacraments in the Catholic Church are regarded as means of Divine Grace, The Catholic definition of a sacrament is an event in Christian life that is both spiritual and physical. The seven Catholic sacraments have been separated into three groups. The first three Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation. The two Healing Sacraments are Anointing of the Sick and Penance. The two Sacraments of Vocation are Matrimony and Holy Orders. The Church teaches that
3944-591: The sense of requiring supernatural explanation. In some, parts of the doctrine were apparently only known to priests. They included the Eleusinian Mysteries , Mithraism , the Cult of Isis , and the Cult of Sol Invictus . Mystery traditions were popular in ancient Greece and during the height of the Roman Empire , and parts of Early Christianity used secrecy in the same way. The Greek word (μυστήριον) mysterion
4012-403: The term "sacrament", preferring the terms "sacerdotal function", "ordinance", or "tradition". This belief invests the efficacy of the ordinance in the obedience and participation of the believer and the witness of the presiding minister and the congregation. This view stems from a highly developed concept of the priesthood of all believers . In this sense, the believer himself or herself performs
4080-455: The term refers to "that which awaits disclosure or interpretation". On the other hand, most Christian traditions hold that many of the basic aspects of Christian theology are more than just secrets - they cannot be explained or apprehended by mundane reason, including the nature of the Trinity , the virgin birth of Jesus , and the resurrection of Jesus . In the Catholic church, the Latin term
4148-452: The truth of love can transform even the dark mystery of death into the radiant light of the resurrection. Through the Eucharist, He becomes all in all, present in his totality within the members of the Church (par #36). The individual members make up the spiritual stones of the Church. Singing is an expression of joy and, if we consider the matter, an expression of love. The new man sings a new song. (par #42) Sacrament A sacrament
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#17328591261654216-483: The union of God and man. However, the redemption of man is not considered to have taken place only in the past, but continues to this day through theosis . The Sacraments, or Sacred Mysteries are the most important means by which the faithful may obtain union with God, provided they are received with faith after appropriate preparation . Christians believe that God is present everywhere and fills all things by his divine grace , and that all of creation is, in some sense,
4284-624: The use of "commonly" implies that the others can legitimately be called sacraments (perhaps more exactly "Sacraments of the Church" as opposed to "Sacraments of the Gospel"); others object that at the time the Articles were written "commonly" meant "inaccurately" and point out that the Prayer Book refers to the creeds "commonly called the Apostles' Creed" and the "Athanasian" where both attributions are historically incorrect. Anglicans are also divided as to
4352-440: The use of the physical component commanded by God along with the divine words of institution, God is, in a way specific to each sacrament, present with the Word and physical component. He earnestly offers to all who receive the sacrament forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation. He also works in the recipients to get them to accept these blessings and to increase the assurance of their possession. Melanchthon 's Apology of
4420-414: The words "Baptism" and "Communion" to describe the experience of Christ's presence and his ministry in worship. The Clancularii were an Anabaptist group in the 16th century who reasoned that because religion was seated in the heart, there was no need of any outward expression through the sacraments. Sacred mysteries Sacred mysteries are the areas of supernatural phenomena associated with
4488-599: The worthiness or unworthiness of the recipient is of great importance. Article XXV in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Anglicanism and Article XVI in the Articles of Religion in Methodism states: "And in such only as worthily receive the [sacraments], they have a wholesome effect and operation: but they that receive them unworthily purchase for themselves damnation," and Article XXVIII in Anglicanism's Thirty-Nine Articles (Article XVIII in Methodism's Articles of Religion ) on
4556-408: Was a sign of the beginning of a new life, so too was initiation into the Christian community through baptism and Eucharist . Roman Catholic theology enumerates seven sacraments: Baptism , Confirmation (Chrismation), Eucharist (Communion), Penance (Reconciliation, Confession), Matrimony (Marriage), Holy Orders (ordination to the diaconate , priesthood , or episcopate ) and Anointing of
4624-453: Was fiercely debated in the 19th century arguments over Baptismal Regeneration , culminating in the Gorham Case , wherein the Church of England decided in favor of Baptismal Regeneration, but the secular court overruled them. John Calvin defined a sacrament as an earthly sign associated with a promise from God. He accepted only two sacraments as valid under the new covenant: baptism and
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