The Seven Sacraments Altarpiece.
Artist: Rogier van der Weyden (1399 — 1464).
Date: 1445.
Collection:
Source/Photographer: Web Gallery of Art.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia, unless stated otherwise.
A Sacrament is a Christian Rite which is recognised as being particularly important and significant.[1]
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 Catholic Church, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, and Reformed, hold to the definition of Sacrament formulated by Augustine of Hippo: “An Outward Sign of an Inward Grace, that has been instituted by Jesus Christ.[2][3][4][5]
Council of Trent in Santa Maria Maggiore Church,
Trent, Italy.
The Council of Trent defined the Seven Sacraments.
Date: Late-17th-Century.
Source/Photographer:
Permission: PD art
Author: Unknown.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Illustration: CHURCH OF SAINT AGNES, MINNESOTA
The following Red Text is taken from
Google AI Overview, which states that:
“AI responses may include mistakes”.
The IHS symbol in Religion is a Christogram, representing Jesus Christ. It’s an abbreviation of the Greek name of Jesus (ΙΗΣΟΥΣ, Iēsous), transliterated as IHS.
While originally signifying “Iēsous”, it has been interpreted in various ways, including “Iesus Hominum Salvator” (“Jesus, Saviour of Mankind”) and “In Hoc Signo” (“By this sign”).
Sacraments are Sacred Rituals instituted by
Jesus Christ that confer Grace and are essential
for a Christian’s relationship with God.
Sacramentals, on the other hand, are objects or actions
used by The Church to promote devotion and
spiritual growth, but do not confer Grace, directly.
The Council of Trent, the 19th-Ecumenical Council of
The Catholic Church, was held in three sessions
from 1545 to 1563 in Trent, Italy.
It was convened by Pope Paul III in response to the
Protestant Reformation and aimed to address both internal abuses within The Church and clarify Catholic doctrine
in contrast to Protestant beliefs.
It is considered a pivotal event in the Counter-Reformation, shaping the Catholic Church’s response to the
Reformation and solidifying its identity.
Key Features and Outcomes:
Doctrinal Clarification:
The Council clarified and defined Catholic doctrines,
such as the role of Faith and good works in salvation,
the Eucharist, and the Seven Sacraments, in response
to Protestant challenges.
Reformation of the Church:
The Council addressed issues of corruption within the
Clergy, including issues like absenteeism and pluralism,
and sought to improve pastoral care and education.
The Latin Vulgate:
The Council declared the Latin Vulgate
as the official Bible for The Church.
Anathema and Excommunication:
The Council issued anathemas, condemning
Protestant doctrines, and specified heretical beliefs
that would lead to excommunication.
Establishment of the Roman Catechism:
The Council commissioned the first Church-wide
Roman Catholic Catechism to aid in teaching of doctrine.
Emphasis on Tradition:
The Council emphasised the importance of both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition as Sources of Revelation.
Impact on the Counter-Reformation:
The Council of Trent is seen as a key component of the
Counter-Reformation, a period of Catholic renewal and
reform that sought to counter the Protestant Reformation.
Sacraments signify God’s Grace in a way that is outwardly observable to the participant.[5]
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;
Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction).[6][7]
The Eastern Churches, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Church, as well as the Eastern Catholic Churches, recognise these as the Seven Major Sacraments.
A Sacramental is a Sacred Sign, a Ritual Act, or a Ceremony, which, in a certain imitation of the Sacraments, has a Spiritual effect and is obtained through the intercession of The Church.[1]
Sacramentals surround the Sacraments like a wreath and extend them into the everyday life of Christians.
Sacramentals are recognised by The Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Church of the East, the Lutheran Churches, the Old Catholic Church, the Anglican Churches, and Independent Catholic Churches.
In the Bible, Prayer Cloths and Holy Oil are mentioned in reference to Praying for healing.[2][3]
Holy Water is a Sacramental that the Faithful use to recall their Baptism; other common Sacramentals include Blessed Candles (given to the Faithful on Candlemas), Blessed Palms (Blessed at the beginning of the Procession on Palm Sunday), Blessed Ashes (bestowed on Ash Wednesday), a Cross Necklace (often taken to be Blessed by a Pastor/Priest before daily use), a Head-Covering/Mantilla (worn by women, especially during Prayer and Worship), Blessed Salt, and Holy Cards, as well as Christian Art, especially a Crucifix.[4][5]
Apart from those worn daily, such as a Cross Necklace or Devotional Scapular, Sacramentals such as a Family Bible, are often kept on Home Altars in Christian households.[6][7]
Ichthys emblems are Sacramentals applied to vehicles to signify that the owner is a Christian and to offer protection while driving.[8][9]
When Blessed in a Betrothal Ceremony, Engagement Rings become a Sacramental.[10]
