Sacrament

s of
Initiation
LITURGY AND SACRAMENTS
 INTRODUC
TION
Initiation is a rite of passage marking
entrance or acceptance into a group or
society. There are actually rites when
someone is to be initiated or welcomed in
a particular organization, group, society, or
denomination.

In the Catholic faith, we also have initiation

rites for our newly members of the faith.
We call these rites Sacraments of Initiation.
 INTRODUC
TION
This module presents the Sacraments of
Initiation, which are the Sacraments of
Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist,
that contain the nature, necessity, effects,
minister, matter and form of the
sacraments. It will give a broader
understanding for students as to how the
Mass has become the highest form of
prayer and shed light to each part of the
Eucharistic celebration.
 CONTENT STANDARD
The learners demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the sacraments
of initiation in the Christian life and how they sanctify the faithful; the effects of the
sacraments of healing and the necessity in our spiritual life; and the mission of the
Church through the sacraments at the service of communion.
 PERFORMANCE STANDARD
The learner should be able to make a short presentation of their baptism,
confirmation, and first communion; relate the importance of each
sacrament to their daily life; and create an infographic of the sacraments
as to how they can be easily understood.
 At the end of the discussion, students will be able to:

• Understand that
• Be able to realize
what is the nature
the sanctifying grace
and importance of
of the Eucharist to the
the Baptism and
life of every Christian.
Confirmation

• Understand that the LEARNI • Pray that the Holy

Spirit may enlighten
Celebration of Holy
Eucharist is the NG their minds and
highest form of COMPETEN hearts and be able to
prayer. use His gifts in
CIES
sharing Christ’s
mission.
• Be able to realize
the effects of • Pray that we may be
Baptism and be able able to attend the
to recognize through Holy Eucharist with a
the help of the Holy full and active
Spirit participation.
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE

Doctrine:
Baptism is the first sacrament a
Christian receives and the sacrament
of Confirmation makes Christians
strong, perfect and soldiers of Christ.
The Holy Eucharist is at the heart of the
liturgy and is the source and summit of
the Christian life.
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
Moral:
As Catholics being baptized, we are
called to witness our identity as
Christians and defend our faith by
words and deeds through
Confirmation. As Catholic, we are
called to be filled with the grace
received in the Eucharist, a union with
Christ, the Church, and with all
Christians.
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
Worship:
Give highest praise and thanks to God,
who by and through Jesus Christ has
established the sacraments to bestow
graces in order for Christians to share
Christ’s mission and attain salvation.
Pray that in joining the Eucharistic
celebration, may it be physical or
virtual, we may have a full and active
participation.
Learning Output

Gratitude Prayer
Time Duration

8 hours
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
1. Nature and Institution
1.1. Definition
Baptism is a sacrament instituted by Christ, in which,
through the washing with water and by invoking the three
divine Persons, the spiritual regeneration of humanity is
achieved. It is “the washing of regeneration and renewal
by the Holy Spirit.” (CCC 1215)
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
1. Nature and Institution
1.2. Name
Baptism comes from the Greek word baptizein which
means “to plunge”, “to immerse”, “to bathe”, or “to wash.”
Through immersion, the person is symbolically buried in
death of Christ, and resurrected with him as “new
creature” (Belmonte,1993)
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
1. Nature and Institution

1.3. Institution
According to the Council of Trent, the sacraments as
well as with the other Sacraments, is a truth of faith.
There are many opinions that tell the very moment of its
institution.
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
1. Nature and Institution

Some are:
- Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River (Mt. 3:13-17)
- After his Resurrection when he commanded the
apostles to go all the ends of the earth and baptize all
people (Mk.16:16)
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
1. Nature and Institution
1.4. Baptism in the Church
After Pentecost, the Church follows the ministering of the
sacrament as what Jesus did. Baptism always appear united to the
profession of faith. Through Baptism, the baptized person shares in
Christ’s death, is buried, and is resurrected with him. Those who have
been baptized have “clothed themselves with Christ.”
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
2. Matter and Form

2.1. Remote Matter (It refers to object or thing to be used

in order for a sacrament be valid.)

The remote matter of Baptism is true and natural

water.
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
2. Matter and Form

2.2. Proximate Matter (It refers to the manner or method

on how the remote matter is being used.)

The proximate matter of Baptism is the ablution

performed with water.
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
2. Matter and Form
3 Forms of Ablution
1. Immersion - the act of triple submerging the person in the
water
2. Affusion - the act of pouring the water three times over the
candidate’s head (cf. CCC 1239)
3. Aspersion - the act of sprinkling the water over the
catechumen’s head
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
2. Matter and Form

2.3. Form (It refers to the accompanying words that declare the
special meaning of the external action or gesture.)

The Form of Baptism is the words: “(Name), I baptize you

in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
3. Minister

The ordinary minister of Baptism are

the bishop, priest or deacon.
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
4. Necessity
Baptism is a necessary means for eternal
salvation (Belmonte, 1993). As Jesus had said,
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of
water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom
of God.” (Jn. 3:5)
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
4. Necessity
However, with the infusion of sanctifying grace and forgiveness of sins, “Baptism of
water” may be replaced by:
- Baptism by Blood- or martyrdom, ¬which means death for the sake of Jesus
Christ (Stay with Us Lord, p.111)
- Baptism by desire- an act of love of God united to the desire- even implicit- of
receiving the Baptism. This means people who have lived good life and have desire for
the sacrament, but never received Baptism in itself in whatever circumstances which
are not their fault, he/she is baptized by desire.
 A. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
5. Effects
Baptism produces these effects:
• sanctifying grace
• forgiveness of all sins- original and personal, mortal and venial
• remission of all punishment due to sin
• indelible character/ Baptismal character
• sacramental grace
• incorporation to the Church
B. SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament
of Confirmation together constitute the
"sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity
must be safeguarded. It must be explained to
the faithful that the reception of the sacrament
of Confirmation is necessary for the completion
of baptismal grace. For "by the sacrament of
Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly
bound to the Church and are enriched with a
special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they
are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly
obliged to spread and defend the faith by word
and deed." (CCC 1285)
B. SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is the
sacrament instituted by Christ in
which the baptized, through the
laying of hands and the
anointing with chrism, together
with some sacred words, receive
the holy spirit to publicly
confess the faith with fortitude,
by word and deed.
B. SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
The effects of Confirmation are:
a. Increase of sanctifying grace
Through the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
1. Fortitude
2. Counsel
3. Wisdom
4. Understanding
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord
b. Sacramental Grace
c. Character

In Confirmation, we become miles Christi (Soldier

of Christ).
B. SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Necessity of Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation is not
necessary as a means of salvation - “the
faithful are obliged to receive the
sacrament at the appropriate time.”

Minister of the Sacrament

The ordinary minister of the
sacrament of confirmation is the Local
Ordinary (Bishop) of the Arch/Diocese.
Priests are delegated to be extraordinary
ministers to help the bishop or in absence
of the bishop.
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
1.What is the Sacrament of the Eucharist?
The sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, always referred to as the “Holy Mass”,
is “the very sacrifice of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus, which he
instituted to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until his
return in glory” (CCCC, #271). Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Holy
Eucharist on the night he was betrayed by Judas, during the last supper. This
can be seen in the three synoptic gospels (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24;
Luke 22:19-20). The Holy Eucharist, as how it was defined by the Church, is the
source, center, and summit of the Christian life. (Garneau,1991)
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
a. Source – The Eucharist is the source since it is the primary source of our
life and the life of the Church.
b. Center – Every Christian has the Eucharist as the core of his faith. The
Church’s life focuses, too, in the Eucharist as it is the sacramental presence
of Christ in the world.
c. Summit – Our Christian life and of the life of the Church aims the highest
form of prayer. The Eucharist enables us to aim high for holiness through
our participation in the celebration of the Mass and through our acceptance
of the body and blood of Christ.
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
According to the Encyclical Letter of John Paul II,
Ecclesia de Eucharistia, the Church was born of the
Paschal mystery. For this reason, the Eucharist, which
is in an outstanding way the sacrament of the Paschal
Mystery, stands at the center of the Church’s life.
(Basille & Huggard, 2013)
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
The only celebrant of the Celebration of the Holy
Eucharist is no other than a valid priest (bishop) in the
Catholic Church. Though all the faithful partake in the
priestly ministry of Christ, we only share in the
common priesthood and not in the ministerial
priesthood.
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
The Holy Eucharist is not just the celebration of the Mass, but
the Body and Blood of Christ. This is why whenever we visit a
church or a chapel where the tabernacle is present with a
candle/light is lit, we must give prover reverence because the
sacrament is present inside of it. Attending the Celebration of
the Holy Eucharist is not just an act of faith but an obligation to
God. We are not OBLIGED to attend the Mass because it is,
first and foremost, our OBLIGATION.
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
2. What are the parts of the Celebration of the Eucharist?
The Holy Eucharist is divided into two major parts – the Liturgy
of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The two minor parts of
the celebration happen before the Liturgy of the Word and after the
Liturgy of the Eucharist – the Introductory Rites and the Concluding
Rites. In this celebration, the Eucharist unites the heaven and the
earth as it brings up our praise and worship to God and God sends
down the heavenly blessings for us.
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
a. Introductory Rites – This begins the celebration of the
Eucharist Sign of the Cross and the greeting of the priest (the
Lord be with you) followed by the penitential rite where we
come to mind our sinfulness and ask the Lord for pardon and
strength. The Gloria or the “Glory to God” is sang or recited
after the penitential rite. The last part of the introductory rites
is the opening prayer.
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
b. Liturgy of the Word – This part is concerned with the proclamation of the
Word of God and the exhortation/homily given by the presider. This includes the
First Reading (from the Old Testament, but in some occasions, especially
Easter, readings come from the Acts of the Apostles) followed by the
Responsorial Psalm, and during Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, there is a
Second Reading Coming from the New Testament, specifically from the
Catholic Epistles or Pauline Epistles. The singing of the Alleluia is made before
the priest reads the Gospel. A homily is given to the people to deepen their
understanding of the Gospel and the readings related to their life and current
situation and as to how one can live a holy life.
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
The Credo or profession of faith is recited after the homily during
Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. The Credo reminds the
faithful of the faith of the Catholic Church summarized by the
Fathers of the Church either Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed).
The last part of the Liturgy of the Word is the General
Intercession where prayers for the Pope, the Church, the leaders,
the faithful, the sick, and the dead are raised by the people to
God.
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
c. Liturgy of the Eucharist – This part consists of the preparation
of the Altar and the gifts (offerings for God), the prayer over the
Gift, the Preface, and the Eucharistic Prayer. The last part of the
liturgy of the Eucharist is the Communion Rite where people sing
the Lord’s Prayer, giving of the Sign of Peace, singing or reciting
the Agnus Dei (lamb of God) and the Breaking of the Bread
(giving of the Body of Christ to the faithful) and the prayer after
communion.
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
d. The Concluding Rites – the concluding rites speaks
of the sending forth of the faithful, “The Mass has
ended, go in peace and serve the Lord!”. This speaks
of the missionary part of the faithful, to become
bearers of peace and proclaimers of the Word of God
by words and actions.
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
3. How do the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ?
Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in a unique and incomparable way. He is
present in a true, real and substantial way, with his Body and his Blood, with his
Soul and his Divinity. In the Eucharist, therefore, there is present in a
sacramental way, that is, under the Eucharistic species of bread and wine,
Christ whole and entire, God and Man. (CCCC, #282). Thus, every piece of the
Body of Christ we receive, may it be half, a quarter, or whole, is still the entire
Body of Christ – up to the point of the bread’s crumbs. That is why we need to
take care when receiving the Body of Christ, make sure that there is no little
piece or crumb left in our hand.
 C. SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
In the consecration part of the Mass, the transubstantiation happens in
a unique and particular way only in the Eucharist. Transubstantiation is
the change of the whole substance of bread into the substance of the
Body of Christ and of the whole substance of wine into the whole
substance of His Blood. This change is brought about in the Eucharistic
prayer through the efficacy of the word of Christ and by the action of the
Holy Spirit. However, the outward characteristics of bread and wine, that
is, the “Eucharistic species”, remain unaltered. (CCCC, #283)
 Check Your Understanding
Due to unprecedented spread of COVID-19,
one of the safety measures we need to follow
is to wash our hands. What do you think is
the common relation of washing of our hands
in washing ourselves by and through the
Sacrament of Baptism? What do you think is
the message of God to our situation in
relation to the Sacrament of Baptism?
 Reflection
How do you welcome a
person coming into your
life?
 Application
Compose a gratitude prayer to the
priest who baptized and
confirmed you. Also, for the
priests who are celebrating the
Holy Eucharist in the masses we
always attend to.
References:

1. Belmonte, Charles. (2006). Faith

Seeking Understanding. Mandaluyong:
Studium Theologiae Foundation, Inc.
2. Catholic Church. (1994). Catechism of
the Catholic Church. Vatican City: Libreria
Editrice Vaticana
3. Basile, A., & Huggard, T. (2013). The
Catholic Life: A Simple Catechism. Makati
City: ST PAULS.
4. Garneau, Jean-Yves. (1991).
Discovering the Eucharist according to a Ritual
Approach. Makati City: ST PAULS.