The Catholic Church recognizes the existence of Seven Sacraments instituted by the Lord.
In Baptism we receive sanctifying grace and also a continuing chain of graces enabling us to preserve and extend that grace by the practice of the virtues of faith, hope, and charity. The Holy Spirit is first introduced to a Catholic at Baptism. Jesus instituted the sacrament of Baptism to apply to each individual soul the atonement which He made on the Cross for original sin. The impression of the baptismal character upon the soul makes us members of the Church and imposes upon us an obligation to discharge the duties that go with our membership in Christ’s Church. This means to:
Infant Baptism is for children from birth to age 7. Requirements for Parents: 1. At least one parent must be Catholic; 2. Parents must be registered parishioners at Our Lady of the Snows; 3. All first-time parents (baptizing their first child) and new parishioner parents must participate in our pre-baptism formation program prior to having your child baptized.
Requirements for Godparents:
1. At least one godparent is required. This person must be at least 16 years old and a confirmed Catholic who lives their faith and is willing to accept the responsibility of supporting their godchild in the Catholic faith.
2. If there are two godparents, one must be male and one must be female.
Children ages seven and older and adults, who have not been baptized, are eligible to join the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program which will prepare them for full initiation into the Catholic Church.
Confirmation increases our basic vitality (sanctifying grace) and also establishes a permanent fund of actual graces (sacramental grace) upon which we may draw in order to be strong and active and productive exemplars of Christian living. During Confirmation, God the Holy Spirit comes upon the person, accompanied by God the Father and God the Son. This sacrament is called Confirmation, because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong. Confirmation means accepting responsibility for your faith and destiny. The Catechism’s section on Confirmation says that Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Its effects are to:
One year preparatory period is required. For requirements for Youth Confirmation (high school freshman, sophomores and juniors) see Diocese of Yakima Confirmation Guidelines.
Adults are eligible to join the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program which will prepare them for full initiation into the Catholic Church.
The Holy Eucharist’s special sacramental grace is growth in supernatural charity (love for God and neighbor).
The special sacramental grace of Reconciliation is to cure us of the spiritual illness of sin and to help us resist temptation. For those who have already received their first reconciliation, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered:
The Anointing of the Sick strengthens us in sickness or prepares us to meet death with confidence. Its sacramental grace comforts us in our sufferings and, by supporting us in any final temptations that may assail us, enables us to face eternity unafraid.
As the Catechism’s section on Holy Orders says: this “is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees”—the orders of bishop, priest, and deacon. (Catechism, 1536).
“The deepest reason is found in the fidelity of God to his covenant, in that of Christ to his Church. Through the sacrament of Matrimony the spouses are enabled to represent this fidelity and witness to it. Through the sacrament, the indissolubility of marriage receives a new and deeper meaning.” (Catechism, 1647).
For in depth information on the Sacraments see: Code of Cannon Law: Book IV – Function of the Church: Part I – The Sacraments