For each sacrament, “Spirit and Life” provides its readers with a scriptural passage and explanatory paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; a historical commentary on that particular sacrament written by a church father or a pope; and a reflection penned by a contemporary Catholic.
Sacraments are communal and it is appropriate they are celebrated in a gathered community.
The Church believes Christ instituted this sacrament especially to strengthen us when we are being tried by illness.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a new book of Pope Francis’ teachings on the history of the devil, “his empty promises and works” and “how we can actively combat him.”
There are few topics more important to Catholic life than sacraments, and these three books are all intended to help explore this underexamined area of our faith.
For all such people who received sacraments from priests or bishops who were laicized, apostasized (gone over to another faith) or embraced a schismatic faith, take comfort and know that you do not need to be re-baptized, re-confirmed, re-ordained or exchange your marriage promises again.
Baptism leads us to the threshold of new life and is the source of this new life in Christ.
Ahead of this annual blessing ritual comes the publication of a new book titled “The Order of Blessing the Oil of Catechumens and of the Sick and of Consecrating the Chrism” by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
