Questions tagged [sacraments]
Sacred rites, especially those of the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
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Has the age of Confirmation Catholics changed since Vatican I?
There's some movement to a "restored" order for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation, but with some sort of assumption that it should be received as early as age seven.
I was ...
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Great commission applies to all believers, but the laity does not baptize. Why?
I just noticed that while we are told that the great commission applies to all believers in the sense that we are to share the gospel, we don't normally baptize those we help believe. Instead, we ...
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When only one species is validly consecrated, does the Sacrifice of the Mass take place?
The situation
According to Catholicism, during the Consecration, if for some reason, the priest consecrated only one of the species validly, would that configure an imperfect Sacrifice or the ...
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Is Reconciliation the most powerful sacrament for Catholics?
Baptism is the gateway to all other sacraments and it forgives all sins, but it can only be performed once in a lifetime. The Eucharist is the source and summit of Catholic faith, but only forgives ...
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Isn't churches charging for weddings simony?
My question is essentially identical to the one in the Reddit post "Simony and wedding fees", which has yielded no satisfactory answer.
Essentially, how are wedding fees charged by a church ...
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Is the absolution from priests still valid if the priest breaks the seal of confession?
Suppose a sinner confesses his sins to a priest, receives absolution, completes the penance, but the priest talks about his confessed sins with others. Is the absolution still valid?
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What is the difference between Baptism and Confirmation in the Catholic Church?
Is there a list of specific differences between what Confirmation is and what Baptism is, and why we need both (especially Baptism) in the Catholic Church?
From an observer, they seem pretty similar. ...
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Who can validly confer the sacrament of confirmation?
(NOTE: I am aware that a similar question has been asked on this site before, but I have first hand experiences which seem to contradict the one answer - at the time this question was asked - to that ...
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What is the earliest reference of the seven sacraments in the Orthodox Church?
In the Roman-Catholic Church, the earliest writings that explicitly mention the seven sacraments come from Peter Lombard’s “Setences”.
I am curious what are the earliest reference in Eastern-Orthodoxy ...
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According to Catholicism, why can unconsummated marriages be dissolved?
What is the philosophical/theological logic for why unconsummated (ratum tantum) sacramental marriages can be dissolved?
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According to Catholicism, Is notional assent sufficient for validity of the Sacrament of Confirmation?
The Cathen article on intention says:
As to the recipients of the sacraments, it is certain that no intention is required in children who have not yet reached the age of reason, or in imbeciles, for ...
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Are there any denominations that do NOT practice "laying on of hands" with the specific goal of having a new believer receive the Holy Ghost?
In my previous question What denominations practice "laying on of hands" so that new converts may receive the Holy Ghost, and what manifestations are usually expected? I asked for examples ...
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What denominations practice "laying on of hands" so that new converts may receive the Holy Ghost, and what manifestations are usually expected?
This question is inspired by examples in the book of Acts:
14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came down and ...
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As a Catholic, can I baptize my own child after he is born?
As a Catholic, can I baptize my own child after he is born? I am about to see my first child be born and was wondering if it would be sinful if I were to baptize him myself after his birth. I am aware ...
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What options does an Anglican have for disposing of very old consecrated elements?
Suppose that I have inherited responsibility for a Church of England ambrey which contains some very old consecrated wafers of bread.
Ordinarily bread and wine once consecrated should be reverently ...
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What sort of latitude is afforded a parish in terms of the bread used in the Eucharist, according to the Catholic Church?
According to the Catholic Church, what sort of latitude is afforded a parish in terms of the bread used in the Eucharist? For example, would it be allowed for a parish to use homemade whole wheat ...
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Can Catholics receive a canonically valid marriage after civil elopement?
Would it be legitimate in the eyes of the Church if two Catholics eloped civilly prior to receiving a Catholic wedding - then later enter in to a canonically valid marriage after the 8 month waiting/...
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Was there any controversy over the validity of sacraments during the Arian Controversy?
During the Arian controversy, were sacraments (especially baptisms and/or ordinations) performed by one side or the other considered invalid by their opponents? Were there any "official" ...
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Where do we find the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the Bible?
Roman Catholics believe in the Sacrament of Holy Orders, which is a sacrament by which men are ordained as priests or deacons . It is a sacrament carried out by a bishop, who must lay his hands on ...
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Why does the Catholic Church consider protestant baptisms valid sacraments, but not protestant marriages?
Inspired by GratefulDisciple's comment under Geremia's answer Multiple marriages and divorces
The Catechism says:
The ordinary ministers of baptism are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, ...
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Why did Luther reject every sacrament except Baptism and Communion?
Upon splitting from the Catholic Church, Luther rejected 5 of the 7 sacraments, including confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing on the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.
Why did he reject these, and ...
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How does Catholic sacramental theology explain the efficacy of the sacraments conducted by a priest who is in the state of mortal sin?
As far as I know, a mass said by a priest who has lost friendship with God (in the state of mortal sin) is valid by the principle of ex opere operato, justified by the resolution of the Donatist ...
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In Catholicism, after receiving absolution from mortal sin, how do we regain the effects of the sacraments of baptism & confirmation?
In Catholicism we are given certain sacramental character and effects after we receive the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation:
Res Et Sacramentum: the abiding purpose, the sacramental character:
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In Catholicism, what happens to the gifts of the Holy Spirit after we committed a mortal sin?
If a baptized and confirmed Catholic commits a mortal sin, what are the effects on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit received in the sacrament of baptism and later intensified (sealed) in the ...
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Are the Orthodox who are in schism with Rome able to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation validly?
Reconciliation is different from the other sacraments in that jurisdiction to celebrate it has a bearing on its validity, according to the Catholic Church. This is why there has been some concern that ...
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Is the Eucharist more holy than the other Sacraments in the Catholic Church?
From a recent New York Times article, (emphasis added):
Some conservatives want to use such a statement as theological justification to deny communion to Mr. Biden and Catholic politicians like him ...
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In Oriental Orthodox sacramental theology can a mixed marriage be valid?
The Armenians and Syriac allow mixed marriages with trinitarian christians. But generally only the orthodox can take sacraments . How is such a mixed marriage valid then?
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In Reformed theology, where are baptism and the Lord's supper in the ordo salutis?
Baptism and the Lord's supper are means of grace in Reformed theology, but yet we don't see it explicitly mentioned in Calvinist ordo salutis.
According to one Reformed pastor writing for the ...
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In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, is it possible to laicize a bishop?
In the Roman Catholic Church, priests are sometimes laicized, either at their own request or as a punishment. It's unclear to me who exactly in the Roman Catholic has the power to laicize a priest, ...
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Do you have any knowledge on a Catholic Internal Forum on Marriage?
The information given to us from the Priest, is that this Ceremony would allow us, with the Grace of God to live together as a married couple, without any fornication sin involved. This was done to ...
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How do Traditional Latin Mass going Catholics usually prepare and receive their sacraments of initiation?
Our parish is starting to off a Traditional Latin Mass and there's a group in our diocese that has their children confirmed in the that form as well. It's quite a bit different, we were wanting to do ...
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Do both officiant and recorder need holy orders to perform a Catholic baptism?
Many Catholic baptismal records from Spanish California (circa 1800) list the same clergyman as officiant and recorder (example), while some records separate the roles (example).
I guess this ...
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If the Sacrament of Confirmation gives the gift of fortitude, why are we still afraid to do the right thing?
If the Sacrament of Confirmation gives all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, including the gift of fortitude, why are we still afraid to do the right thing?
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Under what conditions does the Catholic Church explicitly call the laity extraordinary ministers?
Under what conditions does the Catholic Church explicitly call the laity extraordinary ministers?
Extraordinary ministers are seen in almost every parish. For the most part, they help the parish ...
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Do Roman Catholics regard Orthodox sacraments as valid and/or licit?
In the comments below an earlier question of mine the following question arose:
The Roman Catholic Church describes the administration of sacraments as valid or invalid respectively licit or illicit. ...
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What is the proper term for performing the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on someone?
If you perform the sacrament of Baptism on someone, you are "baptizing" them. If you do the sacrament of Holy Matrimony on a couple, you are "marrying" them, or alternatively "officiating the marriage"...
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Why does the Catholic Church legislate a minimum age for receiving Holy Orders?
Why does the Catholic Church legislate a minimum age for receiving Holy Orders?
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What are the Church Laws governing ingredients and shapes of altar bread in the Catholic Church?
There appears to be perfect uniformity in the texture and make of the Sacramental Bread in Catholic churches all across the world. I wish to know if there are any laws governing the ingredients and ...
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What should one do who was baptised twice in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches?
I just found out my parents baptized me twice as a baby in two Christian Churches: Catholic and Orthodox. I am concerned, is it bad to be baptized twice? What can I do to sort this out?
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Concerning the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Why do the American and Canadian Rites of Initiation differ in numbering and in the way that the rites are sometimes celebrated?
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Who can give the sacrament of confirmation in the Catholic Church?
Out of curiosity, when someone plans to recieve the Sacrament of Confirmation, do they have to recieve this Sacrament from a bishop or cardinal, or can any ordained minister give this Sacrament?
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What is the Justification of a priest acting in persona Christi?
What is the justification used in Catholicism to justify the doctrine of a priest acting in persona Christi?
Scriptural and catechismal references please.
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What is the logic behind the present arrangement of Seven Sacraments?
As per Catholic Catechism, the Seven Sacraments are sequenced in the following order :
Baptism, Confirmation , Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony
But, that is not ...
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Under What Conditions Can a Priest Validly Refuse to Absolve Sins?
Absolution can be withheld, I was wondering under what conditions such an action can be considered to be valid(not licit or illicit), if any are needed at all. Furthermore I want to know if a priest ...
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Which sacraments can an intersex individual receive in the Catholic Church?
Which sacraments can an intersex individual receive in the Catholic Church?
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If God only forgives our sins at the Sacrament of Penance, why do ask forgivness in prayer? [duplicate]
In Catholicism and Orthodoxy, forgiveness of sins is only attained at the Sacrament of Penance. What then is the role to pray that God would forgive us our sins? Why pray Our Father, or ask of this at ...
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What precisely is the sacramental "economy"? In which sense it is an economy?
I have always been puzzled by the use of the word "economy" linked to the sacraments, or in other expressions like "economy of salvation", "economy of creation", Divine "economy" (see full list of its ...
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Would this confession be valid?
If a priest prematurely says the prayer for absolution, is the confession still valid?
Is the confession still valid even when the priest is not wearing his normal vestments? Or if I didn't say the ...
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In Catholicism, why can deacons not celebrate all sacraments, but only Baptism (and Matrimony)?
According to this post by an expert in Canon Law, deacons can only celebrate the sacrament of Baptism and Matrimony.
Similarly, Wikipedia states (apparently wrongly) that deacons can only celebrate ...
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Can an Orthodox Christian of one diocese receive sacraments at a coterminous one, e.g. a Greek Orthodox at an OCA parish?
I'm presently a confirmed Catholic but am considering conversion to the Orthodoxy. Something I understand of it is that there is no single diocese in America, but multiple overlapping ones for ...
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