When was sacraments instituted

Through the centuries the way we have celebrated the sacrament and understood its meaning has undergone many changes. It is almost universally accepted as a celebration of the Spirit within us and a time for affirming our Baptism. Yet different schools of thought exist concerning its meaning, its purpose, and the age at which it is to be celebrated.

In the early Church the three Sacraments of initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist—were celebrated in the same ceremony by adult catechumens at the Easter Vigil. The catechumens descended into a pool where they were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

They ascended, were clothed with a white robe, and the bishop laid hands on them and anointed them with oil. They then proceeded to a place of honor among the community where they participated in the Eucharist for the first time.

Initiation thus consisted of one event with several moments. The climax was the celebration of the Eucharist. Christianity also spread from the cities into the countryside. It became impossible for bishops, who were now also involved in governing, to preside at every Baptism. The bishops of the East solved the problem by delegating the Sacraments of Initiation to the presbyter, reserving for themselves only the blessing of the oil used in the rite.

To this day the Eastern churches initiate with all three sacraments at once. The bishops of the West also delegated Baptism to priests, but retained the function of performing the initial anointing and laying on of hands.

This they would do whenever they visited a particular locality. Confirmation: through the laying on of hands, anointing with chrism oil , and prayer a person's baptism is confirmed completion of baptismal grace and is strengthened by the Holy Spirit to publically profess the faith and live up to the role of Christ's apostle. Holy Orders: the sacrament of Apostolic Ministry by which the mission entrusted to the Apostles by Jesus Christ continues to be exercised in His Church.

This sacrament confers on a man the power of consecrating the offering of the Body and Blood of Christ and of remitting and retaining sins. Matrimony: the sacramental binding covenant between a baptized man and woman in which they agree to eternal fidelity to each other and commit to being God's partners in the creation of new life. Anointing of the sick: the sacrament in which the sick are anointed with holy oil and given the spiritual aid and strength to return to spiritual and bodily health, including, if needed, the remission of sins.

Eucharist: the sacrament in which the faithful, in a state of grace, receive the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ who is really and substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine. It is called the Eucharist, meaning "the thanksgiving," because at its institution at the Last Supper Jesus "gave thanks;" and it is by this fact that the sacrament is the supreme act of the baptized Christian's gratitude to God.

Jesus instituted the sacraments to build up the Church, His Mystical Body. Jesus instituted the sacraments to render worship to God. Jesus instituted the sacraments to instruct. Search Submit Clear. Login Username. Remember Me. Forgot Password. About Us. About Us Overview. Our History. Our Team.