Sacraments & Guidelines

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What are the Sacraments?

The Sacraments are central to Catholic life, through which we encounter God in a real way. They are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ, through which God dispenses sanctifying grace to us.

Click on each icon to learn more.

Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.

– CCC 1213

Confirmation

By this sacrament the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.

– CCC 1285

Eucharist

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life…it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior.

– CCC 1324, 1330

Sacraments of Healing

Reconciliation

Those who approach the sacrament obtain pardon from God’s mercy and are at the same time reconciled with the Church.

– CCC 1422

Anointing of the Sick

By the sacred anointing of the sick and prayer of the priests the whole Church commends the ill to the suffering and gloried Lord.

– CCC 1499

Sacraments at the Service of Communion

Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church.

– CCC 1536

Matrimony

The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish a partnership of the whole life…has been raised by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament.

– CCC 1601

Reencounter the Eucharist

Created by The Veil Removed Inc, this new short film will help you reencounter the Source and Summit of our Catholic Faith

Parish Sacramental Preparation Guidelines

We welcome and invite individuals to celebrate the Sacraments! If you, or someone you know, would like to prepare for and receive any of the Sacraments,  please first contact your local Parish.

Immediate preparation for the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), infant Baptism, 1st Eucharist & Reconciliation, and Adolescent Confirmation occur at the parish level. Additionally, various parishes offer their own adult confirmation and marriage preparation.

While the Office of Faith Formation does offer Adult Confirmation and Marriage Preparation programs, individuals must first contact their local Parish and meet with the Pastor in order to register. 

Promulgated by Bishop Edgar M da Cunha in 2016 for the Diocese of Fall River, the Diocesan Sacramental Guidelines provide parameters and guidance for sacramental preparation at Catholic parishes within this Diocese in regards to:

  • The RCIA
  • Infant Baptism
  • 1st Eucharist & Reconciliation
  • Adult & Adolescent Confirmation

For information on Marriage Preparation, click here.
For information on Holy Orders and Vocation, click here.