What are the Sacraments?
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 OCIA (Order 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 Secretariat for the New Evangelization does offer Adult Confirmation and Marriage Preparation programs, individuals must first contact their local Parish and meet with the Pastor in order to register.
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 OCIA
- Infant Baptism
- 1st Eucharist & Reconciliation
- Adult & Adolescent Confirmation
For information on Marriage Preparation, click here.
For information on Holy Orders and Vocation, click here.