The Sacraments

This course leads students toward a deeper understanding of the liturgy and of the Sacraments, instituted by Christ and given to us through the Church. The course first explores terms and concepts necessary to study the Sacraments. The seven Sacraments are then considered in their appropriate groupings: the Sacraments of Initiation, with a special emphasis on the Eucharist as "source and summit" of the Christian life; the Sacraments of Healing; and the Sacraments at the Service of Communion. A recurring theme of the course is the importance of the Sacraments both for the life of the Church and the life of the Christian as well as the intimate relationship between Sacrament and covenant.

Unit 1: A Liturgical Community
This unit enables the study of the sacraments by providing subject-area vocabulary, especially with regard to the layout of a church building and the various sacramentals and instruments used in the celebration of the sacraments.

Unit 2: Introduction to Sacramental Theology
This unit examines basic concepts of sacramental theology by analyzing the definition of a sacrament.

Unit 3: The Sacraments of Initiation
This unit considers two of the sacraments that bring one into the Church: Baptism and Confirmation.

Unit 4: The Mass
This unit focuses on the Mass as the “source and summit of the Christian life” in which we encounter Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist.

Unit 5: The Sacraments of Healing
This unit considers the sacraments that bring spiritual healing, Confession and Anointing of the Sick.

Unit 6: The Sacraments at the Service of Communion
This unit examines the two sacraments that build up the Church, Matrimony and Holy Orders.