A sacrament is an outward efficacious sign instituted by Christ, that bestows upon all creation His transforming Grace. Jesus Christ himself is THE sacrament, as He gave His life to save all humanity. Our Lord’s incarnation and human nature is the outward sign or the instrument of His Divinity. It is through His humanity that the life of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit come to us as Grace through the sacraments. It is Jesus Christ alone who mediates the sacraments which allows His abundant grace to flow into Holy Mother Church and all His faithful.

The word sacrament is a direct translation of the Greek word mysterion. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The three Sacraments of Christian Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. The two Sacraments of Healing are Penance and the Anointing of the Sick, and the two Sacraments of Vocation are Holy Orders and Matrimony. Three Sacraments, Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders, are given once, as they render a permanent seal or character upon one's soul (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Ephesians 4:30, Revelations 7:3).

Each Sacrament consists of a visible external rite, which is composed of matter and form, the matter being the action, such as the pouring of water, and the form being the words spoken by the minister. Each sacramental rite confers a special ecclesial effect and sacramental grace appropriate for each Sacrament. The Sacraments occur at pivotal events and give meaning to a person's life.

The Sacrament of Baptism is often called, "The door of the Church," because it is the first of the seven sacraments not only in time, but in priority since the reception of the other sacraments depends on it. It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The Sacrament of Baptism is typically performed on infants shortly after birth until 6 years of age. It is through the Sacrament of Baptism, that we are freed from original sin and begin our lifelong journey as disciples of Jesus Christ and members of the Catholic Church. Baptisms are held throughout the year in English on the first Saturday of each month at 10am and in Spanish on the second Saturday of each month at 10am. There are up to 10 children baptized during the same service. The registration fee per child is $50. A baptism class is required; please call the office for more information at 210-227-1297.

As children reach the age of reason, generally around age seven, the Church extends to them an invitation to celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist. First Holy Communion, as it is more widely known, is a person’s first reception of the Body and Blood of Christ. Roman Catholics recognize the importance of this event because the Eucharist is the central focus of the sacramental life of the Catholic Church.  A child, baptized as an infant into the family of God, now takes a place at the Lord’s table. This sacrament is the second of the Sacraments of Initiation and is a momentous event for the child, the family, and the parish community as a whole. 

Jesus Christ gave His Apostles the power to forgive sins. The Sacrament is also known as the Sacrament of Conversion, Forgiveness, Penance, or Reconciliation.

The sacrament involves three steps: the penitent's contrition or sorrow for his sins, the actual confession to a priest and absolution, and then penance or restitution for your sins. The experience leads one to an interior conversion of the heart. Jesus describes the process of conversion and penance in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24).

The penitent confesses his sins to the priest in the confessional, and the priest then gives absolution to the repentant soul, making the Sign of the Cross, and saying the words " I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." It is Christ Jesus through the priest who forgives your sins. As the penitent must make restitution or satisfaction for his sins, the priest gives a penance to the forgiven one, usually prayer, fasting, or almsgiving (1 Peter 4:8).

Confession gives one a wonderful sense of freedom and peace from the burden of sin. Sorrow, affliction, and a desire for conversion follow the remorse of sin in those with a contrite heart. Some believe we can confess our sins privately to God. However, in this Sacrament of Healing we can be assured of God’s mercy, love and forgiveness made truly present in the absolution of our sins. Moreover, humans are social beings and the humbling experience of unburdening your soul to someone, of exposing your weak nature, and then being accepted for who you are and what you have done by having your sins forgiven brings one an incredible sense of relief! The experience brings a sense of gratitude to our generous Lord for his love, compassion and mercy.

As one is to be in the state of grace before receiving Holy Communion, the child makes his first Confession before his first Communion, generally at the age of reason. Here are three Scriptural references on Penance— Matthew 16:18-19, Luke 24:46-47, Acts 2:38.

Confirmation is the sacrament of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit whom Christ Jesus sent (John 16:7). Jesus instructed His Apostles that they "will receive the power of the Holy Spirit" and called upon the Apostles to be His "witnesses to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). At the Pentecost, the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4), and began to spread the Word of God. The Acts of the Apostles is often called the Gospel of the Holy Spirit.

The Rite of Confirmation consists of anointing the forehead with chrism and laying hands upon each candidate with the words, "Be sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit." Those being confirmed receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2-3). The Sacrament of Confirmation is the 3rd and last of the Sacraments of Initiation.

It is said that those who have been confirmed are now Soldiers for Christ.

Congratulations on being called to the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony! We hope these next few months will be a time of growth for you as a couple as you prepare to ask our Lord to join you together as husband and wife. Please call San Fernando Cathedral for information regarding date availability and to begin the Wedding Packet process. Weddings are held weekdays at 3pm and on Saturdays at 12, 3 and 7. Call Ruth Hernandez at 210-227-1297, ext 132. We look forward to hearing from you to help you plan and prepare your wedding liturgy.

Anointing of the Sick is the Sacrament given to ailing Christians, and the special graces received unite the sick person to the passion of Christ. The Sacrament consists of the anointing of the forehand and hands of the patient with blessed oil, with the priest saying, "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."

The ecclesial effect of this sacrament, once called Extreme Unction, is incorporation into the healing Body of Christ, with a spiritual healing of the soul, and at times healing of the body. The sacramental grace helps us to accept sickness as a purifying cross sent by God, and the grace even to accept death if that is God's will.

Jesus healed the blind and the sick, as well as commissioned His Apostles to do so. If you are in need of this sacrament, please call Marcela Szinnyey at 210-227-1297, ext. 129 for scheduling.

From the moment of Jesus' conception in the womb of Mary until his Resurrection, he was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In biblical language, he was anointed by the Holy Spirit and thus established by God the Father as our high priest. As Risen Lord, he remains our high priest. . . . While all the baptized share in Christ's priesthood, the ministerial priesthood shares this through the Sacrament of Holy Orders in a special way. Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest.  Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God's call using the words of the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8).  This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.