Our Lady of Sorrows offers a variety of opportunities throughout the liturgical year for the celebration of the sacraments of the Church. Gathering as one church, we experience baptisms, marriages, confirmation, reconciliation, anointing of the sick among us, and finally, the sacrament of the Eucharist that binds us to Christ, one another and the global Church.
Jesus touches our lives through the sacraments. Our celebrations of the sacraments are efficacious signs of Jesus’ presence in our lives and a means for receiving His grace. Each sacrament confers special graces on those who receive them. The Church celebrates seven sacraments, which are divided into three categories. To learn more about the sacraments, please click here and then click sacraments. (https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM)
These sacraments lay the foundation of every Christian life.
Baptism
In Baptism we receive new life in Christ. Baptism takes away original sin and gives us a new birth in the Holy Spirit. Its sign is the pouring of water.
Confirmation
Confirmation seals our life of faith in Jesus. It involves the laying on of hands on a person’s head, most often by a bishop, and the anointing with oil. Like Baptism, Confirmation is received only once. We are strengthened as soldiers of Christ, active witnesses of Jesus Christ in His ministries just as the apostles after pentecost.
Eucharist
The Eucharist nourishes our life of faith and it is the summit and fountain of our Christian life. The matter of this sacrament are bread and wine which after transubstantiation become the true Body and Blood of Christ. This sacrament was instituted by Jesus on at the Lord's Supper (Holy Thursday).
These sacraments celebrate the healing power of Jesus.
Penance
Through Penance we receive God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness requires being sorry for our sins. In Penance we receive Jesus’ healing grace through absolution by the priest. This sacrament involves verbal confession of our sins and the words of absolution from the priest, I absolve you from your sins...
Anointing of the Sick
This sacrament unites a sick person’s suffering with that of Jesus and brings forgiveness of sins. Oil, a symbol of strength, is the matter of this sacrament. A person is anointed with oil and receives the laying on of hands from a priest.
These sacraments help members serve God and the Church community.
Matrimony
In Matrimony a baptized man and woman are united with each other as a sign of the unity and love between Jesus and his Church. Matrimony requires the consent of the couple, as expressed in the marriage promises.
Holy Orders
In Holy Orders men are ordained as priests, deacons, or bishops. Priests serve as spiritual leaders of their communities, and deacons serve to remind us of our baptismal call to help others. Bishops carry on the teachings of the apostles. This sacrament involves the laying on of hands and anointing with oil by the bishop.
Each sacrament requires proper disposition and preparation. Our sacramental preparation programs are a two year program. We ask people seeking the Sacrament of First Communion, Confirmation, or Full Initiation, to be a registered members of the parish. We ask that anyone seeking sacraments to attend Mass weekly, and on Holy days of obligation, attend faith formation during that year, and then continue in the second year. In the spring of the second year, evaluation of the Sacramental preparation will be discussed and the Sacrament being sought will be scheduled. Please check on the left (this same page) under each sacrament to learn more and you can always email or call the office with any questions.