The celebration of the Sacraments is at the heart of St. Gianna’s parish life. Nothing is more important than the preparation (catechesis) and celebration of these special gifts. Participation in the sacraments brings us closer to the Lord thus strengthening our role as disciples of Jesus Christ.
A brief overview of the Sacraments follows with a complete description under the individual titles:

There are seven Sacraments:

Sacraments of Christian Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist —These Sacraments lay the foundation of every Christian life.

Sacraments of Healing – Penance (Reconciliation/Confession) and the Anointing of the Sick

Sacraments at the Service and Mission of the Faithful—Holy Orders and Matrimony

The Sacraments, instituted by Christ, touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life.  The Sacraments form an organic whole in which each particular Sacrament has its own vital place with the Eucharist occupying a unique place as the “Sacrament of Sacraments.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1210 – 121)

Baptism is always the first Sacrament received and is necessary for the reception of all other Sacraments. In Baptism we are born of water and the Holy Spirit and welcomed into the Catholic Church. Baptism is administered to a person only once.

The Sacraments of Initiation and Service are celebrated with members of the faith community, family, and friends present.

Non-Catholics, whether Baptized in another Christian faith or not Baptized, are invited to participate in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and then receive, after proper catechesis, all the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and Matrimony require catechesis/preparation before reception and are administered only once.

Eucharist and Penance, require catechesis/preparation before first reception and are then received regularly.

For information concerning preparation for reception of the sacraments of Confirmation, Eucharist, and first Penance (Reconciliation), please contact the Religious Education office at 609-484-0249.

For information concerning preparation for reception of Baptism, Matrimony, Holy Orders or for scheduling a priest for the Anointing of the Sick, please call the parish office at 609-646-5611.

NOTE: All information contained in the section that describes each of the seven sacraments is taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). Each paragraph is preceded with it’s paragraph number from the CCC.