Research Paper On The Sacraments

The sacraments of the Catholic Church have many different effects. They can invite someone into the community of the church, and later make them a political leader of the Church. Or they can physically, mentally, or spiritually heal someone, preparing them for the time when they ultimately die and meet God. These sacraments, known as the sacraments of healing are the most important sacraments to the church. The Eucharist, Reconciliation, and the Anointing of the Sick, all heal us, and strengthen our lives with Christ. These sacraments are not only traditions which have been in place since during, or even before Christ was born, but they are also efficacious signs of God's grace, and they are done directly in ordinance with Jesus's teaching,

Throughout his life he did many acts of healing and miracles. Jesus raised the dead, performed exorcisms, and even healed paralytics. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit came to the apostles and sent them to heal like Jesus did. In the early Church the sacrament was mostly done for the sick. During the Middle Ages, many people were dying from either war or disease, so the focus of the sacrament shifted to tending to the dying. Vatican Two confirmed that the sacrament can be administered for both the sick and dying. It is also seen as the completion of baptism, the first sacrament a Catholic

The oil and sacrament give courage and spiritual strength to the dying for the journey ahead. Converting them from self centered beings, to God centered beings. The journey from life to death can be very stressful, and this sacrament is very important to Catholics, because it helps for the journey to the kingdom of God. The anointing can also heal physically and mentally. The sick who receive the sacrament feel stronger, and more accepting that it is the end. On some occasions the sacrament can even make miracles happen. Anointing of the Sick also unites the person's suffering with Jesus's suffering on the cross, and uses it to in a way help the Church. Christ and God do the healing in the Anointing of the Sick, and he is unified with our suffering. The sacrament is directly drawn from Christ's ministry. When the person receiving the sacrament is suffering his suffering is united with Christ's ultimate sacrifice, making the recipient feel holy, and fortified for their journey to the Kingdom of God ahead of them. If their suffering is not united with Christ it is just suffering but thanks to the unification there is holiness. Many people fear death, even though they know God and all the Church are waiting for them in