sacramentsrecruits on the hand or forearm with an abbreviation of the name of the
general. Within the context of baptism, it signifies that the initiate belongs
to Christ. It is not merely a sign of ownership by Christ because it is also
a guarantee of the protection of the shepherd, which enables one to repel
demons. Moreover, the sign of the cross imprints on the soul the image
of God.
It is believed that after baptism something is still lacking, and it is
identified with perfection which consists in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Since the Holy Spirit is already given in baptism, a new outpouring of the
spirit takes place with confirmation, which involves being anointed with
perfumed oil and sharing in the anointing of Christ by the Holy Spirit
after baptism. Confirmation represents the development of faith into
knowledge. If one is an infant at baptism, when one is confirmed one
becomes an adult member of the church. Confirmation can be grasped as
a strengthening of one’s spiritual life.
At the heart of the entire sacramental system of the Catholic Church is
the Eucharist rite that consists of a threefold structure: a preparation
called offertory, sacrifice, and distribution of the consecrated elements at
the communion. The altar for the sacrifice symbolizes the body of Christ.
After preparation of the offerings, there is the washing of the hands and
kiss of peace. The former signifies that one should be pure of all sin, and
the kiss is a sign of peace. The sacrifice is introduced by the priest saying
“Sursum corda,” which means a person should stand in the presence of
God with fear and trembling and that one is no longer on earth but is
transported to heaven. After the priest consecrates the bread and wine,
they become the body and blood of Christ. By eating the sacramental
bread, a person becomes immortal. Overall, the mass is a sacramental
representation of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and a sacramental
participation in the heavenly liturgy.
Although it is not an exact translation of the English sacrament, the
Sanskrit term is samÛskāra, a notion related to verbs meaning composing,
making perfect, or preparing correctly. There are sixteen widely accepted
rites, although some authorities have more, beginning with conception
and ending with death. Each samÛskāra is a ritual action that transforms
the person, and it removes defects from a person’s body. For young
children, parents often combine the rites for reasons of economy and
convenience.
The primary sacraments today are initiation, marriage, and death.
Details of the marriage ceremony differ, for instance, according to vari-
ous religious authorities and they manifest regional differences as well.
A highlight of the wedding occurs when the bride steps with her right foot
on a millstone, a symbol of firmness, to the north of the sacred fire. This