Sacraments

The word "sacrament" comes from a Latin translation of the Greek "mysterion" or mystery, which refers to the mystery of God's salvation coming to us in visible form. Please browse the links on the right for information on how to receive the sacraments at Holy Family.

For those who are old enough to recall the Baltimore Catechism, the classic definition of a Sacrament is that it is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give Grace. And why is Grace important? It is needed for salvation.

The Baltimore Catechism was indirectly a product of the Council of Trent, the 16th-century version of Vatican II. To counter the Protestant Reformation, Trent published a manual of Catholic teaching called the Roman Catechism. Written in Latin (the word catechismus meant "oral teaching") it was used by clergy to instruct the faithful. In 1884 the bishops of the United States, gathered in Baltimore, decided to publish an English version for use by American schoolchildren. The first Baltimore Catechism, published in 1891, contained 100 questions. The 1941 edition can be viewed at http://www.catholic.net.