Rituals and Symbols: The Seven Sacraments
Baptism
Word of God
[1]The Scriptures are always despite the fact if the Baptism is taking place during or outside of the Mass. As the Word of God is being said, Christ himself is present asking us to be His disciples.
Water
[1]The water is poured over the baby (or immerse the baby is the water). This symbolizes cleansing and is a sign that the original sin has been washed away that we all are born with. Water can also symbolize life since it's essential to human life. This shows that we have be blessed to grow and now shall lead a new, spiritual life.
Oils
[1]Oil of Baptism is rubbed of the baby. Oil symbolizes strength and the rubbing the ritual of rubbing the oil symbolizes strengthening for the struggles of life ahead.
Confirmation
Anointing with Oil
[2]The Oil is blessed by the Bishop. The anointing is symbol of being called and strengthened for an important task: go forth in life as a Catholic, as a disciple of Jesus, as a person of the Spirit, with confidence and strength.
Words
[2]As the bishop or priest is anointing the child, they say, "‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit". This symbolizes a legal contract to be with the Spirit and to be confirmed as a Christian believer.
The Sign of Peace
​[2]The Sign of Peace is a sign of our unity and that we are one people of God, one body of Christ. When the bishop the priest says, "Peace be with you", they are saying it on behalf of the community symbolizing that we are all one with the Church.
White Garment
The person being confirmed usually wears a white garment to symbolize their purity.
Eucharist
Laying On Of Hands
[3]The lay hands on someone's head is a sign of calling down the Holy Spirit. All Seven Sacraments employ this ritual. During the Eucharist, the priest stretches his hands over the bread and wine to call upon the Holy Spirit and call upon the Holy Spirit.
Bread and Wine
[3]Bread is life; wine is joy. The sharing of food is is a ritual symbolizing peace-making, resolution of differences, fellowship, common life, and common love. During the Last Supper, Jesus identified the bread and wine with his own Body and Blood. After His Resurrection, Jesus' disciples spoke of Jesus in the "breaking of the bread".
Reconciliation
Keys
[4]The symbols of the keys come from the 16th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. This is when Christ tells Peter that Peter is the rock upon which the Church is to be built. He is giving him the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever he binds or looses on earth must bound or loosed in heaven.
The Confession
[4][5]As we confess our sins to the priest, we are drawing near to God through the priest. We are asking God for forgiveness for our post-Baptismal sins. For the confession to be valid, the penitent must feel true contrition for their sins and the priest must say, "I absolve you of your sins".
Anointing of The Sick
Oil
[3][6] Oil symbolizes strength, healing, and cleansing. During the anointing of the sick, the sick need need strength and cleansing for their sins and the priest is asking God to give them strength and keep them strong during this hard time. In the Bible, Christ means the Anointed and as Christians, we are the community who are anointed to continue the work of Christ.
Anointing the Forehead
[6] Forehead is the most visible part on a human body and anointing the forehead means that their
faith in Christ should be visible though their actions. This also symbolizes that Catholic need to Christ and follow Him.
Laying on of Hands
[3][6] Laying on of the hands, done in the Eucharist as well, symbolizes the spirit of Christ entering the sick person through the laying on of hands and mediation of the priest or bishop.
Marriage
The Wedding Rings
[7][8]The wedding rings symbolizes the unity and eternal love they have for one another. The rings are spoken reminder of faithful commitment to their marriage. The wedding rings are worn on the left RING finger as it believed to be containing a special vein directly connected to the heart.
Lifting the Veil
[8] The veil signifies unity and oneness. When the veil is lifted, it symbolizes that there is not distance nor barrier that will separate their hearts and minds. They will build a future together for themselves (and their children to come) through love and perseverance.
Holy Orders
Receiving the Gospels
[9] The newly ordained deacon is given a copy of the Gospels to signify that now it's their responsibility to read and proclaim them.
The Stole
[10][4] The stole is a symbol of authority, especially the authority to teach. As a deacon is given a stole, he is now confirmed by the Church to teach God's teachings. The colour purple symbolizes sorrow and repentance. As the priest wears the stole, it symbolizes. The stole is worn on the left shoulder for everyone to see during the liturgy.
[1]"The Symbols of Baptism - How Do They Work?" Web log post. Your Baby's Baptism. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://baptismcandle.com.au/baptism-symbols.html>.
[2]"Symbols and Rituals." Confirmation. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://confirmationbaptism.weebly.com/symbols-and-rituals.html>.
[3]"Signs & Symbols." Together At One Alter. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.togetheratonealtar.catholic.edu.au/craft/dsp-content.cfm?loadref=36>.
[4]"What Are the Symbols Used in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?" Ask. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.ask.com/world-view/symbols-used-sacrament-reconciliation-8844c6473b78f37c>.
[5]Sullivan, Chris. "God's Gift of Forgiveness Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation." Loyola Press. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.loyolapress.com/gods-gift-of-forgiveness-through-reconciliation.htm>.
[6]"The Anointing of the Sick: Definition, History & Symbols." Study.com. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://study.com/academy/lesson/the-anointing-of-the-sick-definition-history-symbols.html>.
[7]"Symbols and Rituals of Marriage." Marriage for Roman Catholic Church. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://romancatholicchurchweddings.weebly.com/symbols-and-rituals-of-marriage.html>.
[8]"Wedding Symbols and Meanings for Catholics and Christians." Marriage Hour. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.marriagehour.com/wedding-symbols-and-meanings-for-catholics-and-christians/>
[9]"What Are the Rituals of Holy Orders?" Answers. Ed. James Hough. Answers Corporation, n.d. Web. <http://www.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_rituals_of_Holy_Orders>.
[10] Darling, Laura. "Confirm Not Conform." The Symbolism of Stoles. N.p., 21 Oct. 2010. Web. <http://www.confirmnotconform.com/blog/symbolism-stoles-0>.
