Session 3: The Sacraments of Initiation

There are seven Sacraments in the Catholic Faith, and three of them are specifically referred to as

Sacraments of Initiation. Can you name the three that are also known as Sacraments of Initiation?  

 

The answer is Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (or Holy Communion). Let's learn more about 

each of them.  

 

BAPTISM  

Baptism begins our faith journey and our initiation into the Catholic Church.

In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul actually compares the new life of the Sacrament of Baptism with

Jesus’ resurrection. Let’s look in the New Testament.  

 

Read Romans 6:1-11.  

 

The Sacrament of Baptism sets us up to begin a new life, because it frees us from Original Sin 

and personal sin. This doesn’t mean that baptized people don’t sin. Through the grace we receive 

through the Sacrament of Baptism we have the strength to turn away from sin if we listen to God’s 

call and cooperate with His grace. Then, like Jesus, we rise to a new way of life that is rooted in God’s 

love. Bishop Robert Barron explains the importance of Baptism in the video below:

 

 

 

EUCHARIST 

Next, let's learn more about the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Eucharist, or Holy 

Communion, connects us to Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and keeps us close to Him. 

Once we receive First Eucharist, we can receive Holy Communion every day of our lives- what a gift! 

This great gift allows us to connect with God in a way that is like no other. Watch:

 

 

 

REAL PRESENCE - in the Eucharist 

In the last video about the Sacrament of Holy Communion, or Eucharist, Bishop Barron mentions the 

Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. This is a central Catholic belief. Let's learn a bit more about 

it in the video below.  

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION

Finally, why is Confirmation a Sacrament of Initiation? Confirmation completes our initiation into 

the Church and strengthens us to continue our faith journey. 

Confirmation equips us with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which give us special strength to show others 

the love of Christ in the world through our actions. 

Learn more about the Sacrament in the video below:

 

 

 

God gives us his grace, or gifts, through the Sacraments. However, someone can receive the

Sacraments, but still be distant from God. 

 

Think about this: Can you think of one reason why people who receive the Sacraments might still make 

sinful choices and keep their distance from a friendship with God?

 

You can receive the grace of God through the Sacraments, which is a gift that is not earned, but given 

freely by God.  That doesn’t mean you are living a Christian life. Think of a light switch. The electric in 

the switch is God’s grace. It’s always there, but in order to turn on the light, you have to flip the switch. 

So activating the electric requires your cooperation. It’s the same with living a Christian life. You may 

have received Sacraments, but are you listening for God’s call and responding to it by turning away

 from sin? If the answer is yes then you are experiencing a conversion, and the Sacraments of Initiation

 make conversion possible. 

The Sacraments of Initiation each one of us is brought into a relationship with Christ and we become 

members of the Catholic Church. Sometimes people receive the Sacraments of Initiation at later times 

in their lives. The Church has a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation for 

Adults and Children through which catechumens or “learners” can become members of the 

Catholic Church. Catechumens celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil on Holy 

Saturday. 

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 Share what you've learned about the Sacraments of Initiation in this Exit Ticket.