There is a resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of Christian life. That is to say, we are born, nourished, matured and healed in our spiritual journey until we reach the stature of Christ, in whom we find the fulfilment of our humanity. The seven sacraments touch all these stages and important moments of our Christian life. The first three: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist are the sacraments of initiation because they constitute the foundation and basis of our life in Christ.

Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments which gives us birth to a new life in the Holy Spirit. It unites us with Christ who died for our sins and rose for our justification that “we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6,4).The word in Greek “baptizein” means “to plunge” or, “to immerse”.

With the immersion in the water, the child or adult who is baptised participates in the Paschal mystery of Christ, that is, his work to save us. The newly-baptised person’s immersion in the death of Christ brings about his death to sin, and his rising up out of the water with Christ makes him a new creature. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.

Confirmation is the second sacrament of initiation. During this sacrament (usually celebrated within the context of the Mass), the Bishop or the Bishop’s delegate (such as a parish priest) puts oil on the forehead of the person being confirmed and says, “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit”. Confirmation confirms and strengthens baptismal grace. It roots us more deeply as children of God; it unites us more firmly to Christ; it perfects our bond with the Church; and it increases the gifts and strength of the Holy Spirit in us in order to be true witnesses of Christ, spread and defend the faith by our words and actions.

Eucharist (known too as the Mass) is the third sacrament of initiation. It perpetuates Christ’s sacrifice out of love for us on the Cross and nourishes us with his Body and Blood. This sacrament was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper with his apostles and was entrusted to the Church. Whenever the Mass is celebrated the sacrifice of Jesus is made present, and the bread and the wine become the body and blood of Christ, our food of eternal life.