HOLY ORDERS or ORDINATION—This is the sacrament through
which one receives the power and grace to perform the sacred duties of the
priesthood.
MATRIMONY or MARRIAGE.—This is the sacrament by which
baptized men and women bind themselves for life in a lawful marriage and
receive the grace to discharge their duties.
Many non-Catholic Christian faiths recognize only Baptism and Holy
Communion/the Lord’s Supper as sacraments. Some groups refer to these as
“ordinances” rather than sacraments.
SACRAMENTALS
Sacramental, within some faith traditions, are objects, prayers, and rites
which when used by the Christian faithful in a proper manner have special
meaning. The use of sacramental is seen most frequently in the Roman
Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and “High” Episcopal faith groups, Religious
objects blessed by a priest, such as rosaries, crucifies, holy water, images of
Christ, the Blessed Virgin, or the saints, are frequently considered as
sacramental and require special care and handling. Other sacramental
include the water and oil used in baptism, certain rites, and prayers.
It is important for the RP to determine, with the help of the chaplain,
which items are considered to be blessed or sacred and which ones require
special handling and/or special security considerations.
CHRISTIAN BASIC BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS
Christian beliefs are founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ as set forth
in the New Testament. They are also based on the Hebrew Bible, or Old
Testament.
Since its birth almost 2,000 years ago, Christianity has anchored its belief
system on two convictions: that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to
earth to live and die for the redemption of humankind; and that He arose
from the dead. These two beliefs are unique to Christianity. The cross is the
chief symbol of Christianity.
In the broadest sense, Christianity embraces all who follow the example
of Christ. The Christian faith is often expressed through creeds. Perhaps the
best known of these is the Apostles’ Creed, which states:
“I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of heaven and
earth: And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord: Who
was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin
Mary: suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and
buried. He descended into hell: the third day He rose again
from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the
right hand of God the Father Almighty: from thence He shall
come to judge the quick and the dead.
“I believe in the Holy Ghost: the holy Catholic Church: the
communion of saints: the forgiveness of sins: the resurrection
of the body: and the life everlasting. Amen”
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