A New Way to Be Catholic : Sacramental Resources

As indicated in our Statement of Belief, the UACC acknowledges the Seven Sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing for Healing, Matrimony and Holy Orders) as the sure means of grace instituted by Christ, for our lives and for our salvation. Following Jesus' example, the sacraments are freely given and open to all Christians.

A sacrament may be defined as:

• an oath, solemn covenant, sacred thing, or mystery, from the Latin sacramentum;
• a Christian rite believed to have been ordained by Christ that is a means of divine grace; also, a sign or symbol of a spiritual reality.

In our Catholic Christian understanding, all the sacraments bring us into a closer relationship with God. Two of them, however, have a direct impact on our salvation and life as Christians. These are Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist. Without Baptism, one cannot enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5, NIV); without Eucharist, one has no life within (John 6:52-54, NIV).

Moreover, the message of the new covenant is that we are all—without exception—brothers and sisters, and we are all—without exception—sons and daughters of God. It is in this context that the sacraments were instituted and in which we administer them, fostering the intimacy that each rite brings to our life in the Spirit and to the life of the Spirit in us.

BAPTISM

Baptism in the Jewish world of the first century was understood as a sign of cleansing and conversion. Jesus' insistence that he also be baptized demonstrated not only its symbolism as entry into the Kingdom of Heaven but also as assurance that he truly was "one like us in all things."

Following Jesus' command, baptism with water (aspersion or full immersion) is conferred by the UACC "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" and carries with it the same intent and effect of the whole Christian church.

RECONCILIATION

The ministry of Jesus on Earth was to bring humanity into a deeper relationship with God and with one another as true brothers and sisters. Jesus not only stressed forgiveness but demanded it, asking our Creator even in his dying breath to forgive those who crucified him.

The sacrament of reconciliation, therefore, is one of relationship-mending. It is the sacrament whereby we seek and are granted forgiveness for the faults and sins we have committed against God and against our neighbor. Through Christ's authority as handed down to the apostles, UACC clergy impart absolution to the penitent, as follows.

"God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son, has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

EUCHARIST

Our Lord gave His Body and Blood, the sacrament of the Eucharist, to all people without reserve, instructing us in the Gospels to "Do this, in remembrance of me."

Jesus' entire life was focused on doing the will of our Creator in Heaven and serving all people. Even at the final Passover meal that Jesus celebrated with his disciples, he openly and knowingly shared the meal with the man who was about to betray him, setting the bar as high as possible for what it means to serve all mankind.

Because Christ denies himself to no one, the UACC invites to the Lord's table all baptized Christians regardless of denomination, marital status, reproductive history, political views or any of the other reasons used to prohibit one from receiving communion. Children are invited to learn about the Eucharist prior to making their First Communion so that they will have a basic understanding of the Sacrament.

CONFIRMATION

The sacrament of confirmation, in which the recipient, through God's grace, is infused by the Holy Spirit, marks the confirmand's maturity into a deeper understanding of the mystery of Christ and the Holy Spirit, just as the twelve apostles experienced on Pentecost. There is some catechetical preparation required prior to the reception of the sacrament. Generally imparted by the Bishop, administration of confirmation may be delegated to a priest for pastoral and/or logistical reasons. Confirmands must be at least twelve years of age.

ANOINTING FOR HEALING

The tradition of anointing with oil for the purposes of healing is a theme common to both the Old and New Testaments. Since Jesus' ministry was one of healing the spirit, the mind and the body of the people, through which they entered into the joy of knowing God, it is appropriate that he sent his apostles into the world to do the same (Mark 6:13 and James 5:14 NIV).

This sacrament is appropriate not only for those who are gravely ill or who are in danger of death but for anyone in need of healing of any kind.

"...your faith has made you well." Mark 5:34, Luke 18:42b

MATRIMONY

In its historical and anthropological sense, marriage has always been a civil, social contract between two people, ideally, but not always, born of love for the betterment of the family and of the society.

Jesus understood the importance of this social construct and its significance to the couple as the foundation of their growth and development as healthy emotional and rational beings. Jesus often spoke of his relationship to the church (the people of God) as that of a bride and groom.

Unlike Baptism, Eucharist and Holy Orders, sacraments that directly affect the soul by grace received from God, marriage is a sacrament that directly affects the relationship between the two people involved. The couple asks for God's grace on their relationship, through which they then glorify God.

By their expressed love and stated commitment to each other, the couple actually performs the sacrament. They voluntarily make a sacred oath between them, a solemn covenant invoking God's assistance and blessing. The priest is present as God's witness before man and to physically manifest the spiritual blessing internally received.

The UACC recognizes that through our own human weakness, the marriage contract, despite all good, loving and honorable efforts, may not in fact be the perpetual contract that was intended. For that reason, the UACC stands ready to help those individuals who have experienced divorce to recuperate and to heal their wounds by sacramentally recognizing second nuptials. Remarriage after a legal civil divorce does not exclude the individual from the social or sacramental life of the church.

The UACC recognizes true love as a gift from God and as a path on which to know Him more fully. We joyfully celebrate the wonderful blessing of marriage for opposite and same sex couples.

HOLY ORDERS

The United American Catholic Church celebrates the Sacrament of Holy Orders that Christ instituted at the Last Supper and that culminated with his mandate of the Great Commission. The major effect of the sacrament is to increase sanctifying grace in those who receive the gift of Orders so they may be infused with the Spirit as God's dutiful ministers to humankind. The manifold duties of those in Holy Orders are to pastorally and sacramentally draw all people into the spiritual Kingdom of Heaven and bring all men and women not only into the wonderful realization of God as our true Creator, but to lead, guide and propel us into a truly loving relationship with all humankind.

Through the millennial tradition of the laying-on-of-hands in the manner of apostolic succession, the UACC ordains qualified men and women into the episcopal offices of Bishop, Priest and Deacon.

YOU ARE INVITED

You are invited to participate in the sacramental life of the United American Catholic Church. Please complete the visitor contact form, and let us know how we may be of service.