Sacraments of Christian Initiation

“The Sacraments of Christian Initiation”

“The sacraments of Christian Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life. The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity.”

–Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1212

Gift ideas for children to celebrate the reception of their First Communion:

First Communion Bible

St. Joseph Edition, NAB

Catholic Bible Stories for Children: First Communion Edition
Authors: Ann Ball , Julianne M. Will

First Communion Day Hardcover

First Communion Dress

First Communion Veil

Brass First Communion Cross with Chalice

Boy’s First Communion Set

Girl’s First Communion Set

First Communion Brass Plaque

Girl’s First Communion Rosary With Clear Glass Beads

Boy’s Hematite First Communion Rosary

First Communion Custom Holy Card

First Communion 12 Kt Gold-Filled Med

First Communion Sterling Round Medal

Please visit our first communion specialty store by clicking here:
To view our complete selection of books for Lent and Holy Week, please click here:

“Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life ‘in earthen vessels’ and it remains ‘hidden with Christ in God.’ We are still in our ‘earthly tent’, subject to suffering, illness and death. This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost by sin.

The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.”

–Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1420 and 1421

Books for children on the occasion of their First Confession:

Guidebook for Confession for Children From 9-13 Years Old

My Confession Book

Seven Sacraments: Young Catholic Sacrament Book

Go in PeaceAuthors: Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., Sean Brown

Lord, Have Mercy: The Healing Power Of ConfessionAuthor: Dr. Scott Hahn, Ph.D.

Pardon And Peace: A Sinner’s Guide To ConfessionAuthor: Fr. Francis Randolph

Gift ideas to celebrate the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation:

Living The Mysteries: A Guide For Unfinished Christians Authors: Dr. Scott Hahn, Ph.D. Mike Aquilina

Receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit

Author: Fr. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F.

Sober Intoxication of the Spirit: Filled with the Fullness of God Author: Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap.

Pewter Confirmation Wall Cross

18K Gold Plated Cut-Out Holy Spirit Cross

Walnut Crucifix with Diamond Cut Nickel Overlay

Other important resources for the newly Catholic Christian:

United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

The Essential Catholic Handbook: A Summary of Beliefs, Practices, and Prayers

Oxford Hardcover New American Study Bible, Second Edition

For more Catholic reference books, please click here:

“Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are sacraments of Christian initiation. They ground the common vocation of all Christ’s disciples, a vocation to holiness and to the mission of evangelizing the world. They confer the special graces needed for the life according to the Spirit during this life as pilgrims on the march toward the homeland.”

–Catechism of the Catholic Church #1533

“From the time of the apostles, becoming a Christian has been accomplished by a journey and initiation in several stages. This journey can be covered rapidly or slowly, but certain essential elements will always have to be present: proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion.”

–Catechism of the Catholic Church #1229

(The following is the fourth in a series of talks by one of our staff relating the amazing healing power and love of God in her life. To read the previous artlcles, click this link.)

“Jesus prayed to teach us also that when our soul finds itself in desolation like his, we should seek consolation from heaven only in prayer to sustain us in the sacrifice .” –from Padre Pio: In My Own Words

Dear Friends;

This week I have found myself in a place of quiet solitude. I have tried all week to gather my thoughts to continue sharing my journey only to find myself getting nowhere. The words and thoughts just will not come. I have tried to force it, only to become frustrated in the process. Why is it so difficult this week? Why is the Holy Spirit not moving within me as in previous weeks? Isn’t God hearing me, hearing my prayers?

In the quiet of my heart, I understood. This, too, has been part of my journey, learning to live in the desert times of life. God is quiet right now and I find myself in that place where, a year ago, in a similar circumstance, I felt as if I had fallen right back into the pit of despair, that my prayers were not being heard, and that once again, God had left me.

But, that was then. I’ve grown in my faith enough to understand that when these times come, and they will come to all of us seeking a relationship with Christ, we must press on knowing He is with us. We must continue to pray fervently. We will be tempted and tested as He was, but must continue to remain faithful. It is in these times that we are strengthened in spirit to continue the journey, never wavering from His plan for our lives. … Jesus, I trust in You.

“It is a bitter thing to a soul who has once tasted how sweet is the Lord to be then cut off, or in any way withdrawn from the full enjoyment of that sweetness.” –Taken from Praying with Catherine of Siena

I would prefer not to be in the desert now that have have felt the love and joy of the Lord in my heart, but He is with me and I love Him. With eager longing, I wait.

God bless you,

Aline

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 1st, 2007 at 7:03 pm and is filed under Aquinas and More Catholic Goods Newsletters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.