Finals Module 2: The Sacraments of Healing and Reconciliation, Matters and Forms of

the Seven Sacraments, and the Sacraments of Vocation (Matrimony and Holy Orders)

Topics: The Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
The Matters and Forms of the Seven Sacrament
The Sacrament of Matrimony
The Sacrament of Holy Orders

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. Explain how the sacraments of healing and forgiveness comes out from the healing ministry
of Jesus Christ;
2. Elaborate on the great significance of healing and reconciliation in the life of every person;
3. Tell how the seven sacraments give God’s grace in every peak of a person’s lives;
4. Discuss about the matters and forms of the seven sacraments; and
5. Explain the significance of the two sacraments of vocation such as the Sacrament of
Matrimony and the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

LEARNING CONTENT

Introduction:

After being welcomed into God’s family through Baptism, strengthened by the Holy Spirit to
live our Christian life and mission, and constantly nourish by the body and blood of Christ in the
Holy Eucharist, there are times that we get sick physically and mentally, and also times that we
commit mistakes or sins which results to brokenness and which also weaken our will to live a
morally upright life. With this, we need healing especially healing with the grace of God. After
being healed, we can start a new again with our lives and mission. This is where the
Sacraments of Penance and Anointing of the Sick is needed.

Lesson Proper:

A. The Sacraments of Healing and Reconciliation

These two Sacraments were very much practiced or shown by Jesus in His dealings with
the people during His time. So, these two Sacraments of healing and reconciliation
originated directly from the healing ministry of Jesus as Jesus has been healing people
with sickness and forgiving people’s sins with its peak in His passion until His crucifixion which
will all be totally overcome by His resurrection.

1. The Sacrament of Reconciliation / Penance

Experience tells us that opening up one’s problem to a trusted friend is a very important
act for us to move on in life. Problems if being kept in ourselves keep us stagnant and so hard
up to pick up our broken selves. This is the case in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, our very
trusted friend whom we open up our sins is no other than God. The priests or confessors during
the Sacrament of Reconciliation are just “personifications” of God or instruments of God for us
to open up our sinfulness which will lead us to healing and moving on in life.

Sin destroys the sinner her/himself, destroys our relationship with others, with God, and
sometimes our sinful acts also directly or indirectly destroy our environment. So, sin is not just
personal, but has social and transcendental aspect. So, healing or reparation is not just on
our broken selves or personal level but also in our relationship with God, with others and
with our environment. This is the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Despite our sinfulness, God is always ready to welcome us

back if we repent and are willing to amend our sinful ways.
This was the message of the parable of the prodigal son which
others would like to call it parable of the Loving Father. God is
always compassionate towards His creatures. The Sacrament
of Penance/Reconciliation stresses the importance of
repentance or amendment of sinful life and reconciliation. This
personal conversion should lead to social transformation.
Jesus in His healing ministry focused on reconciling people
with God and with the community. This was the ultimate
purpose of His coming down to earth, to reconcile all
people/things with God. He even died for this mission.

After the death of Jesus, God continues to forgive and reconcile people to Himself
and to one another through the Church. This was evident in Jesus’ words during His
appearance to His apostles, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send
you…Receive the holy Spirit whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins
you retain are retained. (John 20:21, 23). The apostle James also reiterated this when he
said, “…confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.” (James 5:16)

Parts of the Rite of the Sacrament of Reconciliation / Penance

Greetings between the confessor and the penitent Confessor is the priest and penitent is
the sinner who will open up

The penitent tells when was his/her last confession

The penitent will now tell/confess his/her sins

The confessor/priest will give some advice/counsel

The confessor/priest will give the penance Penance is like a “punishment” or what to
do. May be prayers which is the general
practice or a sort of charity work.
The Penitent will pray the Act of Contrition while the
priest will pray for him/her which ends by giving
him/her the Absolution.

The penitent will now go to do the penance

2. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

Aside from preaching, healing was one of the things that made people recognized
something very important in Jesus’ personality and mission. Christ has healed the physically
and psychologically sick during His time for them to experience liberation from the oppression of
sickness and for them to be accepted back by the community since people at that time looked at
sickness as result of one’s sinfulness, therefore the sick people were labelled as sinners. Jesus
was concern with the well-being of people physically and spiritually. After Jesus, the apostles
and now the Church continues this healing ministry through the Sacraments of penance and
Anointing of the sick. This is practice by laying on of hand, and anointing with oil with a
prayer. The apostles practiced this and taught this to their successors as stated by the apostle
James in his epistle “Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the
church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the
prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any
sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15)

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is

given to the seriously sick, the dying, those
terminally ill especially if bedridden, and the aged
(too old). As we’ve said, this Sacrament stresses
the importance of healing and well-being
physically and spiritually since faith in God can
be weaken by illness. On our part, we also need to
opt for a healthy life style; we need to be
conscious of our health. Sickness can make us
feel isolated or sometimes even abandoned.
Remember, doctors are highly paid and medicines
are very expensive; health is wealth and life is
worth living.

Parts of the Rite of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

The priest blesses the room of the sick with holy water

The sick will confess (of sins) if he/she wishes

Readings from the Word of God/Bible

A short litany of intentions is said followed by Laying on of hands

The sick is anointed on the foreheads and hands (with oil) with a prayer

Communion rite, Lord’s prayer, the sick and others present receive Communion

Concluding prayer and final blessing

Matters and Forms of the Seven Sacraments

Before going to the last two Sacraments which are the Sacrament of Matrimony/Marriage
and the Sacrament of Holy Orders, let us first present the Matters and forms of the Seven
Sacraments. These matters and forms refer to the Main symbols (matter) and the Formula
(form/prayer) of the Seven Sacraments. These are the indispensable symbols in the Seven
Sacraments.

Sacraments Matter Form

Baptism Water/Pouring of Water “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Confirmation Laying on of hand and “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”
Anointing with chrism

Holy Eucharist Bread and Wine “This is my body…this is my blood…”

Reconciliation The verbal confession of sins “I absolve you from your sins in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
spirit.”

Holy Orders Laying on of hands “We ask you, Father, give this servant of
yours the dignity of the presbyterate and
renew the spirit of holiness with him…”

Matrimony / Marriage Man, woman, and their The vow the man and the woman pronounce
consent to each other

Anointing of the Sick Anointing with oil “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in
His mercy help you with the grace of the Holy
Spirit…”
These are the sacraments when grouped according to “functions”.

Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism

Confirmation

Holy Eucharist

Sacraments of Healing

Reconciliation

Anointing of the Sick

Sacraments of
Commitment/Service

Holy Orders

Matrimony / Marriage

The arrangement will be different if we see when they should be given or received by the
candidates (those who have not yet received them). The two columns below are the
arrangement as to when should these Sacraments be given or received. The arrangement on
the second column below is the one which is most practiced since we need to be worthy to
receive Jesus through His body and blood (Communion), that is why the Sacrament of
Reconciliation comes first before the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Anointing of the Sick is
also not necessarily at the last part since it can be given to a young person who is seriously
sick.

Sacraments Sacraments

Baptism Baptism

Confirmation Reconciliation

Holy Eucharist Holy Eucharist

Reconciliation Confirmation

Holy Orders Holy Order

Matrimony / Marriage Matrimony / Marriage

Anointing of the Sick Anointing of the Sick

You might be asking why the Seven Sacraments are arranged in this way (in column 2 above)?
As we’ve said, the Sacraments are celebrations of our peak moments of lives and the
channels of God’s grace which will accompany us in our journey through life. Through
the Sacraments, God or God’s grace is accompanying us from infancy / babyhood until our
death, as you can see, the Sacraments are following our stages of life. In Baptism, we are
welcome into the family of God, Confirmation will strengthen our life with God and with one
another, Eucharist will nourish this life with God and others, when we commit sin but willing to
repent and undergo conversion, God will welcome us back through the Sacrament of
Reconciliation, if you are willing to “fully” serve God and people, then enter the Holy Orders,
Matrimony comes when we are ready to raise a family, and if we are seriously sick or are too
old, God is ready to heal us or welcome us back through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the
sick.

B. The Sacraments of Commitment and Service

The Sacraments of Service and Commitment are Marriage / Matrimony and Holy Orders.
These are called such since through these Sacraments we enter into a serious commitment with
a partner (wife or husband in Matrimony and God or Church in Holy Orders) and these two are
the ways of life of service that we voluntarily commit ourselves into.

1. Sacrament of Matrimony

Correction of some common misleading (wrong) notion about the Sacrament of Matrimony.

In the Sacrament of Matrimony, there are no such

things as “abay” and “ninongs” or “ninangs” or
godparents. This is just a cultural practice which is
very rampant in the Philippines. The Church’s
official teaching on who are needed are just Two
Witnesses. These two are the primary witnesses
aside from the priest and the community of the
commitment which the couple are entering into.
The Ministers in this Sacrament are not the priests
but the bride and groom.

Some Biblical Exhortations or Strong Reminders about Marriage:

Jesus said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh’? So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore,
what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” (Matthew 19:5-6)
“…The husband should fulfill his duty toward his wife, and likewise the wife toward her
husband. A wife does not have authority over her own body, but rather her husband,
and similarly a husband does not have authority over his own body, but rather his
wife… A wife should not separate from her husband 11 —and if she does separate, she
must either remain single or become reconciled to her husband—and a husband should
not divorce his wife. “(1 Cor. 7:1-11)

“Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head
of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, …Husbands, love your wives, even as
Christ loved the church …For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” (Ephesians 5: 21-33)

The most central part of this Sacrament is the giving of consent between the bride and
the groom which ends up with the prayer ..Grant us o Lord to be one heart and one soul
from this day forward…. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in
health, until death do us part; and after which the priest will bless and ratify/confirm their
marriage.

Meaning of the other Symbols in the Sacrament of Matrimony

Ring Power of the Holy Spirit is in the Couple and their Binding Love between them

Arrhae Sufficiency and Material possessions the husband offers to his wife or the husband
should take care of his wife

Veil Wives carry the load on their head and husband carry the load on their shoulders

Cord Strength of the marriage bond which is meant to be indissoluble

Better if this Sacrament is done within the Holy Eucharist since as The Eucharist celebrates
Jesus’ total giving up of Himself to humanity, the couple should also give themselves to
each other in love and dedication.

Matrimony as a Sacrament is to confer God’s grace to help couples perform their marital
duties and grow together in holiness.
2. Sacrament of Holy Orders

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is one of the Sacraments of Service and Commitment. It is
through this sacrament that men are ordained to serve the Church in the roles of deacon, priest,
or bishop. This sacrament configures the ordained minister to Christ in a unique way, enabling
him to act in the person of Christ for the service of the People of God.

Biblical Foundations:
1. Institution of the Priesthood
o "Do this in memory of me." (Luke 22:19-20)
During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the priesthood, entrusting His apostles
with the mission to continue His ministry through the Eucharist.
2. Role of Shepherds
o "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." (John 20:21-23)
Jesus sent His apostles to carry on His mission, with authority to forgive sins and
bring His presence to the faithful.
3. The Appointment of Leaders
o "For this reason, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you
through the laying on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6)
Saint Paul speaks of ordination through the laying on of hands, which continues
in the Church today.

Essential Elements:
• The Laying on of Hands and Prayer of Consecration
This central rite signifies the conferral of the Holy Spirit and the specific mission of the
ordained.
• Degrees of Holy Orders
o Deacon: Serves the Church through ministry of the Word, liturgy, and charity.
o Priest: Acts as a mediator between God and His people, especially in celebrating
the Eucharist.
o Bishop: Holds the fullness of Holy Orders and is tasked with teaching, sanctifying,
and governing the Church.
Symbols and Their Meanings:

• Chasuble (for priests): Represents the yoke of Christ and the call to serve with humility.
• Stole: Signifies the authority and responsibility of the ordained to preach and administer
the sacraments.
• Mitre and Crosier (for bishops): Symbols of teaching authority and pastoral care as
shepherds of Christ's flock.

The Sacrament’s Grace and Mission

Holy Orders provides the grace needed for ordained ministers to serve faithfully in their roles,
empowering them to preach the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments, and lead the People of God
in holiness.

Aspect Details
- Physical Matter: The imposition (laying on) of hands by the ordaining bishop, which
signifies the conferral of the Holy Spirit.
Matter - Sacramental Matter: The anointing with Chrism Oil for priests and bishops.
- The use of sacred symbols like the stole, chasuble, and mitre further signifies the role
being conferred.
- Essential Words (Prayer of Consecration): The specific prayer recited by the bishop
during the ordination, which invokes the Holy Spirit and specifies the office being
conferred: deacon, priest, or bishop.
- For example, during priestly ordination, the bishop prays: “Grant, we pray, Almighty
Form
Father, to these your servants, the dignity of the priesthood; renew deep within them the
Spirit of holiness; may they henceforth possess this office which comes from You, O God,
and is next in rank to the office of bishop; and by the example of their lives, may they
instill right conduct.”

Detailed Breakdown of the Matter:

1. Imposition of Hands
o The bishop places his hands on the head of the ordinand, symbolizing the
transmission of the Holy Spirit. This act is universal in all degrees of Holy Orders.
2. Anointing with Chrism Oil
o For priests: The palms are anointed to consecrate their hands for the
administration of the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.
o For bishops: The head is anointed to signify the fullness of the priesthood and
their authority as successors of the apostles.
3. Sacred Symbols Given
o Deacons: Book of the Gospels, symbolizing their role in proclaiming the Word of
God.
 o Priests: Stole and chasuble, signifying their role in presiding over the Eucharist
and other sacraments.
o Bishops: Mitre (teaching authority), crosier (pastoral leadership), and ring
(spiritual marriage to the Church).

Detailed Breakdown of the Form:

1. Prayer of Consecration
o This prayer is specific to each degree of Holy Orders (deacon, priest, bishop) and
invokes the Holy Spirit to sanctify the ordinand and confer the grace needed for
their ministry.
2. Invocation of Authority
o The prayer references the unbroken apostolic succession, highlighting the
continuity of Christ's mission through the Church.

REFERENCES

Books:

Bible

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Catechism for Filipino Catholics

Vatican II

PCP II

Dumpayan, R. et al (2013). Growing as A Missionary Church.CICM Publishing House.

Online:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20%3A21&version=NABR

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5%3A14-15&version=NABRE

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A21-
33&version=NABRE

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+19%3A5-6&version=NABRE

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+cor.+7%3A1-11&version=NABRE