What are the 7 main liturgical actions of the church called?

Answer 1

The seven liturgical actions referred to are called "sacraments" coming from the Latin word "sacramentum", meaning "sacred sign". From ancient times the Roman Catholic Church has traditionally referred to them as initiation rites into the divine life offered by the Church instituted by Jesus. It should be noted that following the Second Vatican Council during the late 1960s and early 1970s the Church made attempts to modernise themselves and this affected the terminology used to describe the sacraments and a regrouping of how they were to be viewed. Below is a list of the sacraments under their traditional and modern terminology.

Traditionally, those sacraments are: 1) Baptism, whereby infants or adults are given their first sign of Jesus' grace. This sacrament is said to wash away "original sin" ie. the sin of Adam and Eve who ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge. 2) Confession (now known as Penance and Reconciliation) whereby the baptised person must admit to sins committed against the teachings of Jesus. 3) Penance, which is now grouped with Penance and Reconciliation - see item number 2 above. After having confessed one's faults one must perform an act of "punishment" meted out by the priest hearing the confession. In ancient times that "punishment" could be quite harsh eg. flagellation (whipping). Nowadays, one is required to say prayers prescribed by the priest and feel true sorrow for one's sins 4) Holy Communion (now known as 'Eucharist'). One is now considered worthy to receive the communion wafer which is believed to be the actual body of Christ. 5) Confirmation, whereby one is formally welcomed and admitted into the community of the Church. 6) Marriage or Holy Orders. In ancient times society recognized only two lifestyles. One either married or entered into Holy Orders as a priest, monk or nun. 7) Viaticum (now known as Anointing Of The Sick). Traditionally this sacrament was only dispensed when a person was at the point of death and this was the last solace the Church could offer before one died and made their journey into the life after death. Unlike The Viaticum which was only administered once, the Anointing Of The Sick can be administered as often as necessary.

The seven sacraments are now regrouped under different headings as listed below.

SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION:

Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist

SACRAMENTS OF HEALING:

Penance and Reconciliation

Anointing Of The Sick

SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF EUCHARIST:

Matrimony and Holy Orders