Sacraments

The Greek word musterion is translated as "sacraments" only in Ephesians 5:32 of the Douay Rheims (Catholic) Bible. In other versions, musterion is translated as "mystery," and the word "sacraments" doesn't appear in the Bible at all.

According to Strong's Greek Lexicon (#3466), musterionmeans:

1. hidden thing, secret, mystery
   1. generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals
   2. a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding
   3. a hidden purpose or counsel
      1. secret will 1c
   4. of men 1c
   5. of God: the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with the righteous, which are hidden from ungodly and wicked men but plain to the godly
2. in rabbinic writings, it denotes the mystic or hidden sense
   1. of an OT saying
   2. of an image or form seen in a vision
   3. of a dream

When someone speaks about the "four sacraments of forgiveness" they are referring to Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Anointing of the Sick. Each of these sacraments have components of forgiveness within them.

The answer depends upon what country the marriage took place in. In the United States, for example, marriages performed in a church are legal providing that the clergyman who performed the marriage and signed the marriage license is a bona fide officiant registered locally to perform marriages.

In Mexico, for example, church marriages are ceremonial only, since the government does not delegate the office of officiant to clergy. In Mexico, a couple signs a document in front of a civil registrar and upon completion of that act they are considered legally married, whether or not they decide to have a religious ceremony afterwards.

In Israel, by contrast, the opposite is true. There is no such thing as a civil marriage and all marriages must be performed by clergy from an approved religious group. Very rarely, if both parties assert that they do not belong to any religion, provide proof that they are not Jewish (this is done by proving that their mothers are not Jewish), and have not previously registered a religion with the government, then they may be able to receive a marriage credential without a religious ceremony.

In some countries, citizens register their religion with the government. In Germany, for example, if you belong to a religion, you can register that fact with the government and they will deduct a "church tax" from your paychecks. That pre-tax money is given directly to the religion to which you belong. You may revoke your choice at any time. But, if you are not registered with a religion, then that religion will not agree to marry you and you must obtain a civil marriage.

Once you have legally married in one country, then all countries will usually recognize your marriage except, for example, countries that do not recognize same-sex marriage.

Candles are emblematic of God and of Our Blessed Lord. Christians have been praying with candles for 2,000 years, it is a venerable tradition, and harkens both to the early days of the Church and to the public liturgy of the Church.

from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980

Candle. A sacramental used in the Church’s liturgy. Candles were first used to dispel darkness in predawn services and in the catacombs. They have since become part of the liturgy and their symbolism part of the church’s tradition. Candles are an emblem of God, the giver of life and enlightenment. Being pure, they represent Christ’s spotless body, the flame a figure of the Divine Nature. Candles are blessed solemnly on the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin or Candlemas Day (February 2). Candles are required at the public administration of the sacraments, at Mass and Benediction, at funerals and at other church ceremonies.