The Bishop of Austin smiles after a Baptism | Photo from St. Mary Staff

The Sacraments make the invisible signs of God's grace visible.
 

We invite you and your family to join us
 in worshipping God through the sacraments. 

The Catholic Sacraments
In the Catholic Church there are seven sacraments, given at different points along a Catholic's journey. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church recognizes the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion), the Sacraments of Healing (Penance and the Anointing of the Sick), and the Sacraments of Service (Marriage and Holy Orders). Through the Sacraments, God shares his holiness with us so that we, in turn, can make the world holier.

The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus.  Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist.  The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters.  . . .  Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin.  However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God.

In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ's call to holiness. In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.                            ~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults | en español

• Click here for  Birth through age 6                 
• Click here for  Age 7-17 
• Click here for  Age 17 and older

Not onlydoes the Sacrament of Penance free us from our sins but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us.  We are liberated to be forgivers.  We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: "It is in pardoning that we are pardoned."

Jesus entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church.  The Sacrament of Penance is God's gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven.  In confession we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in his presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins.  With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church. The Sacrament helps us stay close to the truth that we cannot live without God. "In him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). 

~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults | en español

First Holy Communion (Holy Eucharist)

Adult Confirmation: For adult Catholics who have been baptized and have received First Holy Communion.    

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  • Registration Form for Adult Confirmation

Teen Confirmation: For teen Catholics from 9th grade to 12th grade who have been baptized, catechized, and have received their First Holy Communion.   

Holy Matrimony

Holy Orders

Annointing of the SickCatholic Faith Formation: The Religious Education ministry is a full-family catechesis which includes praying, learning, and growing as disciples together - all the while preparing children to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.  See Religious Education.

Marriage:  For couples seeking to receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony at the Saint Mary Cathedral.  Click here for more informationRCIA: For non-Catholics interested in becoming Catholic or for adult Catholics who have not received First Holy Communion and Confirmation.  Click Adult Sacraments to register