Catholics/3 or 7?

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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 9/3/2009


Question
I was reading the Bible recently and I came upon the part where Jesus said that Circumcision came from the Patriarchs and not Moses. This lead me to think about the sacrements and their origins. Christ established 3 Sacrements undisputibly in the Bible, (Holy Orders is not counted here though Christ clearly created an ordained Ministry and was intending that), they are Conffession, Baptism and Holy Eucherest. The Sacrements of Confirmation, Holy Orders, Matrimony andExtreme Unction seem to have been Inspired Later on in the Acts of the Apostles. So, if the Circumcision came from the Patriarchs and not Moses, would not those four not be sacrements as it could be argued that they are instituted by the Apostles and not Christ in a similar manner? they would be what the Anglicans call, lesser Sacrements. Regardless of your anwser, I accept the Church's teaching because I trust Christ, but most of my family are Prodestant and i want to fullfill my duty to, "account for the hope that is in me."

Answer
Hi, and thanks for the question...

The Tradition of the Church is that Christ instituted the Seven Sacraments in all of their essential elements.  The Acts of the Apostles simply bears witness to the practice and carrying out of the Sacraments.
The catechism of the Catholic Church teaches this matter is detail.
Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

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A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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