3. Roman Catholicism
Religious ceremonies are activities conducted or observed on the occasion of the most important or meaningfull religious events of the indiviuals or communities’ lives.
In the case of Roman Catholicism, ceremonies can mark important points of the year, with for example the Midnight Mass, the Vigil of Pentecost, the Easter Vigil, or important points of the individuals’ lives, for example the Seven Sacraments such as the baptism or the mariage. Other kinds of ceremonies include more frequent or regular events, such as the weekly dominical mass.
The Seven Sacraments, descending from the actions of Jesus Christ and formally codified during the 16th century with the Council of Trent, are some of the most important of the ceremonies regarding individuals, as they are intended to signify and channel the grace of God.
The Seven Sacraments include :
- Baptism (regeneration and initiation into the church signified by the outward sign of water), Confirmation (to strengthen and confirm the Baptism) and Eucharist (the central act of Christian worship), which are the sacrements of initiation
- Reconciliation (spiritual healing through confession) and Anointing of the Sick (or extreme onction, reserved to people that are or might be close to death), which are the sacraments of healing
- and Holy Orders (through which people can put themselves in the service or the Church by becoming priests, bishops or deacons) and Matrimony (the Marriage), which are the sacraments of service.
In addition, certain passages in an individual Christian's life are marked by celebration and special services. These include Baptism, or birth into the Christian church; Confirmation, an informed commitment to membership in the church; weddings; and funerals.