Sacraments / SACRAMENTOS
-
-
[para español haga click aquí]
Encounter God's Grace through the Sacraments!
“The seven sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.”Catechism of the Catholic Church
Sacraments of Initiation
“The sacraments of Christian initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist – lay the foundations of every Christian life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1212)
BAPTISM
Baptism of infants is to take place within the first few weeks after birth. The faith of parents who are Catholic, together with their intention to raise their child in that same Catholic faith, is a necessary prerequisite for celebrating this sacrament. The 1980 Instruction on Baptism and Canon Law both call for catechesis for parents and godparents regarding the responsibility they take upon themselves when they present their children for Baptism.
Baptism Requirements:- Fill out the baptismal registration form. Download it HERE
- Present the birth certificate of the child to be baptized (must be under 7 years old, otherwise the child must start religious education classes)
- Parents and godparents must attend a baptismal preparation class with Father Alejandro. Please call the parish office to make an appointment once all the require documentation have been submitted .
- Only single person and /or couples MARRIED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH may be godparents. People living together without being married in the catholic church are not eligible to be godparents.
- Godparents must fill out an eligibility form. Then, they must take this form to their parish that regularly attended priest so he can sign it for their eligibility.
- If Parents attend St. Ambrose church but they are not registered yet please print and fill out the form HERE. If the parents attend/belong to another parish they must request a permission letter from their parish in order to baptize at St. Ambrose.
To baptize children 7 years old and older plese contact Mrs. Lariza Portillo at [email protected]EUCHARIST
Traditionally, children are prepared for reception of the Eucharist during second grade in the parish school or Faith Formation classes. The determination of readiness to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time is a primary responsibility of the pastor as well as the child’s parents and/or guardian. They are to see to it that children who have reached the age of reason are correctly prepared for and are nourished by Communion. In no circumstances should a child receive First Communion without first having received the Sacrament of Penance. Adults who have not received First Communion should contact Mrs. Lariza Portillo to receive instructions.
CONFIRMATION
Students in the Archdiocese of Washington are confirmed in the 7th or 8th grade after preparation through parish school or Faith Formation classes. Confirmation for adults is celebrated annually in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the Feast of the Pentecost. Adults who have not been confirmed should contact Mrs. Lariza Portillo to receive instructions.
Sacraments of Healing
“The Lord Jesus Christ, physicians of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health (Cf. Mk2:1-12), has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacraments of Anointing of the Sick.”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1421)PENANCE (Reconciliation)
After having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1457.) However, we are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Penance monthly throughout our lifetime so that we can benefit from the graces we obtain through reception of this sacrament.
The Sacrament of Penance is offered, please check the schedule for confessions or contact Father Alejandro at (240) 780-8823. Additional opportunities for confession are offered sometimes before or after Masses and at specified times in Lent and Advent.
ANOINTING OF THE SICKThe Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is the proper sacrament for those Catholics who have attained the use of reason and whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age. Through this sacrament, the Church comforts and supports the person who is suffering and continues the healing ministry of Christ.
Please contact the rectory at any time, when a relative or fellow parishioner is sick or hospitalized. Please leave a message or send a text message to Father Alejandro if it is an emergency (240) 780-8823.
Sacraments at the Service of Communion
“Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1534)
HOLY ORDERS
The Office of Worship, the Office for Priestly Vocations and the Office for the Diaconate of the Archdiocese of Washington collaborate in the preparation and celebration of the rites of Ordination. If you are considering your vocation and wondering if you are called to the priesthood, contact a priest or the Archdiocese of Washington Vocations Director to discuss what God may have in store for you.
MATRIMONY
Couples wishing to marry should contact one of the parish priests at least 12 months prior to the anticipated wedding date. The purpose of this period is to involve the couple actively in a process through which they can judge not only their readiness to marry, but also their ability to communicate on vital issues. Preparation time allows the couple to come to a deeper knowledge of each other and of the sacrament they will receive, including the reasons for its indissolubility.
Affidavit regarding the free status of the bride or groom:
Two witnesses for each party must be interviewed using the Affidavit Form.
Parental testimony is always preferred and should only be neglected for grave reasons.
To view a PDF Affidavit Form
in English click here
or in Spanish click here.
-
-
Contact the Rectory
Parish Secretary
[email protected]
(301) 773-9300 -
Journey with Pope Francis:SacramentAL Cathecisis
Pope Francis provided a short Catechese on each Sacrament during his Wednesday audiences. Click through the Sacraments below to learn more about each Sacrament through the words of our Holy Father.
Baptism: Part 1 & Part 2
Reconciliation
The Eucharist: Part 1 & Part 2
Confirmation
Marriage
Annointing of Sick
Holy Orders
-
