Sacred Symbols

SACRED S

YMBOLS

GO

D I

S NO

T “O

UT T

HE R

E ” , B

UT “

WI T

H

US ” I

N E

VE RY S

I NG

L E AS P E C

T OF O

UR

L I VE S A

ND

IN

TH

E WO

RL D

. H

E ’ S

T RY I NG

TO

RE A

CH

US T

HR

OU

GH

S Y MB

OL S

God and sacred actions are encountered in the ordinary things and events of everyday life.

Even though we don’t usually think this way, our visible actions communicate God’s invisible presence in the simplest of ways.

SENSE OF THE SACRAMENTAL

Hugs

Handshake

Good Conversation

Sharing Food

Laughter

Moments of grace

transform us,

Sometimes a little,

sometimes a lot.

Even if we don’t recognize God, Grace still helps us grow into the fullness of appreciating life.

“MOMENTS OF GRACE”

• A Handshake• A Peace sign• A Hug• Blowing out

candles• Watching the

ball drop• Fireworks• A Salute• A toast

Do You

See God

Here?

SYMBOLS IN OUR COMMUNITY

WE LOOK FOR WAYS TO CELEBRATE GOD’S PRESENCE IN THE ORDINARY MATERIAL WORLD.

SYMBOLS IN OUR SACRED

COMMUNITY

• Water• Wine• Oil• Bread • Rings• Ashes• Palms• Candles• Beads

Symbols in the church are powerful

ways to express meaning. A symbol’s

physical reality represents an invisible

reality.

We look for ways to celebrate God’s saving grace in ordinary materials and actions from everyday life.

QUESTIONS YO

U MAY

HAV

E

ABOUT TH

E SYM

BOLS O

F

THE

SEVEN S

ACRAMENTS

Why do couples exchange rings?

Why do we drink wine from the same cup?

Why do we take a Confirmation name?

How does a priest make water ‘holy’?

Why do we tell a priest what we did wrong?

What does the sign of the cross actually mean?

Why do we prepare in a class to receive first Communion and confirmation?

Why do we put oil on a person who is sick or dying?

Why are candles used at holy occasions?

Why

do w

e pou

r wat

er o

n bab

ies?