St Anthony's Parish

Sacraments

Introduction

Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven sacraments: Baptism, the Eucharist, Penance, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life.

Baptism

Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord's will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism. Since the earliest times, Baptism has been administered to children. If you would like your child to be baptised, or to receive baptism as an adult, please contact the Parish Office to arrange a date.

Confession

The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation. There is always a priest hearing confessions on Saturdays at noon. If you need urgent confession you can arrange an appointment calling one of the priests directly. During Lent and Advent there are communal penance services with personal hearing of sins and general absolution.

Eucharist

The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church's life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to his Father; by this sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on his Body which is the Church.

To register for First Holy Communion classes, please contact the parish office. For classes timetable, click here.

Confirmation

Once per year, in springtime, we receive the visit of an Irish bishop who celebrates the rite of Confirmation on the students of the Confirmation programme. To register for the Confirmation programme, please contact the parish office.

Marriage

The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. St. Anthony's Parish functions as the "English language Catholic Chaplaincy" for the Brussels area and in this capacity has organised a pre-marriage programme for a number of years.

If you are planning to get married within the Catholic Church, it is mandatory to follow a pre-marriage course. St Anthony's functions as the "English language Catholic chaplaincy" for the Brussels area and because of the nature of the chaplaincy and the public it serves, the programme is compressed into a single day, typically taking place on a Saturday between 11:00 and 17:00. The programme is run 3 times a year and notices will be placed in Words several weeks in advance. Contact the Parish office for further details.

If you wish to celebrate your wedding in our church please contact the Parish Office.

Sacred Orders

The whole Church is a priestly people. Through Baptism all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. This participation is called the "common priesthood of the faithful." Based on this common priesthood and ordered to its service, there exists another participation in the mission of Christ: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders. If you feel the call of God for priesthood contact our priests who can give you advice or indicate where you can find a seminar.

Anointing of the sick

The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick has as its purpose the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age. If you know someone sick who must urgently receive the holy sacraments of Penance or the anointing of the sick call the office. Praying for the sick takes an important part in the liturgy of the Holy Mass and all parishioners are encouraged to pray for the people suffering in our parish and beyond.

Christian Funeral

The Christian funeral confers on the deceased neither a sacrament nor a sacramental since he has "passed" beyond the sacramental economy. It is nonetheless a liturgical celebration of the Church. If someone close to you has died recently please contact the office in order to organise a Christian funeral.