Sacraments

The Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism incorporates the baptized into the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ on earth. The sacrament of baptism ushers us into the divine life and is the foundation for the sacramental life. Baptism frees us from the bondage of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Today, the sacrament of baptism is often given to infants.  Adult baptisms take place at the Easter Vigil through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. Adults or children who have been baptized in a valid Christian church are not baptized again in the Catholic church.

Schedule and guidelines

Baptisms are offered on two Saturdays per month at 1:00 PM in the upper Church. Check the request form for specific dates and current availability. Instruction for parents and godparents is held once a month on ZOOM prior to the first Baptism date of the month.  

Click to access the form and kindly fill out the information, select your desired date, and submit your request. Contact Deacon Bob at [email protected] with any questions.

The liturgical life of the Church revolves around the sacraments, with the Eucharist at the center. At Mass, we are fed by the Word and nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ. We believe that the Risen Jesus is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is not a sign or symbol of Jesus; rather we receive Jesus himself in and through the Eucharistic species. The priest, through the power of his ordination and the action of the Holy Spirit, transforms the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus. This is called transubstantiation.

The Catechism teaches that all Catholics who have received their First Holy Communion are welcome to receive Eucharist at Mass unless in a state of mortal sin. The Church also requires Catholics to receive Holy Communion at least once per year. Receiving the Eucharist changes us. It signifies and effects the unity of the community and serves to strengthen the Body of Christ.

When: First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion sacraments are prepared for and administered to 2nd grade students each year during the spring with First Holy Communion Masses scheduled on a Saturday and Sunday in late April or early May.

Contact: Your child must be enrolled in either Saint Joseph School or the Faith Formation Program to prepare for this important sacrament. If you wish to enroll your child in Faith Formation classes, please contact Alison Burton at 781-444-0245, option 3. 

Reconciliation is a great source of grace and Catholics are encouraged to take advantage of it often. A mature understanding of sin includes reflecting upon our thoughts, actions and omissions as well as examining the patterns of sin that may arise in our lives. With contrite hearts, we are also called to reflect upon the effects of our sins upon the wider community and how we might participate in sinful systems. Contrition and conversion lead us to seek a forgiveness for our sins so as to repair damaged relationships with God, self, and others. We believe that only ordained priests have the faculty of absolving sins from the authority of the Church in the name of Jesus Christ. Our sins are forgiven by God, through the priest.

When: Saturdays from 2:30 to 3:30 PM in the upper church's former Baptistry. Confessions can also be arranged by appointment.

At confirmation we renew our baptismal promises and commit to living a life of maturity in the Christian faith. Confirmation perfects our Baptism and brings us the graces of the Holy Spirit that were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday. Greater awareness of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conferred through the anointing of chrism oil and the laying on of hands by the Bishop.

When: In the Archdiocese of Boston, the age for receiving Confirmation is changing from 10th grade to 8th grade. This change is expected to be complete by the year 2027.  Please click here to learn more about the Confirmation program. 

Contact: To enroll a student, contact the Faith Formation Office at 781-444-0245, option 4. 

The Sacrament of Marriage is a visible sign of God’s love for the Church. When a man and a woman are married in the Church, they receive the grace needed for a lifelong bond of unity. Marriage is a covenantal union in the image of the covenants between God and his people with Abraham and later with Moses at Mt. Sinai. In this way, marriage is a union that bonds spouses together during their entire lifetime. The love in a married relationship is exemplified in the total gift of one’s self to another.

When: A preparation period of six months or longer must be allowed between your initial contact with the Parish and your wedding date to allow time for a required Marriage Preparation Program. For a schedule of Marriage Preparation programs visit Transformed in Love (Engaged Couples) | Evangelize Boston. 

Contact: Contact one of the parish priests by calling 781-444-0245 to schedule a date for your marriage.

The Catholic sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction, is administered to the dying, to those about to undergo a serious operation, or anyone struggling with an illness. Unlike the traditional understanding of the Last Rites, the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is, ideally, to be administered in a communal celebration. The healing that occurs in this sacrament of anointing is not necessarily physical healing. While we believe that physical healing can occur through the great power of God, the grace that is infused through this special sacrament is the reminder of the eternal presence of God in our human suffering.

Contact: Please call the Parish Office at 781-444-0245 to schedule the Anointing.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Christ's priesthood, which He bestowed upon His Apostles. There are three levels to this sacrament: the episcopate, the priesthood, and the diaconate. Ordination is the rite at which the Sacrament of Holy Orders is bestowed. The bishop confers the Sacrament of Holy Orders by the laying on of hands which confers on a man the grace and spiritual power to celebrate the Church’s sacraments. Deacons, priest and bishops are essential to the Catholic Church because we believe that they continue the work begun by the apostles.

Contact: If you are interested in learning more, please contact one of the Parish priests at the Parish Office on 781-444-0245.