Sacraments

The sacraments are Christian rites which the Church defines as outward signs of an inward grace. In this way, these sacraments reveal God's grace in a way that is directly observable to both the participant and the witness. The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments instituted by Christ:

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit. — Matthew 28:19

Baptism begins your child’s journey of faith. As a welcoming parish community, St. Ignatius of Loyola Church is committed to help you in every possible way as you raise your child in faith.

First time parents are expected to attend a baptismal preparation session. To arrange this, contact Sister Diane Vallerio through the Parish Office. Families with school-age children looking to begin their Christian initiation through baptism should contact Liz Turnwald through the Parish Office for preparation for the sacrament.

Baptism Brochure

Baptism Form

Bautismos

Los bautismos en español se celebran normalmente durante o después de la Misa dominical de las 12:30 o los sábados dependiendo de la disponibilidad de un sacerdote o diácono para presidir..

Los padres que bautizan a su hijo por primera vez deben participar en una sesión de Preparación Bautismal, los padrinos son bienvenidos a participar. Las sesiones suelen celebrarse un sábado al mes por la mañana. Póngase en contacto con Berta Alvarado (ignatius@bc.edu) para más información.

Bautismos en la Parroquia

Forme de los Bautismos

And when Paul laid [his] hands on them, the holy Spirit came upon them
— Acts 19:6

Confirmation is final sacrament of initiation, when a Catholic is sealed with the Holy Spirit. Once someone is confirmed, they are in full communion with the Catholic Church. This formational process is enlivened by the distinct Jesuit character of St. Ignatius Parish. We integrate consistent exposure to the Ignatian spiritual tradition, service and social justice experience, opportunities to grapple with the central beliefs of the Catholic faith, and community development with other candidates as they build the foundation for a mature and lifelong faith.

The preparation for Confirmation is a period of active discernment, and as such St. Ignatius facilitates a two-year program to form high schoolers in our Catholic faith:

Confirmation I - Called to be Catholic

This first year of Confirmation prep introduces students to the foundational beliefs of the Catholic faith and lays a theological foundation for further formation. Confirmation I also invites students to join in active participation in our liturgies, establishing their relationship with St. Ignatius parish and with each other.

Confirmation II - Confirmed in the Spirit

The second year of formation continues the education of students who went through Confirmation I. Confirmation II provides further opportunities to join in our liturgies, volunteer around the parish, and go on retreat with their classmates—this year is the chance for young people to deepen their relationships with each other and with the entire parish community.

Confirmation Age

In 2025–2026, students entering 7th Grade will begin Confirmation I. Students entering 8th–9th Grade, who have already completed Confirmation I, will go through Confirmation II.

Click here for a complete description of transition timeline.

We expect candidates for Confirmation to be registered St. Ignatius parishioners and active participants in our Sunday liturgies and parish life. If you have any questions about Confirmation classes at St. Ignatius (i.e. if your child attends an independent Catholic school), please contact Liz Turnwald through the Parish Office.

Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. — Ephesians 4:32

The sacrament of Reconciliation makes God's gift of forgiveness a tangible reality in our lives. During confession, we place ourselves in the presence of God and acknowledge our sins, and in the absolution we are reconciled to both God and His Church. Reconciliation restores us to a proper relationship with God. As the Catechism reminds us, when our sins are forgiven, we are free to forgive the sins of others. Reconciliation restores us

Reconciliation is offered on Saturdays from 3–3:45 p.m. in the Upper Church or by appointment. Contact the Parish Office.

I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. — John 6:35

First Communion is the second sacrament of initiation, when a person receives Jesus Christ in the Eucharist for the first time. Our expectation is that a child pursuing this sacrament has already been baptized and participated in at least one year of Faith Formation. First Communion are open to students in Grade 2 and above and is offered in both English and Spanish.

Families may register their child for First Communion when they sign up for Faith Formation classes in the fall.

Faith Formation

We do expect that families be active participants in our Sunday liturgies and classroom instruction throughout the year. Consistent class attendance is required in order for a child to be on track to receive the sacraments. If there are circumstances that might impact your child’s attendance, please let us know upon registering so that we can make necessary arrangements. Additional preparation for these two sacraments includes a parent/child catechesis retreat prior to the reception of the sacraments.

Your family's needs may vary depending on each child. If your child has not yet been Baptized or is older than 2nd Grade, please contact the Parish Office and determine how to proceed.

First Reconciliation generally occurs during Lent. First Communion occurs on a Saturday in May in English and on a Sunday in May in Spanish.

Primera Comunión

Para ser elegible para recibir la Primera Confesión y la Primera Comunión, los niño/as deben haber recibido por lo menos un año de preparación religiosa.

Es necesario proveer una copia del Certificado de Bautismo de cada niño o niña que desee recibir la Primera Comunión. Si su niña o niño todavía no ha sido bautizado, por favor, contacte Oficina de la Parroquia. Los niño/as no bautizados no pueden recibir la Primera Comunión.

Los prepararemos para recibir el Bautismo si es necesario. Cuatro faltas son justificadas, si son más, queda al criterio de la dirección del programa si el niño/a será aceptado para hacer su Primera Comunión.

Formación en la Fe

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her. — Ephesians 5:25

In marriage, a couple bears witness to Christ's own love for the Church. Christ began his earthly ministry by blessing a wedding ceremony, and when two people come together and make this holy covenant, they recall the divine love between God and His people.

Marriage is the only sacrament not conferred by a priest, because the couple confers the grace of the sacrament to each other.

Plan your Wedding at St. Ignatius

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!” — Isaiah 6:8

While all baptized Christians share in Christ's royal priesthood, those who are ordained are uniquely enabled to administer the sacraments. At the Last Supper, Christ instituted the ministerial priesthood by making his apostles priests, and in turn they ordained holy men as their successors. Along with Marriage, Holy Orders is a Sacrament of Service, a call to give your life specially to someone else.

Today, men who have discerned Christ's call in their hearts through prayer, reflection, and the encouragement of the community begin a multi-year process of spiritual, academic, personal, and human formation, which leads to ordination. Married men also may be called to serve Christ's Church through the Sacrament of Holy Orders as permanent deacons in a parish or other ministry.

For more information, visit:
Become a Jesuit
Archdiocese of Boston Office of Vocations

Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and [. . .] the prayer of faith will save the sick person. — James 5:14–15

Christ is our Divine Physician, and in the sacrament of Anointing the Sick, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them of their sins, and sometimes the physical ailment as well. This sacrament is administered to give spiritual and physical strength in a grave illness or near the time of death.

St. Ignatius offers Anointing of the Sick at special Masses during the year, priests are on call to visit homes or hospital for those who are sick, facing surgery, or may be approaching death.

Contact the parish office at 617-552-6100 or ignatius@bc.edu.

By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully.
— Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the primary process for adults to prepare for Baptism or become full members of the Catholic Church. OCIA welcomes serious inquirers at all levels of knowledge, faith, and intent. The process culminates in the reception of one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist.

St. Ignatius Parish invites you to discern the decision to become a fully initiated Catholic. OCIA could be for you if:

You are an adult believer but have never been baptized
You were baptized in another Christian denomination
You are only exploring a relationship with God through the Catholic faith for the first timeCome and see if this is the best next step in your spiritual journey!

In the context of a supportive small-group learning community, we explore the richness of Catholicism and reflect on the meaning of faith in daily life. Beginning in mid-September, the OCIA group meets on alternate Tuesdays from 7:00–8:30pm, and concludes in early May. Those being baptized for the first time and Christians from other denominations being received into the Church celebrate the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil each year. The ceremony for Catholics receiving Confirmation will be held in May.

Interested in learning more? Please register using the link below, and the OCIA team will contact you with more information.

OCIA Inquiry Form

What is OCIA?

"The darkness of death should be confronted with a more intense work of love. ‘My God, lighten my darkness!’ is the invocation of evening prayer."
— Pope Francis

Although funerals do not have a sacrament of their own, they do have a special liturgy within the Catholic Church. St. Ignatius is ready to come alongside you in this difficult period, with resources for planning a funeral and managing this difficult time.

Learn more

Sacraments

By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully. — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully.
— Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults