By offering his living presence here at St. Anthony's parish, Jesus is our intimate companion and point of entry into the very life of the Triune God. The Church teaches that the sacraments are signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church. It is through the sacraments that divine life is given to us, and it is through the visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated that their graces are made present.

The sacraments bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1131). The laity (those who share in the priesthood of baptism) and the clergy (those who share in the priesthood of ordained ministry) celebrate the sacraments together, prepared by the Word of God and the faith that welcomes that Word. The sacraments strengthen faith and express faith, and their fruit is both personal and for the whole Church. There are seven sacraments. The Catechism of the Catholic Church categorizes them into three groups (for more information see links below) :

Sacrament of Baptism

Sacrament of Confirmation

Sacrament of the Eucharist

Sacrament of Penance

Anointing of the Sick

Sacrament of Marriage

Sacrament of Holy Orders

Sacrament of Baptism

“Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of the forgiveness of sins: it unites us to Christ, who died and rose, and gives us the Holy Spirit.” --Catechism of the Catholic Church 985

Through Baptism, the human person is washed clean of original sin and restored to the image and likeness of God. At St. Anthony's, baptisms are usually scheduled for the first Sunday of the month. Parents interested in arranging for the Sacrament of Baptism for their infant/child should call the parish office, 202-526-8822, to arrange for a date for baptismal preparation.

Sacrament of Confirmation

“Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.” –Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1316

The Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred on candidates from our parish 8th grade Confirmation preparation class by a bishop of the Archdiocese, usually in March.

For more information on Confirmation preparation, contact call Arthur Linder at 202-529-7558.

Sacrament of the Eucharist

“In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.’ ‘This presence is called 'real' - by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be 'real' too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present." –Catechism of the Catholic Church 1374

First Communion is in May for children in 2nd grade and above who have been prepared to receive the sacrament.

For more information, contact call Arthur Linder at 202-529-7558.

Sick and homebound parishioners should call the parish office, to arrange for a visit from an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

"The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship."–Catechism of the Catholic Church 1468

Men and women are in constant need of the Lord’s mercy, healing and renewal. Come experience the peace that only Christ can give as he washes away your sins, guilt and regret. Receive the grace to “go and sin no more” (Jn 8:11). If you have not been to Confession in a long time, ask the priest to help you. Wondering how to begin? Try this examination of conscience.

Confessions are heard by appointment and hours below:

Anointing of the Sick

“By the grace of this sacrament the sick person receives the strength and the gift of uniting himself more closely to Christ's Passion: in a certain way he is consecrated to bear fruit by configuration to the Savior's redemptive Passion. Suffering, a consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus.” --Catechism of the Catholic Church 1521

The Sacrament of the Sick is offered to sick and elderly parishioners in homes, hospitals, and hospices by calling the parish office, 202-526-8822.

Sacrament of 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. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament.” --Catechism of the Catholic Church 1660

The St. Anthony parish community rejoices with couples called to the Vocation of Marriage and Family. To celebrate the Sacrament at St. Anthony's, a bride or groom must be a registered parishioner of the parish. To schedule a date for your marriage, kindly contact the parish office at least six months in advance by contacting the parish office at 202-250-8208 or email [email protected].  With Pope Francis, the Church welcomes engaged men and women to "the joy of Yes forever".  

additional resources:

click here for online marriage preparation classes available thru the archdiocese.

Sacrament of Holy Orders

“Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.” --Catechism of the Catholic Church 1536

Men of the parish who feel called to the Sacrament of Holy Orders, either as priests or deacons, are encouraged to talk to the priests of the parish for guidance and counsel. DCPriest has additional resources and support for those who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood. For information about the permanent diaconate, visit here. Men and Women of the parish can find resources on the consecrated life here.