The sacraments are not simply rituals marking important moments in Christian life but privileged means through which believers are called to grow in holiness, said Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC).
The cardinal made the remarks September 2 while releasing Understanding the Sacraments: To Become Holy, a new book by Fr. Tony S. Fernandes, SFX, a Pilar priest and liturgy specialist, at Bishop’s House in Panaji, the capital of Goa on India’s western coast.
Expressing his joy at the book’s publication, Cardinal Ferrão connected its theme with the universal Christian vocation to holiness.
Reflecting on St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, he recalled that God has blessed believers with every spiritual blessing and chosen them “before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him.”
“This call to holiness is a call given by God to every baptized follower of Jesus,” the cardinal said.
Holiness, therefore, is not a vocation reserved for a select few but an invitation extended to every baptized Christian. The sacraments play a central role in helping believers respond to that call, he said.
Describing the sacraments as “a treasure left behind by Jesus for his disciples,” Cardinal Ferrão emphasized their transformative purpose.
“The sacraments are the privileged means for us to grow in holiness,” he said.
The cardinal also stressed that sacramental life should extend beyond personal spiritual growth and influence how Christians live and relate to others.
Those who receive the grace of the sacraments are called “to create an environment of holiness around us wherever we are, wherever we live, wherever we work,” he said.
Cardinal Ferrão expressed hope that the book would help readers understand more deeply their Christian vocation and translate their participation in the sacraments into a daily journey of holiness.
“I’m sure this meaningful, thought-provoking book by Father Tony Fernandes will help many people who read it to understand their call to holiness,” he said.
He also encouraged Catholics to support one another in responding to the call to holiness.
The book, he said, should help the faithful “to grow every day of their lives along the path of holiness and help one another to become holy.”
Congratulating Fr. Tony on the publication, Cardinal Ferrão expressed hope that the book would contribute to the spiritual formation of Catholics and deepen their appreciation of the sacraments.
Understanding the Sacraments: To Become Holy is published by the Xavierian Publication Society, Pilar, in English and Konkani. The book carries the Imprimatur of Cardinal Ferrão.
Fr. Aleixo Menezes, parish priest of Our Lady of Health Church in Cuncolim and Censor Deputatus for the book, wrote the introduction, highlighting the author’s contribution to liturgical formation.
The launch was attended by Fr. Joaquim Loiola Pereira, secretary to the Archbishop; Fr. Joseph Fernandes, central delegate superior of the Society of Pilar; and others.
The book’s release comes as Catholic communities continue to emphasize the connection between sacramental participation, spiritual formation and the call of all the baptized to live out their Christian vocation in daily life.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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