Index : B Baptism is not only the first of the seven sacraments;
it is also the basic sacrament. How? Unless a person is
baptized, none of the other six sacraments can be received. Only
a baptized person can be confirmed. Only a baptized person can
receive absolution in the sacrament of Confession. Only a
baptized person can receive the sacrament of Matrimony. Only a
baptized man can be validly ordained a priest. With this
meditation, we begin the public life of Jesus Christ. We call it
the public life to distinguish the 30 years of Christs hidden
life at Nazareth. We also call it the public life because it
represents Christs reaching out to the world publicly. After
discussing the Baptist terminology for Eucharist, Crabtree
outlines Baptist Eucharistic tradition Hardon summarizes
traditional Roman Catholic Eucharistic teaching on real
presence, the sacrifice of the Mass, and communion. The Basic
Catholic Catechism by Fr. John Hardon is a textbook for the
training of teachers of religion. It is adapted for th