In the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, "the sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, through which divine life is granted to us. The visible rites celebrating the sacraments signify and make present the graces specific to each sacrament." 

The Church recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Penance, Eucharist, Confirmation, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. 

The first three sacraments—Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation—are known as the sacraments of initiation. The sacraments of Penance and Anointing of the Sick are considered sacraments of healing. The last two sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are referred to as the sacraments at the service of communion. Each sacrament requires a preparation process. Our website provides detailed information on how to register for each sacrament, as well as the steps involved in their preparation. You can learn more about the sacraments and our services by visiting the relevant pages listed in the left-hand column.


Adults seeking any Sacrament can also contact the Office of Youth Formation for further details.

Baptismal Seminars are held monthly in the Community Life Annex beginning at 6:00 pm. Check the parish bulletin or contact the church office for the date of the next seminar.
 
Those seeking to baptize a child are to complete the registration form below or contact the church office Monday-Friday between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm. Registration is necessary before attending the seminar. While the Church only requires one qualified Godparent for a child to be baptized, two Godparents may be chosen, although in this case, one must be male and one female.  Anyone who is to be a Godparent must meet the qualifications established by the Church, which are as follows: Godparents must be practicing Catholics who have received the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Godparents must be at least 16 years old and lead a life in harmony with the faith. If married, the proposed Godparents must be in a marriage recognized by the Church. If not married, they must not be simulating marriage by living with someone.

 The registration forms below are to be returned to the church office.
Baptism Registration Form (pdf)
Godparent Sponsor Form (pdf)

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First Communion
The Sacraments of First Eucharist (Communion) require two years of preparation. Students in Catholic Elementary Schools are to register for 2nd-grade Youth Formation with their church parish after completing 1st-grade religion in the Catholic School. Students in the Youth Formation program must attend classes for the 1st and 2nd grades before receiving these Sacraments.

Contact the Church Office at 985-446-6801, Ext. 5, for information on Youth Formation or email the Office of Youth Formation at [email protected] for more details.

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Conformation
The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux provides a two-year program for youth in grades 10 and 11. Confirmation students must be registered in the Youth Formation program in their home parish, even if they attend Catholic High School. 

The program consists of at least 20 hours of classroom instruction, two retreats, and other Sacramental Preparation. 

The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated at the end of the 11th grade program. Youth in the program travel on a faith journey with youth ministers, their sponsors, and parents. Youth and adults who have left the Youth Formation program and wish to confirm should email the Office of Youth Formation at [email protected] for more details or call the Church Office at 985-446-6801, Ext. 5 for Youth Formation.

The Sacraments of First Reconciliation (Penance) and First Eucharist (communion) require two years of preparation. Students in Catholic Elementary Schools are to register for 2nd-grade Youth Formation with their church parish after completing 1st-grade religion in the Catholic School. 
                                                                Students in the Youth Formation program must attend classes for the 1st and 2nd grades before receiving these Sacraments. 

Contact the Church Office at 985-446-6801, Ext. 5, for information on Youth Formation or email the Office of Youth Formation at [email protected] for more details.

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Anointing of the Sick

In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick,through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his dying and rising.

The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.

When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.

~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults 

Contact the church office at 985-446-6801 to have a priest administer the Sacrament. This Sacrament can be received more than once.

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 no.1536)
 
Integration into one of these bodies in the Church was accomplished by a rite called ordinatio, a religious and liturgical act which was a consecration, a blessing, or a sacrament. Today the word "ordination" is reserved for the sacramental act which integrates a man into the order of bishops, presbyters, or deacons, and goes beyond a simple election, designation, delegation, or institution by the community, for it confers a gift of the Holy Spirit that permits the exercise of a "sacred power" (sacra potestas)⁵ which can come only from Christ himself through his Church. Ordination is also called consecratio, for it is a setting apart and an investiture by Christ himself for his Church. The laying on of hands by the bishop, with the consecratory prayer, constitutes the visible sign of this ordination. (Catechism of the Catholic Church no.1538)
 
Contact the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for more information about Vocations to the Priesthood.

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Matrimony

To arrange the Sacrament of Matrimony, please make sure to do so at least six months before your desired wedding date. Contact the church office at (985)446-6801 to set up a meeting with the priest and schedule your wedding date.

 

According to church policy, at least one partner must be a registered parishioner. If neither partner is a parishioner but wishes to be married at St. Bridget Church, you must obtain permission from your local pastor before proceeding with arrangements at St. Bridget.

 

Additionally, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux requires that the prospective bride and groom meet with a member of the clergy at their home parish at least six months before the wedding date. The couple must also complete the Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program, which includes regular meetings with clergy, the FOCCUS assessment, and attendance at a Pre-Cana Retreat weekend.