Sacraments

The sacraments are “efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us” – Catechism of the Catholic Church 1131 (CCC 1131): a sacrament is a sacred and visible sign of Jesus’ presence in our lives and a means of receiving God’s grace.

The Church celebrates the seven sacraments which “touch all the stages and all important moments of the Christian life” (CCC 1210). The seven sacraments are divided into three categories:

Sacraments of Initiation - The foundation of Christian Life

Sacraments of healing – Celebrate the healing power of Jesus

Sacraments at the Service of Communion – Grow through their Service to Others

Sacrament of Initiation

Baptism

In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. Baptism takes away original sin and gives us a new birth in the Holy Spirit. In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ's call to holiness. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever-deeper love. Its sign is the pouring of water.

Sacrament of Initiation

Eucharist

The Eucharist nourishes our life of faith. The Church draws her life from the Eucharist. This truth does not simply express a daily experience of faith but recapitulates the heart of the mystery of the Church. Holy Communion increases our union with Christ. Just as bodily food sustains our physical life, so Holy Communion nourishes our spiritual life. This Communion moves us away from sin, strengthening our moral resolve to avoid evil and turn ever more powerfully toward God.

Its signs are the bread and wine we receive—the Body and Blood of Christ.

Sacrament of Initiation

Confirmation

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ. Confirmation deepens the baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service. Like Baptism, Confirmation is received only once.

Its signs are the laying of hands on a person’s head and the anointing with oil.

Sacrament of Healing

Penance (Reconciliation)

Penance is an experience of the gift of God's boundless mercy. Through Penance, we receive God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness requires being sorry for our sins. In Penance, we receive Jesus’ healing grace through absolution by the priest.

Its signs are our confession of sins and the words of absolution.

Sacrament of Healing

Anointing of the Sick

This sacrament unites a sick person’s suffering with that of Jesus and brings forgiveness of sins. When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it is 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. Anointing of the Sick can be repeated whenever a person again falls into serious sickness or whenever a more serious crisis develops during the same sickness.

Its sign is the anointing of oil.

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Sacrament at the Service of Communion

Matrimony

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. It is a sacrament bringing the ongoing power of the Holy Spirit to the relationship and signifying the union of Christ with the Church. The commitment of marriage implies mutual support and affection and total faithfulness to one another in body and spirit. As the couple grows together through life, their love will be directed toward fruitfulness, family, and hospitality toward others.

Its signs are the couple and their wedding rings.

Sacrament at the Service of Communion

Holy Order

Ordination is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. In Holy Orders, men are ordained as priests, deacons, or bishops. Priests serve as spiritual leaders of their communities, and deacons serve to remind us of our baptismal call to help others. Bishops carry on the teachings of the apostles.

Its signs are the laying on of hands, anointing with oil, and placing of garments by the bishop.