St. Augustine described the Catholic Church’s Seven Sacraments as visible signs of invisible grace. Each Sacrament reminds us of Christ’s work in the Church and empowers believers to experience closeness with Him.
These are the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church:
Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Penance
Anointing of the sick
Matrimony
Holy orders
At the first Council of Trent, held from 1545-1547, leaders in the Roman Catholic Church clarified several Catholic doctrines, including the number and meaning of the Sacraments. The decisions made during this council continue to shape Catholic doctrine and tradition today.
We divide the Seven Sacraments into three categories:
Sacraments of Initiation
Sacraments of Healing
Sacraments of the Service of Communion
There are sacramental symbols to represent each. While some Sacraments are only celebrated once, others are practiced often throughout life.
Sacraments of Initiation
To understand the Sacraments of Initiation, you must understand Jesus’s life and work.
At birth, we are separated from God because of sin. Because God loves us, He sent His son Jesus to take the just consequences of sin in our place. Jesus willingly died for us because He loves the Father and wants us to experience fellowship and restoration with God. Three days after His death, Jesus rose from the dead — evidence that He conquered sin and its consequence, which is spiritual and physical death.
When a person puts their faith in Jesus as their personal savior, His atoning sacrifice covers their sin and makes them a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Believers receive the Holy Spirit, which lives inside them to provide teaching and comfort.
The three Sacraments of Initiation reflect this Gospel, or “good news,” that the Bible tells us about. Because of Jesus, being reconciled with God is possible for everyone who wants to start a relationship with Him.
1. Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism is traditionally performed when children are only a few weeks or months old. Baptism cleanses a person of original sin — a sin every person is born with as a result of Adam’s fall in the Book of Genesis. This Sacrament is meant to show that children are set apart for God.
During this ceremony, a Catholic priest sprinkles water over the child’s head while speaking Scripture over them. If an adult converts to Catholicism, they also go through this sacramental rite to begin their initiation into the faith.
2. Confirmation
Children as young as 7 can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, but most receive this sacrament as teenagers. Confirmation reflects Christ’s words about being baptized in the Holy Spirit and is meant to seal young people’s faith in Christ and demonstrate their commitment to following Him.
To complete this Sacrament, a priest anoints the child or young adult’s head with special oil, also known as sacred Chrism. As part of the ceremony, the priest says, “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” If adults wish to be confirmed, they must be baptized first.
3. Eucharist
The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is the most precious of all the Catholic Sacraments. Catholics partake in this Sacrament throughout their lives every time they attend Mass. First Communion is special and often celebrated when a child is around 7 years old.
During this Sacrament, the priest prays over bread and wine as Jesus did with His disciples before His death.
As determined by the Church fathers at the second Council of Trent, the bread and wine served during the Eucharist undergoes transubstantiation to become the real Body and Blood of Christ while retaining the appearance of bread and wine.
Sacraments of Healing
These Sacraments can be sought out and practiced as often as necessary throughout a believer’s life. They are meant to heal and restore Catholics who are suffering from sin or sickness.
4. Penance
Many people are familiar with the practice of confession, where Catholics confess their sins to a priest in private. Confession is part of the Sacrament of Penance, otherwise known as Reconciliation. After receiving the Sacrament of Penance, all of one’s confessed sins are forgiven. Many Catholics go to confession before they receive the Eucharist.
5. Anointing of the Sick
Catholics suffering from physical illness can ask a priest to anoint them and pray for their healing. Catholics often receive this Sacrament just before death, and priests speak a special blessing known as the Last Rites.
Sacraments of the Service of Communion
The final two Sacraments — Matrimony and Holy Orders — focus on the Catholic duty to serve others. When we serve others, we share the love of God with them. Practicing these Sacraments equips others to know and follow God, creating a fruitful and hopeful society.
6. Matrimony
Marriage is a holy union between two Catholics who can support each other in their faith. Scripture describes marriage as two people becoming one (Matthew 19). This Sacrament is celebrated when a believing couple gets married in a special church ceremony.
7. Holy Orders
This Sacrament is for men who wish to become priests. After their training and ordination ceremony, they work to build up the Church through ministry. This can include serving in a church, completing missions work, offering counseling and more.
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