The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions. (CCC1131)
Jesus Christ instituted the sacraments. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian’s life of faith. (CCC1210)
The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify men, to build up the Body of Christ and, finally, to give worship to God. (CCC1123)
There are three sacraments of Christian initiation, two sacraments of healing; and two sacraments at the service of communion and the mission of the faithful. (CCC1211)
The sacraments of Christian initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist – lay the foundations of every Christian life. The faithful are born again by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity. (CCC1212)
The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, forgave sins and restored the sick to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. (CCC1421)
Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God. Through these sacraments those who have already been baptized can receive particular consecrations. Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders are consecrated in Christ’s name to the ministry of the ordained. On the other hand, those who receive the sacrament of Matrimony are consecrated for the duties and dignity of Christian spouses and parents. (CCC1534-1535)
If you wish to become Catholic, or if you are baptized Catholic and you wish to receive the other sacraments, please contact us.