The Seven Sacraments

The seven 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.

These seven signs of Jesus that the Church dispenses convey the free gift of sanctifying grace to the recipient. The amount of grace given is infinite; The amount of grace received depends on the state of our soul. The purer our soul, the more sanctifying grace gets through.

Baptism

Baptism marks the entry of the believer into the Christian community. Along with Confirmation and Eucharist, it is one of the Sacraments of Initiation, giving access to the full sacramental life of the Church.

Reconciliation

Many of us regret things we have done or fail to do, words we have said or thoughts we have harbored, things we are too embarrassed or ashamed to admit. Confession is above all a place of healing, not a place of judgment or punishment.

Eucharist

The Eucharist is the sacrament in which we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. The Church teaches that Christ is really present in the bread and wine that have been consecrated by the priest at Mass.

Confirmation

Before Jesus was put to death, He promised His followers that He would send His Spirit to comfort and strengthen them. The Holy Spirit was poured out on them on Pentecost.

Matrimony

All love comes from God, and all love reflects the love that God has for His creation. The Sacrament of Marriage is, first and foremost, a sign and symbol of this love

Holy Orders

Each of us is to exercise our priesthood by strengthening and serving one another. Within the Church there are many means of service. One way of service stands out as a sacrament.

Anointing of the Sick

Part of Jesus’ ministry was to heal the sick, and He went about curing those who were ill or disabled, showing that suffering and death have no place in the Kingdom of God.