Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church officially recognizes seven sacraments, which are seen as mystical channels of divine grace, instituted by Jesus Christ. The seven sacraments are divided into three categories: Sacrament of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation), Sacraments of Healing (Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick), and Sacraments at the Service of Communion (Matrimony and Holy Orders).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of sacraments | 7 |
| First sacrament | Baptism |
| Other sacraments | Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony |
| Purpose of sacraments | To unite Catholics with Jesus and one another |
| Nature of sacraments | Outer signs of an inner grace; visible and invisible reality |
| Administered by | Bishops or priests |
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What You'll Learn
The seven sacraments of the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church has seven holy sacraments that are seen as mystical channels of divine grace, instituted by Jesus Christ. Each is celebrated with a visible rite, which reflects the invisible, spiritual essence of the sacrament. They are as follows:
Baptism
Baptism is the foundational sacrament of Christian initiation, instituted by Christ to cleanse individuals from original sin and incorporate them into the Church. It is seen as the sacrament of admission to the faith, bringing sanctifying grace to the person being baptized. In Catholicism, the baptism of infants is the most common form, but unbaptized children or adults who wish to join the faith must also receive the sacrament. A person is to be baptized only once in their life, and the Catholic Church recognizes baptisms done by most other Christian denominations as valid.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the second sacrament of Christian initiation. It serves to “confirm” a baptized person in their faith. The rite of confirmation can occur as early as age 7 for children who were baptized as infants but is commonly received around age 13; it is performed immediately after baptism for adult converts. A bishop or priest normally performs the rite, which includes the laying on of hands in prayer and blessing and the anointing of the forehead with chrism (holy oil).
Eucharist
The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is another sacrament of initiation and can be received daily if desired. It is the central rite of Catholic worship. A baptized child’s First Communion is usually celebrated around age seven or eight and is preceded by their first confession (the sacrament of Reconciliation). During the mass, the priest consecrates bread and wine, the elements of the Eucharist, which are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ.
Penance and Reconciliation
Also known as Confession, this is the sacrament of spiritual healing of a baptized person from the distancing from God resulting from sins committed. When people sin after baptism, they cannot have baptism as a remedy; Baptism, which is a spiritual regeneration, cannot be given a second time. A prayer of contrition is offered at the end of the confession, and the newly absolved Catholic is urged to refrain from repeating those sins.
Anointing of the Sick
Formerly known as Extreme Unction, this sacrament is administered to give strength and comfort to the ill and to mystically unite their suffering with that of Christ during his Passion and death. This sacrament can be given to those who are afflicted with serious illness or injury, those who are awaiting surgery, the weakened elderly, or to ill children who are old enough to understand its significance. A person can receive the sacrament as many times as needed throughout their life, and it may be celebrated during Mass or anywhere it is needed, including at the home or hospital of the sick person.
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is a sacrament that is available only to men who are being ordained as deacons, priests, or bishops.
Matrimony
In Catholicism, marriage is a sacrament that a baptized man and a baptized woman administer to each other through their marriage vows and lifelong partnership. Given that to a Catholic sacramental marriage reflects the union of Christ with the church as his mystical body, marriage is understood to be an indissoluble union. The rite commonly takes place during a mass, with a priest serving as the minister of the mass and as a witness to the mutual consent of the couple.
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Baptism as the first sacrament
The Catholic Church celebrates seven sacraments, which are seen as mystical channels of divine grace, instituted by Christ. The seven sacraments are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
Baptism is the first sacrament that Catholics receive. It is the sacrament of admission to the faith, bringing sanctifying grace to the person being baptized. In Catholicism, the baptism of infants is the most common form, but unbaptized children or adults who wish to join the faith must also receive the sacrament. A person is to be baptized only once in their life, and the Catholic Church recognizes baptisms done by most other Christian denominations as valid.
During the Sacrament of Baptism, holy water is usually sprinkled or poured on the head of the person being baptized by a priest who simultaneously invokes the Trinity with the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The outward sign of water symbolizes that the person being baptized dies to sin and rises to new life in Christ, purified and sanctified. The old self is said to die in the waters, and a new self emerges, mirroring the death and resurrection of Christ.
Baptism is also the sacrament of regeneration and initiation into the church. It was begun by Jesus, who accepted baptism from St. John the Baptist and also ordered the Apostles to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. According to the teaching of St. Paul, baptism is death to a former life and the emergence of a new person.
Given that the sacrament is understood as a requirement for salvation, anyone, even non-baptized persons, can baptize someone as the situation requires.
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Confirmation as the second sacrament
The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments, and among these, Confirmation is the second sacrament, often administered in conjunction with First Communion. Confirmation is a ritual through which individuals, primarily young adults, affirm their commitment to Christianity and their faith in God. It is seen as a completion of the grace received in the Sacrament of Baptism. The sacrament is administered by a bishop or an abbot through the laying of hands and anointing with sacred chrism oil, usually on the forehead, accompanied by the words, "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." This sacramental act is believed to bestow the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon the recipient.
Confirmation plays a vital role in the spiritual growth and development of Catholics. It is often viewed as a coming-of-age ceremony, marking the transition from childhood to adulthood within the faith community. During the ceremony, the confirmandi, or the person being confirmed, takes on a new name, often a saint's name, as a symbol of their renewed identity in Christ. This new name represents the individual's confirmation of their faith and their intention to live a life modeled after Christ and the saints.
In the Catholic tradition, Confirmation is considered a sacrament of maturation and empowerment. Through this sacrament, individuals receive the strength and courage to live out their Christian vocation and actively participate in the life and mission of the Church. It is believed that the Holy Spirit, through the sacrament of Confirmation, bestows upon the recipient the sevenfold gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These gifts are understood to perfect the virtues received in Baptism and strengthen the individual's resolve to follow Christ's teachings.
The ritual of Confirmation has its roots in the early Christian community. In the New Testament, we find references to the apostles laying hands on new believers, imparting to them the gift of the Holy Spirit, and empowering them to carry out their missionary work. For instance, in the Acts of the Apostles, we read about the apostles Peter and John laying hands on the Samaritans, who had previously been baptized by Philip, and bestowing upon them the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). Such biblical accounts provide a foundation for the sacrament of Confirmation in Catholic theology.
Confirmation is a significant milestone in the spiritual journey of Catholics, and its effects are believed to be lifelong. Through this sacrament, individuals are equipped with the spiritual tools necessary to face the challenges and responsibilities of their faith. It is a reminder that, as members of the Church, they are called to be witnesses of Christ in their daily lives and to actively contribute to the building up of God's kingdom on earth. By receiving Confirmation, Catholics affirm their willingness to answer this call and embrace their role as disciples of Christ.
Preparation for Confirmation usually involves a period of instruction and spiritual formation. Candidates for Confirmation, or confirmandi, undergo catechesis, where they learn about the teachings of the Catholic Church, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the significance of the sacrament in their lives. This period of preparation is intended to help them develop a deeper understanding of their faith and foster a personal relationship with God, thus enabling them to make a conscious and informed decision to confirm their Christian commitment.
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Eucharist as the Sacrament of Sacraments
The Catholic Church celebrates seven sacraments, which are seen as mystical channels of divine grace, instituted by Christ. Each is celebrated with a visible rite, reflecting the invisible, spiritual essence of the sacrament. The seven sacraments are:
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist
- Penance and Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
- Matrimony
The Eucharist is considered the "source and summit" of the Christian life, and is the most important of the seven sacraments. It is also referred to as the "Sacrament of Sacraments". The Eucharist is a celebration of the Last Supper, the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, using elements of bread and wine. The bread and wine symbolise the body and blood of Christ, and the Eucharist is seen as a spiritual feeding of participants with the body and blood of Christ.
The Eucharist is the culmination of God's action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship offered to Christ. It is also a memorial of Christ's Passover, commemorating the work of salvation accomplished by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. The Eucharist is the heart of the Church's life, in which Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered to his Father.
The Eucharist is also offered in reparation for the sins of the living and the dead, and to obtain spiritual or temporal benefits from God. It is a pledge of future glory, filling participants with grace and heavenly blessings. It fortifies the faithful for their life on Earth and makes them long for eternal life. It is a unique presence of Christ, uniting the faithful with Christ, the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin, and all the saints.
The liturgical action of the Eucharist is traditionally known as the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Mass is a Roman Catholic service of worship that involves receiving Holy Communion. The Church obliges the faithful to participate in Holy Mass at least once a year, and to receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter season.
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Marriage as a sacrament
Catholicism recognizes seven holy sacraments, which are seen as mystical channels of divine grace, instituted by Christ. Each is celebrated with a visible rite, which reflects the invisible, spiritual essence of the sacrament. While some sacraments are received only once, others require active and ongoing participation to foster a "living faith" in the celebrant.
Marriage, or Matrimony, is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It is a little different from the other six sacraments in that matrimony originates in nature rather than in a distinct act of Christ. Marriage is a sacrament that a baptized man and a baptized woman administer to each other through their marriage vows and lifelong partnership. Given that, to a Catholic, sacramental marriage reflects the union of Christ with the Church as his mystical body, marriage is understood to be an indissoluble union.
The rite commonly takes place during a mass, with a priest serving as the minister of the mass and as a witness to the mutual consent of the couple. The marriage union is used to sanctify both the husband and wife by drawing them into a deeper understanding of God’s love and is intended to be fruitful, with any children to be raised within the teachings of the Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the sacrament confers on the couple the grace they need for attaining holiness in their married life and for the responsible acceptance and upbringing of their children. For a valid marriage, a man and a woman must express their conscious and free consent to a definitive self-giving to the other, excluding none of the essential properties and aims of marriage. If one of the two is a non-Catholic Christian, their marriage is licit only if the permission of the competent authority of the Catholic Church is obtained.
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Frequently asked questions
There are seven sacraments in the Catholic religion.
The seven sacraments of the Catholic Church are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
The first sacrament Catholics receive is Baptism, which is seen as the sacrament of admission to the faith.
