What are the seven sacraments?

The seven sacraments are Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Christ instituted them as visible signs that truly communicate His grace (CCC 1113, 1131).

What a sacrament is. A sacrament uses created things, such as water, oil, bread, wine, spoken words, and human touch, to accomplish a work of God. Sacraments do more than symbolize grace. Christ acts through them, giving the grace each sacrament signifies when it is validly celebrated and received with the proper disposition (CCC 1127-1128). Their power comes from Christ, although a fruitful reception also calls for faith, repentance, and openness to grace.

The sacraments of initiation. These establish the foundation of Christian life (CCC 1212):

1. Baptism frees a person from sin, gives new birth in Christ, and incorporates the person into the Church (Jn 3:5; CCC 1213).
2. Confirmation strengthens baptismal grace through a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, helping the Christian witness to Christ faithfully (Acts 8:14-17; CCC 1285).
3. The Eucharist is the sacrament in which Christ gives His true Body and Blood under the appearances of bread and wine. It is the source and summit of Christian life (Jn 6:53-56; CCC 1324).

The sacraments of healing. Christ continues His work of forgiveness and healing through two sacraments (CCC 1421):

1. Penance, or Reconciliation, forgives sins committed after Baptism and reconciles the sinner with God and the Church (Jn 20:22-23; CCC 1446).
2. Anointing of the Sick gives strength, peace, courage, and spiritual healing to those seriously weakened by illness or old age. It may also bring physical healing if that serves the person’s salvation (Jas 5:14-15; CCC 1520-1523).

The sacraments at the service of communion. Holy Orders and Matrimony serve the salvation of others and build up the People of God (CCC 1534). Through Holy Orders, bishops, priests, and deacons receive a sacred ministry in the Church. In Matrimony, a baptized man and woman enter a lifelong covenant ordered toward their good and the generation and education of children (CCC 1536, 1601).

How they shape Catholic life. Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders leave an indelible spiritual character and cannot be repeated (CCC 1121). The Eucharist and Reconciliation are received regularly. Matrimony ordinarily endures until death, while Anointing may be repeated when a serious illness worsens or another grave illness develops. A good next step is to learn how each sacrament joins a person more deeply to Christ and His Church.