Sacraments

Receiving Sacraments

The sacraments are outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ for our sanctification.

In the Church’s teaching, they are not only symbols of grace: by Christ’s institution they truly confer the grace they signify (“a sacramental sign producing grace”), according to the sacrament and the dispositions required of the recipient.

Holy Communion

The sacrament of Holy Communion, or the Eucharist, is understood by Catholics as the real presence of Christ's Body and Blood under the appearances of bread and wine, instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper as spiritual food that unites the faithful to Christ, nourishes their souls, remedies daily faults, and fosters ecclesial communion.

Baptism

"Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments." (CCC no. 1213)

Baptism is the first sacrament of Christian initiation: it washes away sins, rebirths the person as a child of God, and unites them to Christ and his Church. Through Baptism, a person receives an indelible spiritual character, making them permanently configured to Christ and called to live a new life in the Holy Spirit.

Confirmation

Confirmation completes Christian initiation: it more perfectly binds the baptized to the Church and enriches them with a special strength of the Holy Spirit, making them true witnesses of Christ.

Because Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist form a unity, the faithful are obliged to receive Confirmation at the appropriate time, and it is closely connected to Baptism (often through the renewal of baptismal promises).

Anointing of the Sick

The Anointing of the Sick gives a special grace to those seriously ill: it unites the sick person to the Passion of Christ and strengthens them with peace and courage to endure illness or old age in a Christian manner.

It also forgives sins if the person cannot receive the sacrament of Penance, restores health if it is conducive to salvation, and prepares them for passing over to eternal life.

Sacraments

Holy Communion

Baptism

Reconciliation

Confirmation

Matrimony

Holy Orders

Anointing of the Sick