The seven sacraments in clear Catholic language.
The sacraments are not side topics in Catholic life. They are concrete ways Christ gives grace to his Church: in initiation, healing, worship, vocation, and the ordinary path of holiness.
What the seven sacraments are
Catholics speak of seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders. The Church groups them because they serve different parts of Christian life, but together they show how grace accompanies the believer from beginning to end.
Sacraments of Initiation
These sacraments begin and nourish Christian life by bringing a person into Christ and deepening communion with the Church.
Sacrament
Baptism
Baptism is the first sacrament of Christian life. Through it, a person is cleansed from sin, reborn in Christ, and brought into the Church.
Sacrament
Confirmation
Confirmation completes Baptismal grace by sealing the Christian with the gift of the Holy Spirit for a stronger life of witness, prayer, and fidelity.
Sacrament
Eucharist
The Eucharist is at the center of Catholic life because Catholics believe Christ gives himself truly and really under the appearances of bread and wine.
Sacraments of Healing
These sacraments bring mercy, forgiveness, peace, and strengthening in weakness, sin, illness, and suffering.
Sacrament
Reconciliation
Reconciliation, often called Confession, is the sacrament in which Catholics confess sins, receive absolution, and are restored more deeply to grace and communion with the Church.
Sacrament
Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament given to Catholics facing serious illness, grave weakness, or the difficulties of old age so that they may receive grace, peace, strength, and deeper union with Christ.
Sacraments at the Service of Communion
These sacraments are ordered toward the good of others and the building up of the Church through vocation and service.
Sacrament
Marriage
Catholic Marriage is not only a legal bond or social arrangement. It is a sacramental covenant ordered toward the good of the spouses and the gift of family life.
Sacrament
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament by which certain men are ordained for service to the Church as deacons, priests, or bishops.