The Seven Sacraments of The Catholic Church

The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
Last Updated: October 17, 2017
By Erica Daniels
What are the seven sacraments?
The seven sacraments are baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance,

anointing of the sick, marriage and holy orders. They are divided into three
categories: sacraments of initiation, sacraments of healing and sacraments
of service.
Source. JesusChristSavior.net | Study.com | Catholic.org

What is a sacrament?
Before we get into the details of each sacrament, we want to reiterate one of
the most important things about the sacraments — that they’re means which
God uses to show His grace and help us achieve salvation. The word
sacrament means “a sign of the sacred,” which is fitting as they are all
outwards signs from God to us.
Not only are they signs, they’re also celebrations of a continued journey and
relationship with God, teachings to help live out His word and ceremonies to
show devotion to Him.
Where did the sacraments originate?
In the Bible, Christ gives his followers clear instructions on how to administer
and receive each of the sacraments. This is seen through his work with the
Apostles, healing the sick, parables, giving his body and blood to nourish our
souls and forgiving sinners. The Church administers these holy sacraments
as instructed, in order for all to worship God and receive His salvation.
The Sacraments of Initiation
The three sacraments of initiation are baptism, confirmation and Eucharist.

Each is meant to strengthen your faith and forge a deeper relationship with
God. Baptism frees you from original sin, confirmation strengthens your faith
and Eucharist allows you to taste the body and blood of eternal life and be
reminded of Christ’s love and sacrifice.
Baptism
Baptism is the first sacrament where you become united with Christ and the
Church – no other sacrament can be received without it. A priest performs
this rite by immersing the baptismal candidate into water, therefore
cleansing their original sin through water and the word. The candidate
traditionally wears white garments, a candle is lit and they are anointed with

sacred chrism. This is the first step in your relationship with God and Christ.
Usually this takes place when the candidate is a baby, however, it’s never
too late and you’re never too old to begin your journey with God. It’s
common to have a baptism celebration with friends and family afterwards
and give the child baptism keepsakes that will help them grow in their faith.
 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in

the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19
 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of
Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up
out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove
descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying,
Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mark 1:9-11
 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved, and thy house. And he took them the same hour of the night,
and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Acts 16:31, 33
Confirmation
This is the sacrament that follows Baptism as part of the initiation process
with God and the Church, where the candidate receives the gift of the Holy
Spirit and continues their journey with Christ. During Confirmation, the
candidate is anointed on the forehead with chrism by a bishop. Since
baptism typically happens when the candidate is a baby, confirmation is a
great way for an older child to acknowledge that they still want to continue
their journey with God and grow their relationship with Him. Celebrate your
child’s confirmation by giving them a Bible with meaningful verses
highlighted or cross as a daily reminder of God’s love.
 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be

terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the
world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have
the light of life.” John 8:12
Eucharist
Eucharist means thanksgiving. This is when Christ’s body and blood are
offered and then received by the parishioner in the form of bread and wine.
Christ during the Last Supper broke bread, ate it, gave it to his disciples and
told them to eat it. Now the priest, through the words of consecration,
blesses and administers the Holy Communion during every mass to remind
followers that they are one with Christ. Food and drink nourishes our bodies
‒- Christ’s blood and body nourishes us spiritually.
 Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of

Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?
Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all
partake of the one bread. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing,
He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My
body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to
them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the
covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:26-28
 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at
the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the
believers were together and had everything in common. They sold
property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day
they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke

bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.
Acts 2:42-46
The Sacraments of Healing
The two sacraments of healing are penance and anointing the sick. Penance
allows for spiritual healing and absolution for people who have distanced
themselves from God through sin. Anointing the sick allows for both physical
and spiritual healing. When one falls seriously ill, a minister anoints them
and prays over them, calling on Christ to strengthen and heal.
Penance
During the sacrament of Penance, one confesses their sins to God through a
priest who forgives their sins by God’s mercy, and orders them to live a more
faithful life through absolution. Confession is essential to cultivating and
fruitfully living out the word of God. We’re not perfect people, even if we try
to be. It feels so much better to confess some of those things you have done
wrong and receive forgiveness. This helps us have a stronger relationship
with God.
 No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise
perish. Luke 13:3
 But if the wicked do penance for all his sins which he hath committed,
and keep all my commandments, and do judgment, and justice, living
he shall live, and shall not die. Ezekiel 18:21
 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who
confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13
Anointing the Sick

This sacrament is only bestowed upon those who are seriously ill or suffering,
which then unites the inflicted with Christ’s passion. Anointing the forehand
and hands of the person with chrism while a priest administers a special
blessing is how this sacrament is received. This special blessing is one way
to make the ill feel strengthened and more connected with God in both mind
and body.
 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the
Lord. James 5:14
 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were
sick and healed them. Mark 6:13
 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our
illnesses and bore our diseases.” Matthew 8:17
The Sacraments of Service
Through marriage and the holy orders, couples and the clergy promise to
serve and build up the church community.
Marriage
Marriage isn’t just a union between man and wife. The devotion husband and
wife have to each other, and to Christ, mirrors Christ’s love and service to
the church. Through marriage, a couple promises to help build each other up
in faith, serve each other and the church and be faithful to each other until
death.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He
gave up his life for her. Ephesians 5:25

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to
them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have
dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over
every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:27-28
Holy Orders
This sacrament is for those who choose to become a priest, bishop or

deacon. Through ordination, they are able to perform sacred duties and
serve the church community. This is not a sacrament that everyone partakes
in, rather it’s one that people feel called to by God.
 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him
who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the
Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,
which he obtained with his own blood. Acts 20:28
 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you
bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19
Living Out the Sacraments
Receiving one of the seven sacraments is a life-changing moment where one

truly experiences God’s salvation and Christ’s sacrifice. Events like first
communion are exciting and deserve special gifts. Growing in faith doesn’t
only happen through the sacraments, it happens through daily prayer and
devotion. Tools like a rosary, Bible, prayer journal and cross can assist you in
practicing your faith.
If you know anyone about to partake in a sacrament or looking for tools to

nourish their faith, consider blessing them in their journey with special

religious gifts. It will be a keepsake that will stay with them as their faith
continues to deepen.

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The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church

Last Updated: October 17, 2017

What are the seven sacraments?

The seven sacraments are baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance,

Source. JesusChristSavior.net | Study.com | Catholic.org

Where did the sacraments originate?

The Sacraments of Initiation

The three sacraments of initiation are baptism, confirmation and Eucharist.

Source. JesusChristSavior.net | Study.com | Catholic.org

 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in

 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be

Source. JesusChristSavior.net | Study.com | Catholic.org

 Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of

Source. JesusChristSavior.net | Study.com | Catholic.org

The Sacraments of Healing

Anointing the Sick

Source. JesusChristSavior.net | Study.com | Catholic.org

The Sacraments of Service

Source. JesusChristSavior.net | Study.com | Catholic.org

This sacrament is for those who choose to become a priest, bishop or

Living Out the Sacraments

Receiving one of the seven sacraments is a life-changing moment where one

If you know anyone about to partake in a sacrament or looking for tools to

Source. JesusChristSavior.net | Study.com | Catholic.org

Source. JesusChristSavior.net | Study.com | Catholic.org

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