Seven Sacraments

Sacraments are the most powerful signs of grace, instituted by Jesus Christ and entrusted to the Church, through which Divine life is given.
Jesus Christ instituted all seven sacraments as ways in which He could be presented to His people even after His Ascension into Heaven. Jesus Christ gave the sacraments to the Church so that the Church could dispense them to the faithful.

At the Council of Trent (1545–63), the Roman Catholic Church formally fixed the number of sacraments at seven: baptism, confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, penance, holy orders, matrimony, and anointing of the sick. Each is meant to strengthen our faith and forge a deeper relationship with God.

Baptism

In Catholic teaching, baptism is stated to be “necessary for salvation by actual reception or at least by desire. In Baptism we receive new life in Christ. Baptism takes away original sin and gives us a new birth in the Holy Spirit. Its sign is the pouring of water Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Mathew 28:19).

Confirmation

Confirmation seals our life of faith in Jesus. Its signs are the laying on of hands on a person’s head, most often by a bishop, and the anointing with oil. Like Baptism, Confirmation is received only once. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-17)

Holy Eucharist

Holy Communion memorializes last Supper of Jesus with his disciples during Passover. Christians partake of Holy Communion in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus that was broken and poured at the cross. It reminds us His suffering as well as shows us the amount of love Jesus had for us. The Holy Eucharist, or Holy Communion, can be received daily if desired. It is the central rite of Catholic worship. A baptized child’s First Communion is preceded by their first confession (the sacrament of Penance).

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Mathew 26:26-28).

Your faith will help you realize that it is Jesus Himself Who is present in the Blessed Sacrament, waiting for you and calling you to spend one special specific hour with Him each week. (Pope John Paul II)

Penance

Sin is an act that is a very serious violation of God’s law done knowingly and freely. It separates a person from God. Through Penance we receive God’s forgiveness.

Forgiveness requires being sorry for our sins. In Penance we receive healing grace of Jesus through absolution by the priest. The signs of this sacrament are our confession of sins and the words of absolution

Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am

sending you.” When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is

withheld.” (John 20:21-23).

Anointing of the Sick

This sacrament unites a sick person’s suffering with that of Jesus and brings forgiveness of sins. Oil, a symbol of strength, is the sign of this sacrament. A person is anointed with oil and receives the laying on of hands from a priest.
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15)

Matrimony

In Matrimony a baptized man and woman are united with each other as a sign of the unity between Jesus and his Church. Matrimony requires the consent of the couple, as expressed in the marriage promises. The couple and their wedding rings are the signs of this sacrament.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore Go d has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:6-9)

Holy Orders

Sacrament of Holy Order configures the recipient to Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he may serve as Christ’s instrument for his Church. By ordination, one is enabled to act as a representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest, prophet, and king. As in the case of Baptism and Confirmation this share in Christ’s office is granted once for all. The sacrament of Holy Orders, like the other two, confers an indelible spiritual character and cannot be repeated or conferred temporarily. It is true that someone validly ordained can, for a just reason, be discharged from the obligations and functions linked to ordination, or can be forbidden to exercise them; but he cannot become a layman again in the strict sense, because the character imprinted by ordination is forever. the vocation and mission received on the day of his ordination mark him permanently.
The signs of this sacrament are the laying on of hands and anointing with oil by the bishop. Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy” (John 20:21-22).