There are seven Catholic sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance and Reconciliation (Confession), the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. They come in three groups: initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist), healing (Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick), and service (Holy Orders and Matrimony). If you or someone in your family is getting ready for one of them, start with a call to your parish office: they'll tell you which classes, documents, and dates you need.
What is a sacrament?
A sacrament is more than a nice religious symbol. Catholics believe it is a sign Christ gave to his Church, and through it God truly gives his grace. Each one uses simple things you can see and hear: water, oil, bread and wine, the “yes” of a bride and groom, or the laying on of hands. Through these simple signs, God really acts in your life.
The sacraments go with you through the big moments of life: the beginning, growing in faith, healing, and your mission. But they don't follow a strict timeline. A child, a teenager, or an adult can start preparing at different times.
Not every Catholic receives all seven sacraments, and that's okay. Holy Orders and Matrimony are two different callings, and you don't need either one to live a full, faithful Catholic life. The Eucharist has a special place: it completes the sacraments of initiation and is at the heart of everything the Church celebrates.
The sacraments of Christian initiation
Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist start your life in Christ and help it grow. An easy way to picture them: Baptism is a new birth, Confirmation makes you stronger with the Holy Spirit, and the Eucharist feeds you with the Body and Blood of Christ.
Baptism
Baptism is where it all begins. It is celebrated with water and these words: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Through Baptism, the person is freed from sin, becomes a child of God, is joined to Christ, and is welcomed into the Church. It is the door to all the other sacraments.
The main sign is water. During the ceremony you'll also see other signs that help explain Baptism: an anointing, a white garment, and a candle lit from the Paschal candle, the big Easter candle. If you're getting ready for your baby's baptism, use the Catholic baptism checklist to confirm documents, godparents, and what your parish asks for.
Confirmation
Confirmation deepens the grace of Baptism and makes the person stronger through the Holy Spirit. In most parishes (the Latin rite), the bishop usually confirms, although in some cases a priest can too. The heart of the ceremony is the laying on of hands and the anointing with holy oil, called chrism, with the words: “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Confirmation completes what Baptism started and sends the person out to share Christ with words and actions. Ages, classes, the custom of choosing a saint's name, sponsor rules, and dates change from one diocese and parish to another, so check with yours. For gift ideas, see our guide to Catholic Confirmation gifts.
The Eucharist
The Eucharist completes the sacraments of initiation. At Mass, we give thanks, listen to the Word of God, join in Christ's sacrifice, and receive Holy Communion. Catholics believe Jesus is truly present in what looks like bread and wine.
First Communion is simply the first time a person receives the Eucharist. It isn't a separate sacrament. Preparation usually includes faith classes, going to Mass, and going to Confession, depending on the person's age and situation. Each parish has its own requirements, so follow your local program. Our First Communion planning guide for parents explains what you'll usually need.
The sacraments of healing
Even after Baptism, life still brings sin, sickness, suffering, and death. Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick help with these wounds in different ways. Both are part of how Christ keeps healing and saving his people through the Church.
Penance and Reconciliation
In Reconciliation, you confess your sins to a priest and are truly sorry for them. The priest gives you absolution, which is God's forgiveness, and a penance to complete. This sacrament brings you back to God after serious sin and gives you strength not to fall again.
You'll hear it called Confession, Penance, or Reconciliation. It's the same sacrament; each name points to a different part of it. If it's been a while since your last Confession, don't worry. Many people start with “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned” and then say how long it has been. Near the end, the priest will ask you to pray an Act of Contrition. The most common one begins: “My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.” If you forget the words, just tell the priest in your own words that you are sorry. Our guide to what happens during Reconciliation walks you through it step by step, and your parish can help with anything else.
Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick gives grace, strength, peace, and courage to a baptized person who is seriously ill, weak from old age, or facing a serious medical condition. A priest anoints the sick person with blessed oil and says the prayer of the sacrament.
This sacrament isn't only for the last moments of life. If someone you love is seriously ill, call the parish and ask for a priest; don't wait until death is near. When you call, give the person's name, where they are (home, hospital, or nursing home), and how serious it is. If the person can receive Communion, ask the priest to bring it too. The Anointing can be received again if the illness gets worse, or if the person recovers and later faces another serious illness.
The sacraments at the service of communion and mission
Holy Orders and Matrimony give a person a special mission of service. Both build up the Church, the People of God, by serving others.
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the Church ordains bishops, priests, and deacons, each for a different kind of ministry. A bishop ordains through the laying on of hands and a special prayer of consecration. Bishops, priests, and deacons each have their own responsibilities, and ordination marks the person for life.
If someone in your family feels called to be a priest or deacon, the first step is a conversation with your pastor.
Matrimony
In Matrimony, a baptized man and a baptized woman freely give themselves to each other for life. Their promise is for the good of both spouses and for welcoming and raising children. In most Catholic weddings (the Latin rite), the bride and groom give the sacrament to each other when they say their vows in front of the priest or deacon and two witnesses.
A Catholic wedding is more than a beautiful public promise. The sacrament gives the couple grace for faithful love, family life, forgiveness, and serving others. Couples must complete the preparation their parish or diocese requires. For help with one part of it, see our guide to Catholic wedding vows.
How to prepare for a sacrament
Start with your parish. Classes, documents, godparents or sponsors, ages, and schedules change from place to place, and every family's situation is different. Your parish will tell you what applies to you and put you in touch with the right person: the coordinator, the priest, or the deacon.
- Know which sacrament it is and who is receiving it.
- Call the parish before you book travel, a hall, or a party.
- Ask which documents, classes, interviews, or godparents and sponsors are needed.
- Ask if you need a recent copy of a baptism certificate. If you do, request it early from the parish where the person was baptized, even if that parish is in Mexico, because it can take time to arrive.
- Get ready with prayer, going to Mass, and the guidance your parish gives you.
Once the parish confirms the date, you can plan the fun part: the candle, the clothes, a gift, the family meal, and photos. These are the things your family will keep and remember from the day.
A simple way to remember the groups
Think of the seven Catholic sacraments as three, two, and two. The three sacraments of initiation are Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. The two sacraments of healing are Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick. The two sacraments of service are Holy Orders and Matrimony.
It's a map, not a checklist every Catholic has to complete. It shows how the Church walks with you through life: from new birth, through nourishment and healing, toward a mission of holiness and service.
Why are the seven sacraments important?
The seven sacraments are important because Christ himself acts through them. They don't depend on how emotional you feel, how important the event is, or how beautiful the ceremony looks. Each sacrament has its own grace and purpose:
- Initiation gives and strengthens life in Christ.
- Healing helps with sin, illness, and spiritual weakness.
- Service gives special missions to build up the Church and serve others.
They also keep shaping your life long after the ceremony day.
For Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation and the wedding
Sets for Baptism and First Communion, a rosary for Confirmation, and arras and a lazo for the wedding.
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Where are the Catholic sacraments in the Bible?
The Bible doesn't have one numbered list called “the seven sacraments.” The Church recognizes them through Scripture, the tradition handed down from the apostles, and centuries of prayer and worship. In the Bible you can see where each one comes from:
- Baptism: Jesus tells the apostles to baptize.
- Confirmation: the apostles lay hands on the baptized.
- Eucharist: the Last Supper.
- Reconciliation: Jesus gives the apostles authority to forgive sins.
- Anointing of the Sick: the anointing of the sick in the Letter of James.
- Holy Orders: the laying on of hands for ministry.
- Matrimony: Jesus' teaching on marriage.
These passages make the most sense when you read them together, as part of the whole faith of the Church.
Sources
- Catechism of the Catholic Church: The seven sacraments of the Church
- Catechism of the Catholic Church: The sacraments of Christian initiation
- Catechism of the Catholic Church: The sacraments of healing
- Catechism of the Catholic Church: The sacraments at the service of communion
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Sacraments and sacramentals