What are the Sacraments?

Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.  The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament.  They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions (Catechism 1131). 

The Church celebrates seven sacraments:

• Three sacraments of Initiation:  Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist; 

• Two sacraments of Healing:  Reconciliation (confession or penance) and Anointing of the Sick;  and

• Two sacraments of Vocation:  Marriage and Holy Orders.