About Our Faith — Exploring the Catholic Faith

The Seven Sacraments

In a sacrament, Christ meets us through things we can see, hear, or touch. The water poured at Baptism and the words spoken in Confession show how God gives his grace in our daily lives.

How do the sacraments connect earth and heaven?

Jesus, risen and living with the Father, acts in the Church through the Holy Spirit. When the Church celebrates the liturgy on earth, she shares in the worship of heaven. Each diagram follows a sacrament from its visible sign to the grace Christ gives and the hope that grace opens for us.

Christian initiation

Baptism

A child or adult receives new birth through water and the Holy Spirit. Baptism forgives sin, makes us children of God, and brings us into the Church.

  1. Visible signWater and the words of baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  2. Grace receivedWe share in Christ’s death and new life
  3. Connection to heavenGod gives us a share in the life of his risen Son.

When the water is poured, the person being baptized is joined to Christ in his death and resurrection. The white garment recalls that the newly baptized person has put on Christ. The candle, lit from the Easter candle, is entrusted to the baptized or to the child’s family. They are asked to keep that light burning until the day they go to meet the Lord. The life we hope to share fully in heaven has already begun in Baptism.

Romans 6:3–5 · Catechism §§ 1243–1244, 1265–1266

Christian initiation

Confirmation

The baptized receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As at Pentecost, the Spirit strengthens ordinary people to bear witness to Christ in what they say and do.

  1. Visible signAnointing with sacred chrism, the laying on of the hand, and the words of sealing
  2. Grace receivedThe Holy Spirit strengthens us for witness
  3. Connection to heavenThe Spirit who strengthens us today is the pledge of our life with God.

At Confirmation, the minister traces a cross with chrism and speaks of the seal of the Holy Spirit. In Scripture, a seal marks belonging, and Saint Paul calls the Spirit a first installment of our inheritance. That promise takes shape in ordinary decisions. When a confirmed Christian speaks up for someone being mistreated or answers a difficult question about faith with patience, the Spirit helps that person live now as someone who belongs to Christ forever.

Ephesians 1:13–14 · Catechism §§ 1295–1296, 1302–1305

Christian initiation

Eucharist

At Mass, through Christ’s words and the action of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. In Holy Communion, Christ gives himself to us as food for the journey.

  1. Visible signBread and wine consecrated in the Eucharistic Prayer
  2. Grace receivedChrist nourishes his people with his Body and Blood
  3. Connection to heavenAt every Mass we worship with the angels and all the saints in heaven.

Even at a weekday Mass with only a few people in the pews, the whole Church shares in Christ’s offering to the Father. Mary, the apostles, and all who have reached heaven are united with us in that offering. This includes loved ones who are now with God, even when their names are known only to him. We hear this communion in the Eucharistic Prayer when the priest invites us to join the angels and saints and we sing “Holy, Holy, Holy.” In Communion, we receive Christ himself, truly present under the appearances of bread and wine. The risen Lord who feeds us at the altar promises to raise us up on the last day.

John 6:51–58 · Catechism on the Eucharistic offering · Catechism §§ 1137–1139, 1326, 1370, 1374, 1402–1405

Healing

Reconciliation

Also called Penance or Confession, this sacrament gives the baptized a way to return to God after sin. With sorrow and a desire to change, we confess our sins, receive absolution through the priest, and undertake penance.

  1. Visible signThe penitent confesses and the priest speaks the words of absolution
  2. Grace receivedChrist forgives sins and reconciles us with God and the Church
  3. Connection to heavenHeaven rejoices when a sinner comes home.

Jesus tells of a father who runs to meet his returning son and calls for a feast. In Confession, a person who has sinned can hear words of absolution spoken directly to them. Christ restores the friendship with God that grave sin breaks and heals the bonds wounded by every sin. The peace of being welcomed home gives us a glimpse of the joy of belonging fully to God and to one another in heaven.

Luke 15:7 · Catechism §§ 1468–1470

Healing

Anointing of the Sick

When serious illness or the infirmity of old age weighs on someone, a priest prays over the person and anoints them. Christ gives strength, peace, and courage. The Church also prays for bodily healing when it serves the person’s salvation.

  1. Visible signThe priest lays on hands, prays, and anoints with blessed oil
  2. Grace receivedChrist stays close to the sick and unites their suffering to his
  3. Connection to heavenChrist draws close in illness and gives hope in the resurrection of the body.

A person who is too weak to come to church can still take part in the life of the whole Church. Through the priest’s prayer and anointing, Christ gives the sick person strength to unite their suffering with his. The Church prays for recovery and entrusts the person’s future to the risen Lord. As death draws near, the anointing prepares the person for the final journey. When Holy Communion is also received at that time, it is called Viaticum, food for the journey to the Father.

James 5:14–15 · Catechism §§ 1520–1524

Service and communion

Holy Orders

Through ordination, bishops, priests, and deacons receive distinct ministries in the Church. Bishops shepherd their churches, priests serve with their bishops, and deacons serve through the word, the liturgy, and charity.

  1. Visible signA bishop lays hands on the candidate and prays the prayer of ordination
  2. Grace receivedThe Spirit equips the ordained to serve in Christ’s name
  3. Connection to heavenChrist the eternal High Priest continues to gather his people for life with the Father.

The bishop who ordains, the priest who celebrates Mass, and the deacon who proclaims the Gospel at a funeral each direct attention to Christ. The risen Jesus lives forever and intercedes for us. When a priest brings Holy Communion to a dying parishioner, or a deacon announces the promise of resurrection to a grieving family, their ministry gives that promise a voice and a human face.

1 Peter 5:2–4 · Catechism §§ 1544–1547, 1554, 1570

Service and communion

Matrimony

A baptized man and woman freely give themselves to one another in a lifelong covenant. Christ gives them grace to remain faithful, welcome life, forgive one another, and help their family grow in holiness.

  1. Visible signBride and groom freely exchange their marriage consent before the Church
  2. Grace receivedChrist strengthens their covenant of faithful love
  3. Connection to heavenThe spouses’ covenant points to the wedding feast of Christ and his Church.

Revelation pictures the joy of heaven as a wedding feast. Christian marriage gives us a way to understand that image. In promising lifelong fidelity, husband and wife become a living sign of the love with which Christ gives himself to his Church. Spouses help each other grow in holiness when they forgive one another, care for each other through illness, and make time to pray together. Their shared calling reaches toward the day when God’s people will rejoice together in his presence.

Revelation 19:7–9 · Catechism §§ 1612–1617, 1641–1642

Read the Vatican’s Compendium of the Catechism