Sacrament
A sacrament is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, that confers the grace it signifies. The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony — each marking a distinct moment of grace in the life of faith.
Seven Signs, One Source
The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments, believed to have been instituted by Christ himself: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist (the sacraments of initiation); Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick (the sacraments of healing); and Holy Orders and Matrimony (the sacraments of service and communion). Each uses a specific visible sign — water, oil, bread and wine, the laying on of hands — to convey an invisible grace.
Milestones in a Life of Faith
For most Catholics, the sacraments mark the major turning points of a life of faith, from infant Baptism through First Communion, Confirmation, and eventually Matrimony or Holy Orders, with Reconciliation and the Eucharist received regularly throughout. Anointing of the Sick, once known as Last Rites, can be received at any serious illness, not only at the point of death.
Related Saints
Frequently Asked Questions
Can every sacrament be received more than once?
No. Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders leave what the Church calls an indelible spiritual mark and can be received only once; the other four — Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and Matrimony — can be received repeatedly, and the Eucharist is meant to be received often.
What is needed to receive First Communion?
A child (or adult) preparing for First Communion is typically catechized in the basics of the faith and the meaning of the Eucharist, and must have already received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, since Catholic teaching calls for receiving Communion in a state of grace.