Catholicism 101: The Seven Sacraments

The Catholicism 101 column will explain a different aspect of Catholicism each issue.

A sacrament is an outward sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church. For Catholics, the seven sacraments are the way to salvation. These sacraments are the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist; the sacraments of healing: Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick; and the sacraments of consecration: Matrimony and Holy Orders.

Most Catholics receive Baptism as infants, although many choose to enter the Church as adults. Baptism consists of pouring holy water on the recipient’s head or submerging the recipient in holy water while saying “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” A priest, bishop, or deacon ministers baptism. It washes away the stain of original sin and removes the punishment from the baptized person. The baptized wears a white garment after Baptism to symbolize the innocence and purity left after sin is washed away. After the holy water, the baptized is anointed with holy oil, the Chrism, and he or she receives a candle to symbolize the Light of Christ.

Confirmation is the receiving of the Holy Spirit. Catholics are Confirmed around age 14, or following Baptism if baptized as an adult. The bishop or priest anoints the forehead with Chrism and says, “Receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.” According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Confirmation “renders our bond with the Church more perfect.” The confirmed choose a personal patron saint and take that saint’s name as a Confirmation name. Confirmation, like Baptism, is only received once.

Through the Eucharist, Catholics participate in the sacrifice of Jesus. Catholics believe that the bread and wine that are blessed by the priest or bishop during Mass truly become the body and blood of Jesus. The first time a Catholic receives the Eucharist, also called First Communion, is usually around age seven, or at Baptism for adults. To receive Communion, one must have “sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so that they understand the mystery of Christ.” Eucharist is received at every Mass and some special Communion services. Although only priests and bishops can bless the bread and wine, deacons and lay people may be distributors of Communion during Mass or special prayer services.

Reconciliation, or Penance, is the first sacrament of healing. During Reconciliation, a Catholic confesses his or her sins to a priest and prays with him. The priest then gives the special blessing of Absolution, through which God forgives the sins, and assigns a penance, usually prayers and good works, to atone for the sins. Catholics believe that Reconciliation is spiritual healing of a wound caused by sin. Because sin separates one from God, Reconciliation brings God and the sinner closer together. When confessing, one can sit face-to-face with the priest or kneel behind a screen for privacy. Practicing Catholics are required to receive the sacrament once a year. Priests are bound by the Seal of the Confessional, which says they cannot reveal what they hear in the confessional, maintaining confidentiality with the penitent. The First Reconciliation is usually made around age six or seven or at the time of Baptism for adults and is required to be made before First Communion.

The second sacrament of healing is the Anointing of the Sick. During the sacrament a priest anoints a sick person with specially blessed oil. This forgives the sin of the sick and prepares the soul for death. This sacrament can be received multiple times, if a person is chronically ill, or elderly with a weakened condition.

Matrimony, or marriage, is a sacrament of consecrating a man and woman on the mission in building up the Church. It is a sign of love uniting spouses with a permanent bond, sealed by God. The ministers of Matrimony are the man and the woman receiving the sacrament themselves. The priest blesses the couple and their marriage and serves as a witness for validity. Matrimony usually takes place during a Nuptial Mass with the couple’s family and friends present. Valid Catholic marriages cannot be dissolved because of the sacred bond between the spouses, and the sacrament cannot be undone.

Holy Orders is the sacrament of consecration to a religious vocation, when a man is ordained a priest, bishop, or deacon. A bishop ministers Holy Orders, conferring upon the man the power to celebrate the sacrament and other liturgical acts, like presiding during a Mass. Deacons are not allowed to preside during Mass, but are instead Servants of All and are placed at the service of the bishop and have several very important duties. Before Ordination, candidates for the priesthood must complete several years in the seminary, where they learn the duties of a priest and complete graduate level theology and philosophy courses while forming and developing their spiritual life. Priests take a vow of obedience to the bishop for their diocese and serve at any parish where the bishop places them.

Catholics believe that Christ instituted all seven sacraments. Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan by John the Baptist and after His resurrection told his Apostles to baptize all nations. At the Last Supper, He consecrated the first Eucharist and told his Apostles to “Do this in memory of me.” Jesus also told His Apostles “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained,” in John 20:23, giving the Apostles the power and responsibility to forgive sins via confession.

At Pentecost, Jesus instituted Confirmation by sending the Holy Spirit to the Apostles. Also at the Last Supper, Jesus washed the feet of His Apostles, telling them to follow His example, making them the first priests. In Matthew, Luke, and Mark, Jesus says that the sick should be anointed. In Matthew 19:6, Jesus says, “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate,” indicating the perpetual bond of Matrimony. Catholics also hold that the priests and bishops of today follow in the line of Apostles and have the same responsibilities and power of the first followers of Christ.

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