What Are the Seven Sacraments �and Why Are They Important?

The Seven Sacraments are rituals that people choose to participate in to express and strengthen their faith, whilst deepening their relationship with God.

The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church are channels through which God can bestow his grace on an individual.

Receiving God’s grace is how individuals receive His love, as well as the strength required to navigate life’s difficulties and challenges.

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The sacraments are divided into three categories:

the Sacraments of Initiation, the Sacraments of Healing and the Sacraments of Service.

The Sacraments of Initiation

The Sacraments of Initiation lay the foundation for a spiritual life. �There are three Sacraments of Initiation:

Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Baptism

Baptism is when a person is welcomed into the Christian faith.

The priest will say, “I now baptise you in the name of the Father, the name of the Son and the name of the Holy Spirit.”

Water is then sprinkled on the person's head.

Usually, babies and young children are baptised but adults can also be baptised too.

Baptism is received only once.

Confirmation

Confirmation is when a Christian wants to develop their relationship with God.

During the ceremony, Christians receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The priest or bishop will lay their hands on the person's head and pray for them.

The sign of the cross is made on the person’s head using holy oil.

Like Baptism, Communion is received only once.

Eucharist

Eucharist is when Christians remember the death of Jesus on the cross � by taking bread and wine.

The priest repeats the words of Jesus and says, “This is my body” and “This is the chalice of my blood.”

Eucharist is celebrated as a community, as a part of Mass.

The Sacraments of Healing

The Sacraments of Healing celebrate the healing power of Jesus.�

There are two Sacraments of Healing:��Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.

Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is often known as ‘confession’.

The priest then says the words, “I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

This sacrament is when a person confesses their sins to a priest.

This means that the person is forgiven for their sins by God.

Anointing of the Sick

Anointing means to put special oil on a person.

If a person is sick, they can ask the priest to pray for them and put the holy oil on their head.

This sacrament unites a person’s suffering with that of Jesus and gives them forgiveness for their sins

The Sacraments of Service

The Sacraments of Service help people serve the community. ��There are two Sacraments of Service:��Matrimony and Holy Orders.

Matrimony

Matrimony is also commonly known as marriage. � This is when two people are united in a special ceremony.

Prayers, hymns and readings from the Bible are often included in a wedding service, and rings are exchanged.

Each person makes promises called vows.

The rings are a symbol of the sacrament.

Holy Orders

Holy Orders are when a person becomes a priest.

This sacrament is only received by those who are called to be priests.

The person promises to dedicate their life to serving God and the Church.

Receiving this sacrament means that this person can administer the sacraments to others.