‘Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian’s life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1210)
The Seven Sacraments
The three sacraments of initiation bring us into that life:
The sacraments of Baptism, of the Most Holy Eucharist and of Confirmation.
The two sacraments of healing maintain that faith as Christ walks the journey of life with us:
The sacraments of Anointing of the Sick, and of Penance.
The two sacraments of proclamation and of growth allow that life in Christ to continue through time and expand the Kingdom in two important ways:
The sacraments of Holy Order, and of Marriage.
