Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua ), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
As part of this first Sacrament of Initiation, Baptism uses physical symbols such as water, chrism (oils) and light to illustrate God's mercy, and the cleansing and removal of both original and personal sin.
If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.
- John 20:23
Reconciliation, also known as Penance or Confession, is an encounter with Jesus Christ's infinite mercy. In Confession, we humble ourselves and acknowledge our sinfulness, and we present both to God, and seek His forgiveness and mercy.
Confused about why we go to Confession? See the video below.
Preparing for confession? Resources are available here and here.
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup, after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you."
Luke 22:19-20
As Catholics, we believe the Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ. In Consecration, through the hands of a priest and the grace of God, bread and wine are really and truly transubstantiated - transformed in substance - into the body and blood of Christ.
Christ initiated the Eucharist at the Last Supper, the night before He was crucified.
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 8:14-17
In Confirmation, the faith given in Baptism is confirmed and made strong through the workings of the Holy Spirit. In Confirmation, a baptized person is "sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit" and strengthened to serve God and the Church.
Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
James 5:14–15
Like Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick is a Sacrament of healing. Sometimes referred to as "Last Rites," the Anointing of the Sick is not reserved only for those who may be nearing death. The Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring strength in times of illness or as one approaches death. A person can receive the Sacrament prior to surgery, in the event of a serious illness, if an illness worsens, or if the person is elderly.
So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the Church, because we are members of his Body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
- Ephesians 5:28-31
The Sacrament of Marriage refers to the covenant between a husband and wife. Woman and man are equal in human dignity, and in marriage both are united in an unbreakable bond.
The covenant of love into which spouses enter in marriage reflects the love of Christ for the Church and his self-gift on behalf of humanity.
To learn more about Catholic teachings on marriage, visit www.foryourmarriage.org.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
- John 20: 21-23
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of the priesthood bestowed by Christ upon His Apostles. The Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the Sacrament of Holy Orders as "the sacrament of apostolic ministry."
"Ordination" comes from the Latin word ordinatio, which means to incorporate someone into an order. In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a man is incorporated into the priesthood of Christ, at one of three levels: the episcopate, the priesthood, or the diaconate.