The Catholic Church has seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance (Confession), the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. They are “efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us” (Catechism 1131). In other words, they are visible signs through which Christ himself acts and gives us his grace at the key moments of our lives.
Below is a simple overview of all seven, followed by a page-by-page explanation of each: its biblical roots, its sign, who celebrates it and what it does.
The seven sacraments at a glance
| Sacrament | Group | Sign | Ordinary minister | Received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baptism | Initiation | Water and the words “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” | Priest or deacon (anyone in an emergency) | Once |
| Confirmation | Initiation | Anointing with chrism and the words “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit” | Bishop (or a priest he delegates) | Once |
| Eucharist | Initiation | Bread and wine consecrated at Mass | Priest | Often, even daily |
| Penance | Healing | Confession of sins, contrition, penance and absolution | Priest | Often |
| Anointing of the Sick | Healing | Anointing with blessed oil and prayer | Priest | When seriously ill; may be repeated |
| Holy Orders | Service of communion | Laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration | Bishop | Once for each degree |
| Matrimony | Service of communion | The consent of the spouses | The spouses, before a priest or deacon | Once while the spouse lives |
The Church groups them in three: the sacraments of Christian initiation, the sacraments of healing, and the sacraments at the service of communion (Catechism 1210–1211). Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders imprint an indelible “character” on the soul, so they are received only once (Catechism 1121).
1. Baptism
Baptism is the gateway to the Christian life. It frees us from original sin and all sin, makes us children of God and members of the Church, and gives us the life of grace. Jesus told Nicodemus:
Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Most Catholics are baptized as infants; adults are baptized at the Easter Vigil after OCIA. In danger of death, anyone can baptize by pouring water and saying the words, with the intention of doing what the Church does.
2. Confirmation
Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as at Pentecost. It strengthens us to bear witness to Christ. The apostles laid hands on the newly baptized:
Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.
Who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.
For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Read about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit that Confirmation strengthens.
3. The Eucharist
The Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ, his sacrifice made present at every Mass. It is “the source and summit of the Christian life” (Catechism 1324) and completes Christian initiation. Catholics must attend Mass on Sundays and holy days and receive Communion at least once a year, during the Easter season.
See First Communion, the order of the Mass and prayers before Communion.
4. Penance (Confession, Reconciliation)
On the evening of Easter, the risen Christ gave the apostles the power to forgive sins:
He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you.
When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost.
Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.
In this sacrament we confess our sins to a priest and receive God’s forgiveness and peace. It is required for mortal sins and recommended for venial sins. See how to go to confession, the Act of Contrition and mortal and venial sin.
5. Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick gives strength, peace and courage to those who are seriously ill or weakened by old age, unites their suffering to Christ, forgives sins and sometimes restores health (James 5:14–15). It is not only for the dying. See last rites and Catholic prayers for healing.
6. Holy Orders
Through Holy Orders, men are ordained to serve the Church as bishops, priests and deacons, continuing the mission Christ gave to the apostles. A bishop ordains by laying on hands and praying the prayer of consecration. Priests act “in the person of Christ” when they celebrate the Mass and forgive sins.
7. Matrimony
In Matrimony a baptized man and woman give themselves to each other for life, in a covenant that reflects Christ’s love for the Church. The spouses themselves are the ministers of the sacrament; the priest or deacon receives their consent in the name of the Church. Jesus recalled God’s plan from the beginning:
Who answering, said to them: Have ye not read, that he who made man from the beginning, made them male and female? And he said:
For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh.
Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
See also our prayers of the faithful for a wedding.
Why seven?
The Church recognizes these seven because Christ instituted them, as the apostles and the Church have handed on. The Council of Florence (1439) and the Council of Trent (1547) defined that there are seven sacraments, no more and no fewer. The Catechism notes that they “touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life”: birth and growth, healing, and mission (Catechism 1210).
Jesus sent the apostles to baptize and teach all nations, and promised to be with them always:
Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
Frequently asked questions
What are the sacraments of initiation?
Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. Together they “lay the foundations of every Christian life” (Catechism 1212).
Which sacraments can only be received once?
Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders (each degree), because they imprint a permanent character. Matrimony can be received again only after the death of a spouse.
Which sacraments can a layperson administer?
In an emergency anyone can baptize. In Matrimony the bride and groom are the ministers. All other sacraments require a bishop or priest (and deacons may baptize and witness marriages).
Do Protestants have seven sacraments?
Most Protestant churches recognize two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches recognize seven.
What is a sacramental?
Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church, such as holy water, blessings, the rosary and medals, which prepare us to receive grace. Unlike sacraments, they were not instituted by Christ. See our Epiphany house blessing for an example.
More guides
- Catholic prayer FAQ
- Catholic baptism guide
- Confirmation saint names
- Catholic wedding guide
- Prayer for priests
- OCIA: how to become Catholic
- How to go to confession
- First Communion
- Last rites and the Anointing of the Sick
- The order of the Mass
- The gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Catholic prayers: the basic prayers every Catholic should know
Texts and sources
- Scripture: John 3:5; Acts 8:14–17; John 20:21–23; Matthew 19:4–6; Matthew 28:19–20, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1121, 1131, 1210–1211, 1212 and 1324.
- Council of Trent, Session VII (1547), Decree on the Sacraments, canon 1.