How do the seven sacraments help us as an individual?

We all have those moments in our lives that we say were formative for the shaping of who we are today. We celebrate birthdays in our homes every year. We remember our wedding anniversaries and the dates on which we first met our spouses or made a life-changing career decision. read more

Personally, I find it helpful to think of the sacraments in three groups: The 3 sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist) help me integrate into the Body of Christ—also understood as the Church. Baptism marks the definitive beginning of my being freed from the effects of original sin. read more

The Sacraments are defined as outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ to help individuals in their spiritual life and to grow in holiness. Sacraments are mysteries; they are signs of the sacred presence of our God in our midst today. read more

The sevenfold list of sacraments is often organized into three categories: the sacraments of initiation (into the Church, the body of Christ), consisting of Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation; the sacraments of healing, consisting of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick; and the sacraments of service: Holy Orders and Matrimony. read more