SacramentSummaries

TheCatholicChurchhassevensacraments,andeachoneisavisiblesignofthegraceGod
givesusethroughoutourlives.Therearethreesacramentsofinitiation(Baptism,Confirmation,
andEucharist),twosacramentsofhealing(ReconciliationandAnointingoftheSick),andtwo
sacramentsofservice(HolyOrdersandHolyMatrimony).Belowisadescriptionofeach
sacramentintheorderthattheyareusuallyreceived.

Baptism
EntersapersonintoTheChurch
YourebaptizedinthenameoftheFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit
IfyouwerebaptizedinadifferentChristianchurchthenthatsfine
Ifyouwerebaptizedinvalidly,thenyoullneedtobeproperlybaptized
Ifyoudontknowifyouvebeenbaptized,thenyoullneedaconditionalbaptism
Anyoneatanyagecanbebaptized
Inemergencysituations,anyonecanperformabaptism
Removesoriginalsinandabsolvesallsinsbeforebaptism
Parentsofthebaptizedpromisetoraisethechildinthefaithbaptizedadultsare
expectedtoremainfaithful
Godparentsaremeanttohelpwithabaptizedpersonsspiritualdevelopment
BaptismalvowsarerenewedeveryEaster

Reconciliation(akaConfession)
Absolvesanysinsafterbaptism
Mortalsinneedstobeabsolvedthroughthissacrament
Thoroughlyexamineyourconsciencebeforegoingtoconfession
Besorryforallsinsandbedeterminedtoavoidsininthefuture
Bewellpreparedforconfession(youcanaskthepriestforanyhelp)
Doyourpenance

Eucharist(akaHolyCommunion)
IstheactualbodyandbloodofChrist,afterbreadandwineareconsecrated
ShouldbereceivedbyCatholicsthatarenotinmortalsin
Absolvesvenialsins

Confirmation
SealsabaptizedpersonwiththeHolySpiritandcompletesonesinitiationtoTheChurch

Matrimony
Onemanandonewomansolemnlyvowtogivetheirlivestoeachotheruntildeath
TheyshouldbecompletelyopentochildrenandraisethemCatholic
Thesacramentisperformedbythecouple,butachurchrepresentative(e.g.
priest,deacon,orbishop)witnessestheceremony
Thecoupleundergoesthoroughpremarriagecounselingbeforethewedding
Validmarriagesaresacramentalandpermanent
Courtesyof@CatholiClarity

SacramentSummaries

SinceGodunitesthecouple,noonecanevertrulydissolvethemarriage
Anyimpediments/irregularitiespresentatthetimeofthemarriageceremony
couldmeanthatasacramentalmarriagenevertookplace
Catholicswhoreceiveanofficialdecreeofnullity(i.e.annulment)stillhavethe
opportunityforasacramentalmarriage
Couplesmayneedpermission(i.e.adispensation)tomarryincertaincircumstances
Civilmarriagesareinvalid,butCatholicsinthissituationcangettheirunionconvalidated

HolyOrders
Mencalledtothissacramentstudytobecomedeaconsorpriests
SinglemensolemnlyvowtogivetheirentirelivestoTheChurchandforgomarriage
Marriedmencanbecomedeacons(possiblypriestsiftheywereProtestantclergyman
beforebecomingCatholic)buttheyneedpermissionfromtheirwives
Priestsadministersacraments,celebratemass,helpchurchmembers,preach,etc.
Somepriestsbecomebishops,archbishops,cardinals,orevenpope

AnointingoftheSick
Giventothosewhoaredying,seriouslysick,orindangerofdeath
Afterbeinganointed,thepersonconfessesanysins(ifable),andreceivestheEucharist
Preparespeoplefordeathand(hopefully)theirjourneytoheaven

Courtesyof@CatholiClarity