BAPTISM
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children 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.’ (CCC, 1213)
HOLY EUCHARIST
The Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. “The Holy Eucharist completes Christian Initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism…participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.” (CCC, 1322)
RECONCILIATION
“Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against Him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.” (CCC 1422)
CONFIRMATION
“Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the ‘sacraments of initiation,’ whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.” (CCC 1285)
HOLY MATRIMONY
“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman established between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” (CCC, 1601)
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
“By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good off the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.” (CCC, 1499)
HOLY ORDERS
“Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.” (CCC, 1536)