What Are the 7 Sacraments and Why They Are Important for Catholics?
- Sean Goh
- May 6
- 8 min read
A Guide Rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and the Tender Heart of the Church
We live in a world aching for connection—not just with one another, but with the divine. Just this year, the Catholic Church has seen a huge increase of conversion with some diocese seeing a 20-70% increase year-on-year. In the Catholic Church, that connection is made visible and tangible through something extraordinary: the Seven Sacraments. They’re not just rituals or symbolic acts. They are living encounters with Christ, rich with grace, healing, and transformation.
But what exactly are the sacraments? Why do we need them? And how do they impact our lives as Christians?
Whether you’re Catholic, of a different denomination, curious, or questioning—this guide is here to lovingly walk you through what the Church believes and why. Let’s journey together.
🌿 What Are the Sacraments?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church beautifully teaches:
“The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.”
(CCC 1131)
Imagine a sign that doesn’t just point to something holy, but actually delivers it. That’s what a sacrament is. Each one is a sacred act where heaven meets earth, where God uses something visible—like water, oil, bread, or human words—to give us something invisible but real: grace.
The Church groups the seven sacraments into three categories:
Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick
Sacraments at the Service of Communion: Holy Orders, Matrimony
Let’s take a closer, more heartfelt look at each one.
Baptism – The Beginning of a New Life
“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
– John 3:5
Baptism is the (first) sacrament that opens the door to everything else in the Christian life. It’s not a cultural rite of passage—it’s a rebirth. Through the pouring of water and the invocation of the Holy Trinity, a person is:
Cleansed of original sin and all sins prior to baptism,
Made a child of God in fullness,
Incorporated into the Body of Christ, the Church.
“Baptism… is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”
(CCC 1213)
Think of it as the spiritual umbilical cord—our new beginning, our re-creation. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commanded His apostles to go and baptize all nations, showing that Baptism isn’t optional—it’s essential for spiritual conversion. To be in the fullness of Christ, one has to be baptized. And, this only happens once in your life and will be a marking of Communion with Christ's Church forever. No matter what you do, a baptism cannot be "reversed" and is a great gift to anyone!
Whether you’re an infant being welcomed into a Christian family, or an adult converting from another faith, Baptism radically reorients your identity. You no longer belong to sin—you belong to Christ. I know some may bring upon the question on baby baptism, which I will get to on a later date. So, please, subscribe and stay tuned!
Confirmation – Strengthened by the Spirit
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…”
– Acts 1:8
If Baptism is the birth, Confirmation is the coming of age. It deepens and strengthens the grace of Baptism, giving us the fullness of the Holy Spirit, just as the Apostles received at Pentecost.
In Confirmation, we are:
Sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit,
Empowered to live and defend the faith,
Given spiritual courage and strength.
“It is evident… that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit.”
(CCC 1302)
Many people think Confirmation is “graduation” from church. It’s not—it’s the launchpad for mission. Just as oil was used in the Old Testament to anoint kings, prophets, and priests, we too are anointed for a purpose: to proclaim Christ with boldness in a world that desperately needs Him.
"Is it a must to be confirmed?", one might ask. And, the answer is no. It is not compulsary to be confirmed but, then again, why not? Why wouldn't one want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and become whole? Just imagine being whole again. Confirmation also cannot be repeated. You are marked with a precious seal in union with God and will be, always.
The Eucharist – Heaven on Earth
“This is my body… This is my blood… Do this in remembrance of me.”
– Luke 22:19–20
There is no sacrament more intimate, more central to Catholic life, than the Eucharist. This is not merely a memorial or a symbol. It is the real, sacramental presence of Jesus Christ—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—under the appearance of bread and wine.
**Of course, one can only receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist when one is a baptized Catholic, and in a state of grace [having been absolved of serious (mortal) sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) by an ordained Priest/Bishop or Baptism].**
“The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.”
(CCC 1324)
In John 6, Jesus says, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” When He instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper, He didn’t say, “This represents my body.” He said, “This is my body.”
When we receive Holy Communion, we are:
United to Christ in a profound way
Spiritually nourished and strengthened
Drawn into deeper communion with the Church
The Eucharist is a foretaste of heaven. It is the marriage supper of the Lamb, celebrated on earth in anticipation of eternity. This Sacrament can be recieved continuously, but shall not be taken in vein. Catholics are encouraged to recieve it at every Sunday Mass and Mass on Days of Obligation, and a maximum of 2 times a day. In extraordinary situations, 3 (nearing death after attending 2 Masses on the same day).
Reconciliation (Confession) – Love That Forgives
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…”
– 1 John 1:9
“Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven.”
– John 20:23
We all fall. But God’s mercy never does.
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also called Confession, Jesus meets us in our brokenness—not to shame us, but to heal us. Through the ministry of the priest, Christ forgives our sins and restores us to grace.
“The confession of sins… reconciles us with God and the Church.”
(CCC 1440–1449)
This sacrament is deeply personal and liberating. It’s not therapy. It’s not self-help. It’s a divine encounter with the wounded yet victorious Christ, who took our sins to the Cross and left them in the tomb.
Here’s the miracle: when you confess your sins, it’s Jesus Himself saying, “I absolve you.” And no matter how far you’ve strayed, the door of mercy is always open.
Now, is Confession necessary? The short answer is: Nope. God is ever merciful and will forgive us for our sins no matter what they are as long as we ask for forgiveness in acknowledging what they are. But is that a guarantee? None of us know for sure. So, that means not knowing if you really are in a state of grace. Thanks to apostolic succession, Priests and Bishops can absolve you of all your sins in Persona Christi when you go for confession. From that, you know for sure you have been forgiven and are worthy not just to receive Jesus' Body and Blood in the Consecrated Holy Eucharist but also to go on and live your life without all that baggage.
Anointing of the Sick – Christ the Healer
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders… and the prayer of faith will save the sick person.”
– James 5:14–15
Pain, illness, and death are part of our fallen world—but Christ has not left us alone in our suffering. Through the Anointing of the Sick, the Church brings the healing presence of Jesus to those in need.
“This sacrament gives the grace of the Holy Spirit to those who are seriously ill or elderly.”
(CCC 1520)
It is not just for those at the brink of death. It is for anyone facing serious illness, surgery, or decline due to age. The priest anoints the person with sacred oil, prays for healing, and strengthens their soul for whatever lies ahead. This Sacrament can also be recieved more than once.
Sometimes, the healing is physical. But always, the grace is real, mysterious, and consoling.
Holy Orders – Called to Serve
“I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
– 2 Timothy 1:6
Christ is our eternal High Priest—but He chose to extend His priestly ministry through Holy Orders, calling men to serve His Church as deacons, priests, and bishops.
“The sacrament of Holy Orders communicates a sacred power.”
(CCC 1538)
In this sacrament:
Deacons are ordained for service and charity,
Priests are ordained to preach, celebrate the sacraments, and shepherd souls,
Bishops possess the fullness of the priesthood and govern the Church in apostolic succession.
Holy Orders is not a career. It is a lifelong calling—a total surrender to Christ and His people. The process isn't as easy as it may seem. On top of oats and commitments, one would have to go through seminarian training and education that spans anywhere from 7-14 years. Then, one gets ordained a priest and depending on their order, they may serve a couple years as an assistant priest before becoming a parish priest. Then, the selection process in becoming a bishop is entirely random based on a selection process at the Vatican as well as a Cardinal. Hence, it really isn't a career path.
Matrimony – A Living Icon of God’s Love
“The two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery… I speak of Christ and the Church.”
– Ephesians 5:31–32
Marriage is more than a social institution or legal contract. When two baptized Catholics enter into marriage, they receive a sacrament, making their union a living icon of God’s covenantal love.
“By the sacrament of Matrimony, spouses are strengthened to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church.”
(CCC 1642)
Matrimony is:
Free: freely entered,
Faithful: exclusive and permanent,
Fruitful: open to life,
Faith-filled: centered on Christ.
In a world of disposable relationships, the Church proclaims that marriage is holy, and that God’s grace is truly present in the joys and trials of family life. A husband has his "vocation" in the family as well as the wife. They both share unique yet intertwining duties to one another and the family. That's what makes Sacramental marriages all that beautiful. And, there will be a formation course to go through before getting married where they discuss about each other, their duties, willingness to accept certain things, even family financial planning.
💖 Why the Sacraments Matter
The sacraments aren’t about “checking religious boxes.” They are how Christ continues to walk among us, how He touches us, teaches us, feeds us, forgives us, and sends us out in love.
They are:
Gifts, not burdens,
Encounters, not obligations,
Channels of grace, not empty rituals.
🌟 Come and See
To our brothers and sisters in other Christian traditions: we share much in common. And in these sacraments, we believe Christ offers a fullness of grace that is both biblical and beautiful. If your heart is stirred, don’t be afraid. Come and see.
And to the baptized Catholic who feels far away: Come home. The sacraments are waiting—not to scrutinize you, but to welcome you. Check out your local Landings program.
