A person holding a plate with a piece of eggshell, possibly during a ritual or celebration

The Eucharist

As Catholics, we are blessed to be able to consume Jesus' Body and Blood in the sacrament of the Eucharist. The bread and wine turn into the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot see this happen because the bread and wine do not transform but transubstantiate into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. This is why it still tastes like bread and wine but is truly Christ present.

Painting of Jesus Christ with a glowing halo and a bird flying above. Jesus has a beard and long hair, with a calm expression. The figure beside him appears to be praying or blessing him, with similar hair and beard, surrounded by swirling colors.

Baptism

In the Sacrament of Baptism we are received into the Catholic Church as the priest says "I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Because the Catholic Church ordinarily has infant baptisms our parents select people they think will guide us and helps us live our faith, we call these people our godparents. At our baptism our godparents take our vows for us because we can not yet think and speak for ourselves.

A wooden confession booth with two doors featuring arched windows, set against a stone wall inside a church, with a small stand and microphone in front.

Reconciliation

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation also referred to as confession we confess our sins to a priest and the sins a then forgiven. The priest acts in the Persona Christi (person of Christ). This means that it is not the priest who heals you of your sins but Jesus. The Priest will not repeat any of our sins no matter how serious. Before the absolution the priest will give us a penance, usually a prayer. The penance can be said or done when you return to your seat. The box that the confessions are heard in is called the confessional.

A stained glass ceiling featuring a dove with outspread wings, illuminated from behind, with ornate golden sculptures on the sides.

Confirmation

In the Sacrament of Confirmation we receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. The people who are getting confirmed are called confirmandi. The Bishop confirms the confirmandi with the laying on of hands and then he anoints them with the Sacred Chrism. When we get confirmed we pick a saint to pray for us every day.

Two gold wedding rings stacked on an open Bible with yellow ribbon marker.

matrimony

In the Sacrament of Matrimony two people are permanently married together. The Sacrament makes an unbreakable bond between the couple. The three common vows taken by a couple are fidelity, the willingness to accept children, and a permanent union between them

People attending a church service with some wearing masks. A priest is standing at the altar with clergy members, while others are standing and seated in the pews, some holding papers or forming an orderly arrangement.

holy orders

In the Sacrament of Holy Orders a man lays down his life for the church and takes vows to the church. They can become priests, deacons, and enter the religious life. During their ordination the Litany of Saints is sung while they lie before the alter laying down their lives for the church. 

A painting of a young man lying on a bed with an IV in his arm, while a woman kneels beside him.

annointing of the sick

In the Sacrament Anointing of the Sick an ill or near death person is anointed and prayed for. The sacrament heals spiritually but can sometimes also heal someone physically.