THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
Part II of the Catechism of the Catholic Church entitled 'Celebration of the Christian Mystery' takes up over twenty two percent of the Catechism.This part has been described by one scholar as 'the jewel in the crown'.The word 'sacrament' is not in the Bible.The biblical root of the word sacrament is traced through Latin back to the Greek word 'mysterion' mystery, usually translated as 'plan'.The sacraments may be described as the wonderful, mysterious plan of God for our salvation.
Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of spiritual life (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1210).
If you have any questions regarding the reception of a particular sacrament please visit your Parish Priest and/or the Pastoral Assistant in your parish.