As Catholics, we have the great gift from God of the sacramental life of the Church. The Sacraments are outward signs, instituted by Christ, to enable us to come closer to the Father through the life of grace.

There are sacraments for all times and stages of life. At the start of life, we have the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. By these three sacraments we become fully part of the life of the Catholic Church.

Then we have the two Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation (sometimes called Confession or Penance) and Anointing. The Sacrament of Reconciliation heals us spiritually when our loving relationship with the Lord has faltered or broken down through our sinfulness or neglect. The Sacrament of Anointing gives us courage and strength when we are seriously ill; the Sacrament of Anointing is especially recommended before you have surgery – there are special prayers for this circumstance.

Finally, there are sacraments of State of Life, which help us to live out a particular calling in life. There is the Sacrament of Matrimony which a man and a woman gift to one another when they vow to love one another in faithfulness and forgiveness. Then there is the Sacrament of Holy Orders when a man is called by God to the Diaconate, the Priesthood or to be a Bishop.