The Catholic Church has taught that the sacraments were given to the church as a way for God, through the Church, to convey his grace and power to those who took part in the sacraments ... and that this grace and power from God then enables those who receive the sacraments to do works pleasing to God.
The Catechism of the Council of Trent, published in 1566, described the seven sacraments of the Church as "the sacraments of the New Law instituted by Jesus Christ." The catechism also affirmed that these actions "conferred grace through the act performed."
Under current definition by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops, "through the Sacraments, God shares his holiness with us so that we, in turn, can make the world holier."
The seven sacraments of the Catholic Church are:
- Baptism
- Eucharist (the Mass)
- Reconciliation (formerly called Penance)
- Confirmation
- Anointing of the Sick (formerly referred to as Last Rites or Extreme Unction)
- Marriage
- Ordination
Note that an individual can participate in six, not seven, of the sacraments, because those ordained into clergy roles are expected to remain celibate and unmarried.
