The Seven Sacraments

A sacrament is a visible sign by which spiritual grace is given to us through Christ.

There exist seven sacraments. However, it is very rare that one person receives all seven sacraments in his lifetime, as women may not receive Holy Orders and men may only receive both Holy Orders and Matrimony under special circumstances.

The order in which the sacraments are administered may vary.

Characteristics of the Sacraments

• Efficacious: Christ Himself works through them.
• Irrevocable: No sacrament can be revoked or removed. Only the Sacraments of Healing can be repeated.
• Necessary for salvation.

The Seven Sacraments

Sacraments of Christian Initiation

• Baptism
• Confirmation
• Eucharist

Sacraments of Healing

• Penance/Reconciliation
• Anointing of the Sick

Sacraments at the Service of Communion

• Holy Orders
• Matrimony

Protestantism

Amongst the Protestant Christian denominations the seven sacraments are somewhat dumbed down. The only important sacraments are baptism which is completely different from in the Catholic religion and marriage which is for the most part similar. The sacrament of Communion is only a symbol of the Last Supper. Baptism usually takes place when the youth is older and can choose their religious beliefs (they usually stay their own sect). In the Amish religion, baptism and marriage are connected when the youth gets married, they choose whether they will stay Amish, join a new religion, or become agnostic of an atheist.