Sacraments and holy mysteries
The Catholic Church teaches seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The Eucharist occupies a distinctive central place.
Scripture
- Matthew 28:19 — The risen Jesus commands the disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Acts 2:38–42 — Peter calls for repentance and baptism; the new community continues in teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer.
- 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 — Paul recounts Jesus' words over bread and cup and says the community proclaims his death when it shares them.
Primary sources
The Catechism lists:
The Catholic Catechism explicitly enumerates seven sacraments.
There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony.
Passage context and translation
The Catholic enumeration of seven sacraments; the biblical texts attached to the node do not enumerate seven.
Before the excerpt
Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law.
Sources and further reading
Related records
- The Seven Sacraments
- Living Catholic Faith
- Baptism: command, response, and early practice
- The Lord's Supper and Eucharist in context
- WHY SEVEN SACRAMENTS?
- Baptism and Christian initiation
- Sacraments, mysteries, and ordinances
- Chrismation and Confirmation
- Confession, Penance, and Absolution
- Anointing and Prayer for the Sick
- Holy Orders and Church Ministry
- Marriage and Matrimony
- Church, Worship, and Sacraments in the Fathers
- Mysteries