Introduction to Sacraments

The Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by
Christ
and entrusted to the Church, through which Divine life is given. There
are seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation,
Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders. Sacraments are
classified as Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and the
Eucharist), Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation and Anointing of the
Sick), and Sacraments of Commitment (Matrimony and Holy Orders). The
Eucharist occupies a unique place as the Sacrament of Sacraments and
all the other Sacraments are ordered to it as to their end.
“The seven sacraments touch all the stages 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 the spiritual life
According to the Second Vatican Council, “The purpose of the
sacraments is to sanctify men, to build up the body of Christ, and
finally, to give worship to God. Because they are signs they also
instruct. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and objects they
also nourish, strengthen, and express it; that is why they are called
‘sacraments of faith.’ They do indeed impart grace,
but, in
addition, the very act of celebrating them disposes the faithful most
effectively to receive this grace in a fruitful manner, to worship God
duly, and to practice charity” (Sacred Constitution on the
Liturgy, 59).
The seven sacraments are God's gift to each us. They allow us to grow
closer to him and to deepen our faith and commitment to the Church.
Saint Peter Chuch is pleased to offer parishioners a chance to deepen
their personal faith through the seven sacraments. We have enriching
programs to support your growth and experience the sacraments. Please
use the links to explore and learn more about the sacraments and our
sacrament preparation programs.