The Roman Catholic Church has seven holy sacraments that are divine grace, instituted by Christ. Each is celebrated with a visible rite, which reflects the invisible, spiritual essence of the sacrament. Some of the sacraments are received only once, others require active and ongoing participation to foster the living faith of the celebrant.

Baptism is an admission to the faith, bringing sanctifying grace to the person being baptized. Baptism of infants is the most common form, but unbaptized children, or adults who wish to join the faith, must also receive the sacrament.

A person is to be baptized only once in their life. The Catholic Church recognizes baptisms performed by most other Christian denominations, as valid.

In the rite of baptism holy water is usually sprinkled, or poured, on the head by a priest who simultaneously invokes the Trinity with the words:,

I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The old self is said to die in the waters, and a new self emerges, mirroring the death and resurrection of Christ. Given that the sacrament is understood as a requirement for salvation, anyone, even non-baptized persons, can baptize someone as the situation requires.

The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is a sacrament of initiation and can be received daily if desired. It is the central rite of Catholic faith.

A baptized child's First Communion is typically celebrated around age seven or eight, and is preceded by their first confession (the sacrament of Reconciliation).

During the Mass the priest consecrates bread and wine, the elements of the Eucharist, which are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ. As a memorial of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and in a reflection of his Last Supper with his disciples, the congregation then shares in the sacred meal. Special lay ministers (i.e., non-priests) are trained to bring the consecrated elements to the ill, or otherwise homebound, so that all Catholics can participate.

Confirmation is the third sacrament of initiation and serves to confirm a baptized person in their faith. The rite of confirmation can occur as early as age 7 for children who were baptized as infants but is commonly received around age 13; it is performed immediately after baptism for adult converts.

A bishop, or priest, normally performs the rite, which includes the laying on of hands in prayer and blessing and the anointing of the forehead with chrism (holy oil) with the words, Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In so sealing that person as a member of the church, the outward rite of confirmation signifies the inner presence of the Holy Spirit, who is believed to provide the strength to live out a life of faith. At confirmation a Catholic may symbolically take the name of a Saint to be his or her patron.

Anointing of the Sick, is a sacrament that is administered to give strength and comfort to the ill and unite their suffering with that of Christ during his Passion and death.

This sacrament can be given to those who are afflicted with serious illness or injury, those who are awaiting surgery, the weakened elderly, or to ill children who are old enough to understand its significance. A person can receive the sacrament as many times as needed throughout their life, and a person with a chronic illness might be anointed again if the disease worsens.

The rite can be performed in a home or hospital by a priest, who prays over the person and anoints their head and hands with chrism (holy oil). The priest may also administer the sacrament of the Eucharist if the person has been unable to receive it and can hear a confession if so desired. If a person is at the point of death, the priest also administers a special Apostolic blessing in what is known as the Last Rites.

In Catholicism marriage is a sacrament that a baptized man and a baptized woman administer to each other through their marriage vows and lifelong partnership. Given that to a Catholic sacramental marriage reflects the union of Christ with the church as his mystical body, marriage is understood to be an indissoluble union.

The rite commonly takes place during a mass, with a priest serving as the minister of the mass and as a witness to the mutual consent of the couple. The marriage union is used to sanctify both the husband and wife by drawing them into a deeper understanding of God’s love and is intended to be fruitful, with any children to be raised within the teachings of the church.

Ordination, or Holy Orders, is a sacrament that is available only to men who are being ordained as deacons, priests, or bishops. As with Baptism and Confirmation, the sacrament is said to convey a special indelible character on the soul of the recipient.

During the rite, which typically occurs during a special Sunday mass, a prayer and blessing is offered as a bishop lays his hands on the head of the man being ordained. In the case of the ordination of priests and bishops, this act confers the sacramental power to ordain (for bishops), baptize, confirm, witness marriages, absolve sins, and consecrate the Eucharist.

Deacons can baptize, witness marriages, preach, and assist during the mass, but they cannot consecrate the Eucharist or hear confessions. With the exception of married deacons, an order restored by the Second Vatican Council, all ordained men are to be celibate.